Green Jobs Are Rising Across South Asia but Workers Need Urgent Reskilling

A World Bank-backed study finds that nearly one in four jobs in South Asia is already “green,” and most non-green workers could transition into greener roles with limited retraining. The report warns that the region’s climate goals will depend heavily on investments in skills, vocational training, and education reforms to prepare workers for a changing economy.

As South Asian countries push toward cleaner growth and lower carbon emissions, a new World Bank-backed study says the success of the green transition will depend heavily on whether millions of workers can adapt to changing job markets. The report, prepared by researchers from the World Bank, Universidad de los Andes in Colombia, and Argentina's CEDLAS research center, examines labor markets in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

The study argues that climate action is no longer just an environmental issue. It is also becoming a major employment challenge. Governments may invest in renewable energy and sustainable industries, but without workers who have the right skills, the transition could stall and deepen inequality.

One in Four Jobs Already Counts as "Green"

Using an international occupational framework known as O*NET, the researchers estimate that around 24 percent of jobs in South Asia are already considered green. These include jobs linked to environmentally sustainable activities or occupations expected to adapt to greener production methods in the future.

However, defining a green job remains difficult. Different international methods produce very different estimates. Some suggest green employment could be as low as 3 percent, while others estimate it at more than 70 percent. The researchers say this happens because countries and institutions define "green work" differently, ranging from renewable energy jobs to occupations that simply use some environmentally friendly practices.

The study also reveals that green jobs in South Asia are mostly concentrated in urban areas and are heavily male-dominated. Across the region, men are far more likely to work in green occupations than women. Industry accounts for the largest share of green jobs in most countries, although agriculture remains important in some economies such as the Maldives.

Green Jobs Are Not Always High-Tech or Formal

Contrary to popular belief, many green jobs in South Asia are not high-paying technology or engineering roles. A large share of green workers are self-employed, informal workers, or small business owners without written contracts or social security benefits.

Some of the most common green occupations identified in the report may surprise readers. Shopkeepers are among the largest green occupational groups in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. In India, construction and labor-related occupations dominate green employment estimates.

The researchers explain that many jobs are classified as green not because they directly involve renewable energy or environmental protection, but because they are expected to adopt greener practices over time. This means the green economy is broader than just solar panels and electric vehicles.

Most Workers Can Transition with Limited Training

The report's most important finding is that the majority of workers in non-green jobs could move into greener occupations without needing completely new careers.

According to the study, 57 percent of non-green workers in South Asia would require only limited retraining to transition into greener jobs. Another 16 percent would need moderate upskilling, while 27 percent would require major retraining and a complete change in skills.

The authors say this is encouraging because it means most jobs are likely to evolve gradually rather than disappear entirely. For example, construction workers may only need short training programs to learn energy-efficient building techniques, while technicians moving into renewable energy sectors may require more advanced certification and formal education.

The level of difficulty differs across countries. India appears relatively well-positioned because many workers can shift into green jobs with small amounts of retraining, while countries such as the Maldives face bigger challenges that may require deeper investments in education and workforce development.

Green Jobs Pay More but Risks Remain

The study also finds that green jobs generally pay better. Across South Asia, workers in green occupations earn about 12 percent more per hour than workers in non-green jobs after accounting for age, education, and gender.

This wage premium could encourage workers and companies to invest in green skills. But the report warns that relying only on market forces could leave poorer and less educated workers behind. Without access to training and education, many workers may struggle to benefit from the green transition.

The researchers therefore call for stronger vocational education systems, workplace training programs, and public-private partnerships to help workers adapt. They argue that governments need a dual strategy: helping today's workers reskill while also preparing future generations through education reforms focused on green industries.

The report concludes that South Asia's green transition is possible and scalable, but only if countries invest as seriously in people and skills as they do in climate goals.