New York has emerged as a hub for sustainability-focused careers due to state-level policies and corporate commitments to achieving carbon neutrality and meeting Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. The New York Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) on July 18, 2019 mandates that the state achieve 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85% by 2050 (compared to 1990 levels), Net-zero emissions economy-wide by 2050. This law has been a major driver of sustainability initiatives in New York, influencing corporate policies and increasing demand for sustainability-related jobs across sectors like energy, real estate, and finance.

 

What are the key growth areas in Sustainability Jobs in New York? 

 

  • Corporate ESG Roles: Companies headquartered in New York (like financial institutions, consulting firms, and media corporations) are hiring sustainability managers, analysts, and ESG compliance officers to meet regulatory and investor demands.
  • Clean Energy Jobs: The transition to renewables (solar, wind) and energy efficiency projects also drives demand for roles such as renewable energy project managers, sustainability engineers, and green building consultants.
  • Circular Economy and Supply Chain Roles: There’s an increased focus on waste reduction, sustainable and responsible sourcing, and lifecycle assessments, particularly in industries like retail, fashion, and consumer goods.
  • Carbon Accounting and Net-Zero Strategy Roles: Organizations are looking increasingly for specialists in carbon accounting and climate strategy to help them achieve decarbonization goals.

There is an increasing focus on Diversity, Equity and Justice (DEI) in Sustainability

Many sustainability roles in New York prioritize equity and inclusion as part of the broader focus on environmental justice, aligning with the CLCPA’s goals of addressing the disproportionate environmental impact on disadvantaged communities.

The Sustainability Consulting keeps growing with specialist roles while offering entry-level positions

Sustainability consulting firms, including McKinsey & Company, Deloitte, and PwC, Ernst & Young, have offices in New York, hiring for ESG advisory roles to support clients across industries. They are typically open to hiring more junior roles and providing in-house training, creating a bridge for professionals to enter the sustainability job market. Additionally, they hire subject matter experts, such as policy advisors and carbon accounting and reporting specialists, to address more technical and strategic needs.

To understand the growth and dynamics of sustainability jobs in New York, we analyzed data from job platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor, focusing on job postings in New York State and observed that the sustainability jobs have increased 19% YoY since 2020.

Year Number of Sustainability Job Postings in New York Key Trends
2020 ~9,000 Growth in renewable energy roles as New York prioritized green recovery amid COVID-19.
2021 ~11,500 Increased demand for ESG specialists and corporate sustainability managers post-pandemic.
2022 ~13,200 Expansion in roles tied to renewable energy, green building retrofits (Local Law 97), and carbon accounting.
2023 ~15,000 Surge in green finance and clean energy roles due to continued investment in CLCPA-related initiatives.

Top Companies in New York with Sustainability Teams Hiring Professionals Regularly? 

 

1. Finance and Investment:

 

  • BlackRock: The world’s largest asset manager is based in New York and heavily invested in sustainable finance. They often hire ESG analysts and sustainability professionals.
  • Morgan Stanley: Actively recruits for roles in ESG and sustainability within its Global Sustainable Finance division.
  • Goldman Sachs: Based in New York and hiring for roles tied to green finance and carbon markets.

 

2. Energy and Utilities:

  • Con Edison: New York’s utility company is hiring sustainability analysts and engineers for its renewable energy initiatives and electrification projects.
  • National Grid: Focused on grid decarbonization and renewable energy.

 

3. Real Estate and Construction:

  • SL Green Realty: One of New York’s largest real estate firms is focusing on energy-efficient buildings and LEED certifications, hiring sustainability managers and analysts.
  • Tishman Speyer: Actively hiring for green building and energy efficiency roles.

 

4. Retail and Consumer Goods:

  • Estée Lauder Companies: Hiring sustainability experts for product lifecycle management and supply chain optimization.
  • Warby Parker: Focused on sustainable packaging and carbon reduction.

 

5. Consulting and Advisory:

  • McKinsey & Company, Deloitte, and PwC: All have strong ESG consulting practices in New York and are consistently hiring sustainability consultants and analysts.

 

6. Nonprofits and NGOs:

  • Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Advocacy and environmental justice roles.
  • The Nature Conservancy: Sustainability managers for climate change initiatives.

These are just a few examples of companies regularly hiring ESG and sustainability Professionals in the state of New York.

How New York State sustainability job market compares with other US States?

New York consistently ranks among the top states for sustainability-related jobs, alongside California and Massachusetts. Here’s how New York compares:

Category New York Other Leading States
Market Size Large, driven by finance, energy, real estate, and consulting with 15,000 job postings in 2023 California leads in clean energy and tech sustainability with 15,000 job postings in 2023; Texas in renewable energy with 8,000 job postings
Energy Sector Focus on urban electrification, building retrofits, and renewable integration (wind, solar). California with Solar energy and Texas with wind energy and oil & gas decarbonization

 

New York takes the second place of the 4 most dynamic sustainability job market in the Unites states in 2023, based on our data collection from job platforms such as Linkedin, Indeed , and Glassdoor.

1. California:

Job Postings in 2023: ~18,000.

  • Focus Areas: Renewable energy (solar, wind), electric vehicles, and tech-based climate solutions (Silicon Valley leadership).
  • Federal Dependency: Relatively low due to its progressive state policies and high private sector investment.

2. New York:

Job Postings in 2023: ~15,000.

  • Focus Areas: ESG compliance, green finance, carbon accounting, renewable energy, and building retrofits.
  • Strength: Strong state-level policies (CLCPA, Local Law 97) and global financial leadership driving sustainability demand.

3. Massachusetts:

Job Postings in 2023: ~9,000.

·       Focus Areas: Clean energy innovation (especially offshore wind), green building initiatives, and academic research.

·       Strength: Strong public-private partnerships and the presence of top-tier universities driving innovation.

4. Texas:

Job Postings in 2023: ~8,000.

  • Focus Areas: Renewable energy (wind energy dominance), energy transition management, and oil and gas decarbonization.
  • Challenges: Political dynamics can create barriers for broader green initiatives compared to states like New York.

 

The election of Donald Trump last November and inauguration speeches in January 2025 have introduced uncertainties in the sustainability job market in the United states and in New York States in particular, given his administration’s historical stance on climate change and environmental regulations during his first term (2017–2021). Despite federal shifts, New York is likely to continue leading sustainability efforts due to its progressive state policies, such as the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). Many companies headquartered in New York, particularly in finance, real estate, and tech, remain committed to their own ESG goals, which are often independent of federal mandates. Large cities like New York City also implement their own sustainability policies, such as Local Law 97, which imposes emission caps on buildings. These localized regulations will sustain demand for green jobs regardless of federal actions. In addition, increasing pressure from investors and consumers for ESG accountability will likely keep driving growth in sustainability roles. New York, as a global financial hub, will likely maintain leadership in ESG compliance, green finance, and carbon accounting.

Discover Sustainability Jobs in New York and the United states with EnableGreen here.

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EnableGreen New York is a premier sustainability recruitment and executive search firm with offices in New York, London, and Dubai. We serve corporate organizations worldwide across various industries, specializing in connecting top talent with opportunities in the ESG and sustainability sectors. Our mission is to deliver best-in-class services to clients and candidates while offering deep insights into the evolving sustainability market.