South Asia’s transition toward a greener economy presents both challenges and opportunities for one of the world’s largest labor forces. A new study suggests that many workers in the region will not need to completely change careers to participate in emerging green industries. Instead, a large share of the workforce can adapt existing skills through targeted training and upskilling, making the transition more achievable and inclusive.
The region is home to approximately 1.4 billion working-age people, with hundreds of millions more expected to join the labor market in the coming decades. As countries work to reduce emissions, address climate risks, and maintain economic growth, the demand for workers with skills relevant to clean energy, sustainable manufacturing, climate-smart agriculture, energy-efficient construction, and other green sectors is expected to increase significantly.
Research covering Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka reveals that green jobs are already an important part of the regional economy. Around one in four jobs in South Asia is classified as green, although the share varies among countries. These jobs extend beyond renewable energy and include occupations across agriculture, construction, manufacturing, logistics, and services that support environmentally sustainable practices and technologies.
The study finds that occupational mobility toward greener employment is feasible for many workers. Approximately 57 percent of workers currently employed in non-green occupations could move into greener roles with only limited reskilling. Another 16 percent would require moderate upskilling, while 27 percent would need more substantial skills reconversion. These findings indicate that the green transition is less about replacing workers and more about helping them adapt to changing labor market demands.
Significant differences exist across countries. In India, a large majority of non-green workers could transition into green occupations with relatively limited training, while countries such as the Maldives face greater challenges due to larger skills gaps. These variations highlight the need for country-specific strategies rather than a uniform regional approach.
Green jobs also tend to offer economic benefits. On average, workers in green occupations earn wages that are about 12 percent higher than those in comparable non-green jobs. However, employment quality remains uneven, as many green workers are self-employed and may lack formal contracts or social protection. Ensuring a fair and inclusive transition will require efforts to improve job quality and expand opportunities for women, youth, and informal workers.
To support the transition, experts recommend a dual strategy. The first priority is reskilling and upskilling the existing workforce through practical learning methods such as apprenticeships, modular training programs, short courses, and industry-led initiatives. These approaches can help workers adapt without leaving employment for extended periods.
The second priority is preparing future workers through education and training systems that integrate green skills into existing curricula. Rather than creating separate green education tracks, schools, vocational institutions, universities, and training providers can embed sustainability-related competencies across a wide range of programs and disciplines.
Successful implementation will require collaboration among governments, businesses, educational institutions, and development partners. Efforts such as setting occupational standards, financing priority training programs, strengthening labor market information systems, and supporting disadvantaged groups can help ensure that the benefits of the green transition are widely shared.
As South Asia continues its economic and demographic transformation, building relevant skills will be critical to ensuring that workers can access emerging opportunities. The region’s green future will depend not only on investments in technology and infrastructure but also on the ability of education and training systems to equip people with the skills needed for a rapidly evolving labor market.
