The sustainable finance landscape in 2025 feels different. After years of rapid expansion, shifting narratives and regulatory uncertainty, the sector has entered a more grounded chapter. The conversations we are having with investors, infrastructure developers, sustainability leads and senior operators show a clear pattern. There is more discipline, more focus on measurable outcomes, and less appetite for broad commitments without clear delivery plans.

Below is a summary of the dynamics shaping the sector today, and what these shifts mean for leadership and hiring across sustainable finance, renewables and real assets.

A Year Marked by Progress in the Real Economy

Despite political turbulence in some markets, the transition economy continues to grow at an unprecedented speed.

• Renewables have reached new records.
  Global renewable capacity additions hit 582 gigawatts in 2024, the highest increase ever recorded. Solar dominated the expansion, supported by strong growth in wind, hydro and storage. This momentum has helped push the world to roughly 60 percent of the path needed to reach the 2030 global renewable target.
• Investment continues to accelerate.
  Clean-energy spending reached historic highs, with strong growth in Asia Pacific, Latin America and Eastern Europe. Markets once considered too high risk are now seeing levels of investment that were unimaginable a few years ago.
• Adaptation and nature frameworks are maturing.
  At COP30, countries agreed to 59 global indicators to strengthen adaptation tracking. This marks an important step in how resilience, climate vulnerability and nature-related risks are measured.

These signals show that the transition is not theoretical. It is unfolding through infrastructure, supply chains, technology and the steady scaling of clean energy worldwide.

The Gaps That Still Hold Us Back

Optimism in the sector is real, but so are the challenges.

• Progress is not fast enough.
  Tripling global renewable capacity by 2030 requires annual installations almost twice the current pace.
• Energy efficiency is falling short.
  Global efficiency improvements remain below levels needed for net-zero pathways.
• Policy clarity remains inconsistent.
  Shifting regulations continue to create friction for investors who need long-term certainty to scale capital deployment.
• Market narratives remain fragmented.
  There is still no unified definition of what qualifies as green, transition-aligned or nature-based, creating hesitation in emerging asset classes.

The result is a market that is moving fast, but not yet moving in unison.

Hiring and Leadership Trends in Sustainable Finance

The shifts above are reshaping what companies look for in senior hires. Across private equity, infrastructure funds, renewable developers and corporate sustainability teams, several patterns stand out.

1. Demand is rising for hybrid profiles

Leaders who combine financial fluency with sector expertise and strategic thinking are increasingly in demand. These profiles can translate transition realities into operational and commercial decisions.

2. Execution capability is gaining priority

Companies want leaders who can deliver measurable outcomes. Delivery, project execution and operational credibility are becoming core requirements.

3. Influence skills matter more than ever

As sustainability becomes integrated across functions, leaders must collaborate with investment teams, operations, finance and stakeholders. The ability to influence without authority has become essential.

4. Transition roles are becoming more central

Roles that once sat at the edge of organisations are now moving closer to investment committees, strategy teams and value-creation functions.

5. Competition for top talent is intensifying

Specialised areas such as energy systems, climate risk, nature finance and portfolio decarbonisation are growing quickly, increasing demand for senior talent with cross-functional credibility.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As we move into 2026, there is growing optimism beneath the surface. The transition economy is maturing, infrastructure is scaling and organisations are becoming clearer about the outcomes they want to drive.

Here are the three trends we believe will shape the hiring landscape next year:

1. Continued growth in clean-energy and transition roles
Record deployment and renewed investment pipelines are creating sustained demand for leaders across development, operations and asset management.

2. A rise in specialised transition leadership
Hybrid profiles that integrate climate, finance and delivery will become central to organisational strategy.

3. Greater clarity in mandates and expectations
Roles are becoming better defined, KPIs are clearer and organisations are more focused on measurable impact.

As wee see it, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of renewed execution and stronger demand for purpose-driven, commercially minded leaders who can navigate complexity with clarity.

The RecruiTerra Team