Labour market competences for sustainability transitions: A cross-sectoral analysis in Norway

• Addresses labour market competences in sustainability transitions research. • Uses a comprehensive dataset from Norway, including 65 interviews and large survey. • Three categories of green competences emerge across industries. • Finds that understanding of green competences depends on perspective on transitions. • Findings have implications for labour market stakeholders and policy. The role of labour and competences has received limited attention in the sustainability transitions literature. This paper starts from the premise that the labour market and the availability of relevant competences are both key enablers for transition processes and domains of impact as transitions unfold. To contribute new insights, we adopt an exploratory multi-method approach using a unique dataset of 7500 survey responses and 65 interviews with private and public organisations in Norway. The analysis spans a wide range of sectors, including under-researched areas such as retail and municipalities. Conceptualising the aggregation of sectoral transitions towards sustainability as a “green shift”, we investigate how and to what extent this shift is changing competence needs. Drawing on insights from deep transitions, sustainability transitions, and green skills literatures, we identify three categories of green competences: industry-specific, technical, and fundamental sustainability competences. While industry-specific competences vary by sector, organisations across the economy anticipate increased demand for technical and sustainability competences such as systems thinking, change management, and environmental awareness. The results show that competence change is expected primarily within existing organisational activities rather than through major sectoral restructuring. We argue that these emerging competence needs are not only outcomes of the green shift but also mechanisms through which sustainability transitions are enacted. A narrow focus on technical innovation may overlook essential transversal competences. These findings have implications for education and labour policy, suggesting the need for integrated competence development across disciplines and sectors to prevent bottlenecks and support the green shift.