Catching the Green Gig Wave
Sustainability Freelance for Collective Impact
A shift toward a green gig economy is revolutionizing work, blending flexibility with sustainability. This month’s edition focuses on freelancers, independent professionals, and gig workers who are driving innovation across industries, shaping a future where impact and adaptability go hand in hand. Its an emerging trend, redefining industries, influencing policies, and creating new career opportunities
In this edition you’ll find our monthly insights, recent updates to our online Community Hub
The gig economy is no longer a niche market; it's a powerhouse. The global freelance platform market, worth $5.6 billion in 2024, is on track to hit $13.8 billion by 2030, growing at a solid 16.1% annually. This massive expansion highlights the growing demand for flexible, project-based work for millions of workers worldwide. In the new wave of green gig economy, freelancers, contractors, and individual professionals are driving sustainability across industries.
The World Economic Forum’s Future Job Initiative estimates that the gig economy will reach $2,145 billion by 2033, sparking debates about worker protections and job security. Civil society groups, trade unions, and human rights organisations are calling for a binding Treaty to protect ‘Gig’ Workers, ensuring fair employment conditions and protections. The UAE’s new Corporate tax applies to freelancers and gig workers earning over AED 1 million annually, signalling a major shift for the region’s independent economy. Meanwhile, the UK is tightening gig economy rules, requiring employers to carry out employment checks to prevent illegal working and promote fair labour practices.
On the global stage, the ASEAN Year of Skills is gaining momentum, with Malaysia hosting the Global Skills Forum in October, focusing on workforce transformation, gig economy protections, and upskilling in green and digital skills. Interestingly, a growing number of self-employed pensioners in Europe are choosing part-time roles, valuing flexibility while staying engaged in work. And in India, the freelance ESG Consulting market is expanding rapidly, as businesses seek independent experts to navigate sustainability regulations.
Governments and institutions are ramping up action on sustainability. Canada has issued final guidelines on environmental claims to combat greenwashing. Meanwhile, at EU Green Week 2025, the United Nations underscored the role of circular economy solutions in strengthening sustainability, competitiveness, and resilience across Europe. A new report urges collective action to accelerate the green transition in Arab governments.
The Green Gig Economy is pushing boundaries, redefining industries, and demanding bold leadership. Whether you're a freelancer, policymaker, or business leader, staying ahead in this shifting landscape isn’t optional; it’s essential. The question is: will you adapt, or will you lead?
How will you shape the future of work? Let us know your thoughts.
Inside the Evolving World of Freelance Sustainability Consulting.
This month, we had a conversation with Bhaarat Verma, an independent sustainability consultant whose freelance journey spans responsible investment, ESG strategy, regulatory reporting, and brand communication. He put it simply, what really sets a freelancer apart is the ability to connect the dots. It's not just about being technically sound; it's about telling the right story, understanding people, and making things work in the real world. That mix is what makes the work resonate and stick.
On breaking out of the box:
Bhaarat didn’t follow the traditional path in sustainability, mostly because it didn’t quite fit. “Job descriptions were too narrow,” he explained. Freelancing offered something those roles didn’t: the chance to weave together strategy, reporting, communications, and branding into one cohesive practice. That flexibility has let him apply a broader, more integrated lens to every project.
On building trust and impact:
“Managing your time is one thing, managing stakeholder dynamics is another,” he said. For freelancers, the real work often lies in navigating client expectations, earning buy-in, and knowing when to push versus when to hold space. The best outcomes, he believes, come from honest conversations and staying deeply engaged, even when sustainability falls off the corporate radar.
On how the market’s shifting:
Regulatory compliance may be the baseline, but Bhaarat urges fellow consultants not to stop there. “There’s a huge opportunity in repositioning sustainability as value creation,” he said. From cutting costs to improving win rates in tenders, sustainability is increasingly a commercial driver, not just a reporting exercise.
When it comes to sustainability consulting, there’s no one-size-fits-all. We came across an interesting blog article which speaks about which consultant is right for the business seeking to expand sustainability work. Is it a freelance Consultant or a Large Consulting firm? Both offer value, but the experience, cost, and outcomes differ significantly.
Freelancers bring:
agility,
deep subject-matter expertise, and
cost-effectiveness.
Many are ex-corporate professionals who now offer tailored support on a flexible basis. They’re ideal for focused projects, quick turnarounds, or ongoing advisory roles.
Big firms offer:
brand recognition,
structured teams, and
access to proprietary tools.
They’re often better suited for large-scale, multi-stakeholder engagements, but come with higher costs and less personal attention.
As the sustainability space evolves, so must the way we build partnerships. Solving global challenges requires more than ambition; it takes alignment. The partners we bring on board, whether freelance specialists or global firms, must reflect the kind of impact we want to create. Whether it’s a large firm's structure or a freelance expert's agility, the real question isn’t who’s bigger, but who’s better aligned with the future we want to create.
Let us know your thoughts.
As the green economy accelerates, is the workforce ready to meet its demands? This month’s webinar brought together expert panelists, Marina Gil Velasco, Romain Boitard, Simon Bangs, and David May for an energizing conversation on defining green skills, reimagining sustainability training through applied learning, and mapping policy actions across MENA and Europe. Discussions highlighted the need for certifications rooted in real-world contexts, government-led upskilling initiatives, and cross-sector collaboration. The session sparked thoughtful dialogue and laid the groundwork for continued research and innovation.
Updates to our Community Hub Page
We’ve launched our Community Hub on Circle! After growing to more than 500 members globally, we’ve paused for reflection on what community means to us. We held focus groups and feedback sessions with many of you to hear how The Climate Club can meet our collective needs for connection, growth, and mutual support.
Sustainability starts with how we show up for each other. We’ve created the space, YOU decide how to shape it.
We’ve developed a one-stop-shop for The Climate Club with tons of new features, opportunities to get professional sustainability experience, career support tools, mentorship, and green living and home discussion boards to share tips, brands, and more.
Webinar library and additional career tools, job board, professional opportunities, and community discussion available with low cost membership. If you enjoy this content and want to connect with other professionals in Dubai and beyond, consider supporting our work through a membership for the price of a coffee a month (AED 30/ month). Explore the Hub or Create and Account Here.
We hope you’ll continue to grow with us and deepen our impact in the UAE and beyond. Welcome to the Club.
Join us for our next Coffee Chat with Raya Makawi, an esteemed advisor in government relations, ESG, and sustainability strategy. Raya brings more than 13 years experience leading regulatory affairs, public policy, and ESG strategy across the Middle East & Africa. From co-leading 3M’s engagements at COP27–29 to navigating complex compliance landscapes, Raya offers rare insight into the evolving demands on CSOs.
Register on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/events/tcc-sclimatecoffeeclubfeaturing7344322350697361408/
See you there!
🌎 We are TCC, a group of climate enthusiasts, educators, and dreamers. Each month, we’re thrilled to share a curated mix of resources, fresh insights, and inspiring stories to help you navigate the ever-evolving sustainability landscape. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or just starting your journey, this is your space to learn, grow, and take action. Together, let’s make sustainability personal, practical, and powerful. Thanks for joining us!