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    Published on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 | Updated on Friday, March 28, 2025

    Spain | Green skills: what they are, who holds them, and why they matter

    Summary

    Green skills account for 4% of employment in Spain between 2015 and 2024, in line with the EU-27 average. However, the profile of workers with green skills varies by skill type. Those with knowledge in renewable energy or environmental policies tend to be younger and more educated.

    Key points

    • Key points:
    • A successful transition to a low-carbon economy requires a workforce equipped with the right skills to drive and sustain it.
    • The relatively limited prevalence of green skills stems from their concentration in agricultural occupations, combined with the fact that highly qualified occupations tend to require a broader range of general competencies.
    • Agricultural and recycling skills explains why green skill intensity is higher among older workers with lower education levels, particularly in agriculture and water supply and waste management.
    • Spain stands out in Europe for its strong skill base in biodiversity and agriculture but lags behind in renewable energy and energy efficiency knowledge, both essential to meeting the growing demand for professionals who can accelerate the decarbonization of the economy.
    • Expanding this talent pool is key to fully leverage the renewable energy potential of Spain and achieve the PNIEC goal of increasing installed solar and wind capacity by 124% between 2025 and 2030.

    Geographies

    Authors

    Joxe Mari Barrutiabengoa BBVA Research - Senior Economist
    Julián Cubero BBVA Research - Lead Economist
    Juan Ramón García BBVA Research - Principal Economist
    Sirenia Vázquez BBVA Research - Principal Economist
    Rafael Ortiz Durán BBVA Research - Economist

    Documents and files

    EN_Spain | Green skills: what they are, who holds them, and why they matter
    Presentation (PDF)

    EN_Spain | Green skills: what they are, who holds them, and why they matter

    English - March 28, 2025

    ES_España | Competencias verdes: qué son, quién las tiene y por qué son importantes
    Presentation (PDF)

    ES_España | Competencias verdes: qué son, quién las tiene y por qué son importantes

    Spanish - March 28, 2025

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