A new LinkedIn report states that Gen Z professionals in the UAE are passionate about climate action but lack the green skills needed to turn that passion into careers.

While the UAE boasts the second-highest concentration of green talent in the MENA region across generations, Gen Z lags behind their older counterparts. Millennials currently make up the bulk (65%) of the UAE’s green workforce, while Gen Z represents only 15%.

This disparity isn’t due to a lack of concern. About 72% of UAE Gen Z professionals are worried about climate change, with over half reporting “eco-anxiety” — the negative mental health impact of environmental issues. This concern translates into action: 59% have made lifestyle changes to reduce their carbon footprint.

These environmentally conscious values follow them into the workplace. A significant portion (61%) would consider rejecting a job offer from a company with weak environmental policies. Additionally, 59% express interest in pursuing green jobs within the next five years, driven by a desire to protect the planet (57%), appealing career opportunities (51%), and potentially higher salaries (49%).

However, a significant roadblock exists in awareness. Only 30% of Gen Z professionals in the UAE are familiar with available green career paths, with a staggering 63% believing there’s a lack of green job opportunities. Additionally, just 16% feel confident about access to training needed to acquire relevant skills.

This lack of accessibility poses a challenge for the UAE’s green ambitions. While initiatives like the COP28 Youth Climate Delegates program highlight the nation’s commitment to youth participation in climate solutions, long-term progress hinges on bridging the green skills gap.

Gen Z themselves offer solutions. Over 60% want financial support for green skills training, while more than half call for employer-driven programs and government incentives.

Ali Matar, EMEA Growth Markets Leader at LinkedIn, emphasizes the importance of listening to this generation. “Gen Z professionals are projected to represent over a quarter of the international labor force by 2025, so employers must listen more closely to them. This generation is becoming increasingly aware of their role in addressing environmental issues. The first step for them is to acquire the green skills that would enable them to do so, an endeavor that would require the full weight of the labor market actors.”

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