Thailand's race to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 will depend not only on investment in clean technologies, but also on whether it can quickly build a workforce with the skills to support the green transition.
With the government bringing its net-zero target forward by 15 years, demand for workers with green skills is expected to accelerate across industries, from renewable energy and electric vehicles (EVs) to sustainable finance and climate reporting.
Green skills challenge
"One of the biggest challenges for Thailand in reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 is the workforce because we do not have enough people to deliver it," Jason Lee, head of sustainability at CIMB Thai Bank, told the Bangkok Post.
At the 30th UN Climate Change Conference in Belém, Brazil, Thailand committed to bringing forward its net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target from 2065 to 2050, while also pledging to reduce net emissions by 47% by 2035. The Thai government also promised to train 5 million workers as part of the country's transition to a low-carbon economy.
According to Mr Lee, Thailand needs a growing number of workers in "green" jobs to design renewable energy projects, structure sustainable finance, prepare emissions inventories, and redesign production processes to make them cleaner and more efficient.
The shortage of these workers is already evident, and Thailand has less time than many countries to close the skills gap.
He said green jobs extend far beyond the common perception of installing solar panels. Most demand is not for entirely new occupations, but for existing roles that are taking on additional environmental responsibilities -- what LinkedIn describes as "greening jobs".
An accountant, for example, must now prepare climate disclosures under the International Sustainability Standards Board's IFRS S2 standard. Procurement officers increasingly evaluate suppliers based on their emissions performance and source environmentally-friendly products. Mechanics trained to service internal combustion engines (ICE) must learn to work with electric drivetrains.
"The most important question for Thailand is not how many new green jobs will be created, but how many existing workers need retraining simply to continue doing their current jobs," Mr Lee said.
This challenge is significantly larger than the number of newly created green jobs, yet it receives far less attention. While much discussion focuses on artificial intelligence, Thailand must urgently prepare its existing workforce for the transition to a green economy, he said.
Demand for talent
According to Thailand Development Research Institute, around 1 million job ads were posted in Thailand between 2022 and mid-2023. Around 70,000 positions or 7% were classified as green jobs, primarily in sustainability reporting, sustainable engineering, carbon management and energy modelling.
"The research found these jobs exist and pay well, but there are not enough qualified people to fill them," Mr Lee said, adding Thailand's shortage reflects a broader global trend.
Demand for green skills has roughly doubled over the past several years. Boston Consulting Group estimates the global shortage of skilled green energy workers could reach 7 million by 2030.
He said Thailand, as the region's automotive manufacturing hub, is well-positioned to capitalise on the transition to EVs while retraining its workforce to meet the sector's evolving needs.
Automotive manufacturing is one of Thailand's core industrial strengths, contributing about 3% of GDP and supporting around 10% of economic activity indirectly through the broader supply chain.
Under the "EV30@30" policy, Thailand aims for zero-emission vehicles to account for 30% of total domestic vehicle production by 2030. The policy is expected to reshape not only consumer demand, but also industrial production.
As production shifts from ICE vehicles to EVs, the nature of work on factory floors will also change. Demand for traditional engine and transmission assembly will decline, while skills in battery systems, power electronics, high-voltage safety, diagnostics and software-enabled manufacturing will become increasingly important.
Mr Lee said the transition would not eliminate every automotive job, as many workers can adapt their skills and suppliers could diversify their capabilities.
However, occupations that rely heavily on ICE components will face increasing pressure, making workforce retraining essential, although it alone will not be enough ward off job loss, he noted.
"Some jobs will be transformed, some will move up the value chain, and some will not survive the shift. Without workforce upgrades to match industrial upgrades, Thailand risks creating a redundancy pipeline instead of delivering a just transition," said Mr Lee.
Just transition
The International Labour Organization introduced its Just Transition Guidelines in 2015 to ensure the shift to a low-carbon economy is fair, inclusive and protects workers and communities most affected by the transition.
The principles are reflected in the Paris Agreement, which promotes decent work, social dialogue among governments, employers and workers, social protection for displaced employees, and a commitment to ensure that no one is left behind.
Mr Lee said Thailand has incorporated the concept of a just transition through a collaboration between the National Economic and Social Development Council, the UN and Thammasat University to develop the Just Transition Assessment Model.
The model is designed to assess the social and economic impacts of the energy transition, including its effects on employment, household income and energy systems.
"While Thailand's just transition framework is now in place, my concern is execution. Although significant funding is available to support workforce and community adjustment, much of it remains untapped," he said.
Mr Lee argued that green skills development cannot be treated as a standalone education programme.
"Skills development must become part of Thailand's broader industrial strategy, supported by labour policies that facilitate workforce upgrades, redeployment and protection for displaced workers," he noted.
To accelerate the transition, Mr Lee recommended three immediate policy priorities.
First, regulation should drive demand. As climate disclosure requirements become more stringent, companies will increasingly need professionals who can measure emissions, improve energy efficiency and assess climate-related risks. Stronger regulations will naturally stimulate corporate demand for green talent.
Second, training programmes should be designed around employment outcomes rather than certificates. Employers, workers and education providers should jointly develop curricula to ensure graduates acquire skills that match labour market demand and lead directly to hiring and workforce redeployment.
Third, Thailand should make greater use of sustainable finance. The country already has an established sustainable finance market, but the next step is to channel more of that capital into workforce development, he said.
Issuing "just transition bonds" would allow training, reskilling and workforce redeployment to qualify as eligible uses of proceeds, said Mr Lee.
Such instruments would be both technically credible and politically practical, provided that target beneficiaries, eligible expenditures and impact metrics are clearly defined.
Younger workers
As Thailand advances towards its net-zero targets, the green economy is rapidly evolving from a corporate social responsibility initiative into a major driver of economic growth and employment.
For fresh graduates entering an increasingly competitive job market, the message is clear: sustainability is no longer just an environmental issue; it is a significant source of career opportunities.
Employers face a growing shortage of professionals who can translate ambitious climate commitments into practical business solutions.
"The strategy for newcomers is simple: master one concrete green skill, such as carbon accounting, EV maintenance, or climate-risk analysis, and pair it with a traditional discipline like engineering, logistics, finance or law," he said.
"This dual capability is incredibly rare, making candidates uniquely indispensable."
For mid-career professionals, whether corporate managers in Bangkok, engineers in Rayong's industrial hub, or technicians in Pathum Thani, the green transition is less about replacing existing expertise than enhancing it with new capabilities.
Mr Lee said an engineer who develops expertise in emissions reduction technologies is well-positioned to lead the low-carbon projects that are increasingly in demand.
A mechanic who masters EV systems and charging infrastructure gains access to a wider range of career opportunities than those who remain focused on conventional vehicles.
Likewise, a logistics manager who successfully implements fleet electrification is applying existing expertise in a more efficient, sustainable way while helping the business reduce its carbon footprint.
However, he cautioned the transition will not happen automatically.
Carbon-heavy roles will inevitably shrink, and the open market cannot protect everyone. Some workers will require substantial retraining, income support and structural redeployment. This is the essence of a just transition: it must be supported by deliberate public policy rather than left to market forces alone.
"For workers who have the opportunity to adapt, the message is clear: do not wait for your employer or the government to determine your future. Invest in new skills now because the transition is already underway," Mr Lee said.
