التكنولوجيا وأخبارها بوابة الإمارات لتكنولوجيا المعلومات والإتصالات
The UAE has seen an influx of professionals from an environmental background come into the region – with this increasing by +26% in the past 12 months.
According to analysis from global recruitment firm Robert Walters – demand for professionals in this field is very high – with the increase in talent pool meaning there are now around 35,000+ professionals in the UAE who list sustainability and environmental compliance as a primary skillset.
The findings come in advance of COP28 – which will see over 80,000 delegates descend in Dubai at the end of November for a two-week program of events, seminars and high-level meetings to drive forward the international movement tackling climate change.
Zara Qureshi – Principal Consultant at Robert Walters Dubai comments:
“It is no surprise that there has been such a demand for skillsets aligned to sustainability – in particular in the past
few years where we have seen rigorous activity around diversifying income streams away from oil.
“The large base of international firms striving for sustainability excellence, and
the UAE’s goal to become a global hub and a centre for the export of green products and technologies,
will only further drive demand for professionals in this area, and will fast-track the region into global hub status for the new green economy.”
Demand Rife
According to findings from Robert Walters, the packaging industry has been the biggest recruiter in the UAE for
environment and sustainability specialists – with a +79% increase in job
roles – followed by the healthcare (+79%) and the hospitality sector (+64%).
With the UAE forecasting a 32% increase in the sale of electric vehicles – and the government planning to launch a national
policy to support the sector’s growth – it comes as no surprise to see a +61% increase in sustainability-related job roles within the automotive sector.
The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) recently announced the implementation of one of the first sustainable finance frameworks in the region – which will encompass rules on sustainability-oriented investment funds,
discretionary-managed portfolios, bonds, and sukuks, as well as requirements for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosures by ADGM-domiciled companies.
In line with that, job vacancies for sustainability specialists has grown by +54% across the banking & financial services sector in the UAE.
Zara adds: “There isn’t a single sector that is not looking to improve their environmental or sustainability credentials in the UAE – and with the increase in job roles on the market will come an increase in international talent and salary growth.”
COP28 Driving Job Growth
Back in June last year, the organisers of COP28 engaged with Robert Walters and its international reach across 31 countries to help hire specialist talent for the upcoming event.
Zara comments: “A job role for within COP28 is not only a prestige opportunity but also requires a unique set of individuals who are knowledgeable and experienced around their specialist area, well-connected within the field, and driven and passionate enough to deliver on a short 18-month project.
“The recruitment strategy I undertook was wholly unique – approaching ex-UN and government officials as well as casting the net wide internationally.
We have now placed around a third of the 250+ professionals hired to help deliver COP28.”
