Green Finance & Investment Jobs

Investing in the Future with Careers in Green Finance & Investment

1. What Are Green Finance & Investment Jobs?

Green finance refers to ensuring that investments are directed toward projects that environmentally friendly. Together with investors, firm, and government support, specialists in green finance also help fund sustainable agriculture, renewable energy projects, and eco-friendly infrastructure development. These include positions in green bonds, impact investing, portfolio management, sustainable finance advisory and other related fields. It is projected that as more investors seek to diversify their portfolios, green finance will increase in demand. A variety of institutions, from BlackRock to Goldman Sachs, are already funding green bonds and other sustainable finance products, which will create more work in this field.

We need to move the capital markets toward sustainable finance; because ultimately that's what's going to drive change. - Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock

2. Why Is Green Finance Growing in Popularity?

The growing concerns such as climate change, depletion of resources, and loss of biodiversity have resulted in an increased focus on green finance. The Global Sustainable Investment Alliance has reported growth in the global sustainable investment assets by 34% during the years 2016 and 2018. This demonstrates the increasing willingness to invest towards social and environmental causes. There has also been a supremacy rise in the supply of green finance specialists due to the focus put on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in any financing.

In this sector, companies, financial institutions and governments have started incorporating sustainability into their strategies, creating jobs for the sector.

3. Which Skills Are Essential for Green Finance Professionals?

Someone pursuing a career in green finance should have the following skills:

• Financial Analysis & Modeling: Capability to determine the economic potential of making sustainable investments.
• Sustainability Knowledge: Comprehension of renewable energy, risk of carbon trading, and environmental threats.
• ESG Integration: Knowledge of the incorporation of ESG issues into economic activities.

Those attempting to progress further into green finance will benefit from holding ESG-focused Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Financial Risk Manager (FRM) certifications.

4. What Is the Salary Range for Green Finance & Investment Roles?

Remuneration in green finance differs with designation and place:

United States: From an entry level position the salary is around $70,000 while senior investment managers earn over $150,000.

United Kingdom: The pay range is between £50,000 and £120,000, depending on the job.

Visit Salary.com and Indeed for more information about salaries in the green finance field.

5. Which Companies Are Leading the Green Finance Sector?

• Goldman Sachs: One of the top investors in sustainable green bonds.
• JPMorgan Chase: Working with diverse clients in sustainable investment as well as green finance.
• HSBC: Green role model and leader for other bankers and investors in ESG services.

As can be noted, green finance is expected to grow; this will make it an appealing and profitable space for people who love finance and sustainability at the same time.