The Sustainability Profession - Signs for A Bright Year Ahead.

Dear Friends, Colleagues, and Connections,

As we step into the new year, I’d like to share some reflections, focusing on the sustainability and clean tech job market. My hope is that these insights resonate with you and offer encouragement as we move forward, leaving many of 2024’s uncertainties behind us.

Is the ‘Sustainability Recession’ real?

In 2024, American author Andrew Winston developed the concept of the Sustainability Recession (originally credited to John Elkington) to describe a slowdown in corporate sustainability efforts. If Acre serves as a barometer for the health of sustainability-related jobs, the data does suggest a plateauing in sustainability hiring since 2022. However, there are important nuances to consider.

First, Acre has performed as well as, if not better than, recruitment companies in other markets during this period. Second, the recruitment industry experienced an unprecedented boom in 2021, spurred by the post-COVID recovery. Acre more than doubled in size over the 18 months that followed, marking one of our most prolific growth periods across all our markets in EMEA, the Americas and Asia. Naturally, when the market cooled, the decline felt more significant than it may have been in absolute terms. A colleague shared with me PWC’s Green Job Barometer which suggested a 9.2% increase in the advertising of such jobs in 2024 compared to the prior year – Green jobs are typically hard to define, but either way, growth is good news.

Wilson’s key argument remains pressing: the urgency of the climate crisis cannot afford hesitation from companies or governments. Sustainability efforts must not be sidelined, regardless of market fluctuations. He also acknowledged in late 2024 that the Sustainability Recession will end soon "Sustainability is coming back—perhaps in an electric vehicle this time, so you might not hear it coming. But you might want to jump in".

?

Where are the inspiring sustainability events?

For those who have been in the sustainability field in the UK for many years, you may remember Green Mondays, which later evolved into The Crowd (I know there is a newer incarnation of the Crowd but I am less familiar with it). Founded by Ben Patten and subsequently led by Jim Woods , it was, in my view, an outstanding initiative that is still greatly missed. They actively advanced the sustainability conversation, bringing blue-chip CEOs to the stage without ever resorting to a "pay-to-speak" model. This was a testament to their integrity and focus on substance and impact.

Reflecting on this, I’ve attended a few large-scale sustainability events last year that felt more commoditised and lacked the cutting-edge energy that The Crowd delivered. Perhaps there’s an opportunity in the market for a new, high-integrity sustainability event that prioritises meaningful dialogue and innovation? The best event I attended in 2024 was at the Churchill Fellowship , where John Elkington and Lucy Parker shared original, enlightened perspectives on sustainability and the future. Their insights reminded me of what truly impactful events can offer.

?

Positive tipping points

I've been inspired by the “Positive Tipping Point” research from University of Exeter , led by Professor Tim Lenton. While much of climate science focuses on negative tipping points - critical thresholds that, once crossed, accelerate climate change - Professor Lenton and his team have highlighted the potential for Positive Tipping Points. These are moments when small, incremental actions converge to trigger transformative, large-scale changes in systems, creating a cascading effect toward sustainability.

One compelling example is how rapidly falling battery prices can reshape the economics of solar power and electric vehicles, sparking a positive feedback loop of increased investment and innovation in battery technology and manufacturing.

I find in this theory a good deal of hope. The challenges we face often seem overwhelming, but the idea that smaller advances across technological, economic, and social systems can combine to accelerate change is profoundly reassuring. If you’re curious to learn more, you can explore the research here: Positive Tipping Points – Exeter University.

?

Ending the year on a high

Acre closed the year on a strong note, recording the highest volume of job mandates over an eight-month period across our four offices. This momentum offers a hopeful signal that the sustainability and clean tech job markets are beginning to gain traction. The coming months will be pivotal in revealing whether this positive trend continues.

I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our exceptional team at Acre for their dedication and hard work. Wishing you all a successful, fulfilling, and inspiring year ahead!