ESG, or Environmental, Social, and Governance, has risen as one of the fastest-growing fields in the business world. Investors and corporations alike are increasingly recognizing the need to incorporate sustainability into their core business strategies. This heightened awareness has generated a surge in demand for leaders and executives with a strong focus on ESG across all industries.

The emergence of sustainability-focused leadership positions has made them some of the most sought-after roles to ensure an organisation’s success in the business world.  Consequently, executive recruitment firms are instrumental in achieving that success and are adapting their strategies to identify the most suitable talent for these pivotal roles.

This shift in paradigm towards building sustainable businesses has challenged executive recruiters to not only evaluate candidates based on their traditional skillsets and experiences but also on their ESG credentials.

LinkedIn’s Global Green Skills Report 2023 confirms an encouraging trend. The proportion of green talent has seen an annual growth rate of 5.4% from 2018 to 2023 across the 48 surveyed nations. On the other hand, the surge in demand for green expertise is surpassing the expansion of the workforce in this domain, suggesting an impending scarcity of green skills. During the same period, the demand for green skills has surged by 9.2%.
​
Furthermore, between 2022 and 2023 alone, the share of green talent in the workforce rose by a median of 12.3%,  while the share of job postings requiring at least one green skill grew nearly twice as quickly — by a median of 22.4%.

Interestingly, the study also suggests that ‘green skills, and the jobs that require them, are especially resilient during times of economic uncertainty. While overall hiring slowed globally between February 2022 and February 2023, job postings requiring at least one green skill have grown by a median of 15.2% over the same period.’

While many organisations are still in the process of forming ESG or sustainability teams, there is a considerable demand for executives who can provide strategic guidance and leadership in this domain.

For individuals aspiring to ESG executive roles, it is crucial to cultivate essential skills:

  • Strategic Alignment: Executives must develop and execute ESG strategies that align seamlessly with their organisation’s overarching business objectives.
  • Effective Communication: Executives should possess the ability to articulate convincingly to both internal and external stakeholders the benefits of ESG initiatives  as a catalyst for business growth and enhancing stakeholders value.
  • Adaptability: Given the ever-evolving sustainability regulatory and reporting landscape, ESG executives must stay abreast of the latest standards and employ them to enhance their organisation’s sustainability objectives and reporting.
  • Mastery of Metrics: A comprehensive grasp of various ESG indicators and their application in gauging progress is essential.

​From the perspective of an executive recruitment company, several noteworthy trends are taking shape:

  1. Experience in Sustainability: Companies are increasingly prioritizing executives with prior experience in sustainability. As sustainability becomes an integral part of business operations, individuals with expertise in this area will be in high demand.
  2. ESG Criteria: ESG criteria will assume greater significance in the candidate selection process. Candidates will need to demonstrate their understanding of and dedication to ESG issues to be considered for these roles.
  3. ESG Impact on Compensation: ESG will play a pivotal role in determining executive compensation. Executives who can effectively navigate ESG challenges, balance the interests of various stakeholders, and drive their companies toward prosperity will receive commensurate rewards.

As the business landscape progressively shifts its focus toward ESG, the role of Senior Leaders and Managers in this arena is paramount. The ability to identify and secure the right talent for these roles is where EnableGreen sustainability-focused executive recruitment firm excel. Our expertise ensures that organisations can identify and secure the perfect candidate to drive their ESG initiatives forward. If you’re seeking assistance with executive search in the ESG field, EnableGreen is here to assist.

Our team of experts possesses the skills and experience necessary to connect you with the ideal ESG executive for your organisation’s specific needs. Contact us today at contact@enable.green to explore how we can help you identify and hire the right ESG executive.

Author: Hayatte Loukili