We spoke with Matteo Di Castelnuovo, Academic Director of SDA Bocconi’s Master in Sustainability Management, about green fatigue and how scientific evidence, investment and labour market trends are changing the skills needed for sustainability.

Is sustainability really losing momentum? Amid geopolitical tensions, regulatory uncertainty and competitive pressures, public debate increasingly suggests a retreat from sustainability commitments. Yet political sentiment does not necessarily reflect scientific and economic realities.

Sustainability is not a passing trend. The IPCC’s findings are unequivocal: human activities have caused global warming, with consequences already being felt worldwide. Policies may change, but the need to manage the risks and opportunities of the transition remains.

Investment Continues, Opportunities Grow

Capital flows also tell a different story from the narrative of “green fatigue”. The International Energy Agency estimates that global investment in clean energy technologies will reach approximately $2.2 trillion in 2026, nearly twice the amount invested in fossil fuels. Renewable energy, electricity grids and energy storage systems continue to attract capital, driven by environmental, economic and energy security considerations.

Investment is also creating employment opportunities, particularly in green jobs linked to the energy transition. According to IRENA and the International Labour Organization, renewable energy employed 16.6 million people worldwide in 2024, up 2.3% from 2023, including 7.3 million in solar photovoltaics alone. Demand is also accelerating in finance: LinkedIn’s Global Green Skills Report 2025 shows a 16.3% increase in green hiring in financial services between 2024 and 2025. Globally, professionals with green skills or working in green roles enjoy a 46.6% higher hiring rate than the overall workforce. Demand for these skills is growing faster than supply.

Yet this transformation extends well beyond jobs directly associated with sustainability. Companies are increasingly seeking green skills in established business functions, from finance and procurement to operations and strategy. Sustainability is therefore reshaping not only career opportunities but also the skills required across traditional professional roles.

To meet this growing need, SDA Bocconi’s Master in Sustainability Management brings together energy, finance and management, preparing professionals to translate sustainability challenges into strategic decisions and investment opportunities.

The results of the programme’s first edition confirm these prospects: six months after graduation, nearly all graduates have secured full-time employment across a wide range of sectors, including energy, finance and insurance, consulting, manufacturing and services.

“Energy, finance and management with purpose.”