Irelands Green Job Boom: One In Eight Roles Now Demand Environmental Skills

The Irish job market is witnessing a significant shift towards green skills, with demand far outpacing supply, according to the latest IDA Ireland Labour Market Pulse report. Published in collaboration with LinkedIn and Microsoft, the report provides insights into the current state of the Irish labour market and highlights the growing importance of environmental sustainability.

A staggering one in eight Irish jobs now require at least one green skill, with skills such as environmental impact assessment and operational efficiency emerging as fastest-growing areas of demand. The concentration of these skills is highest in industries like utilities, construction, and manufacturing, where companies are seeking to reduce their ecological footprint.

The global demand for green skills has skyrocketed, with estimates suggesting that by 2050, twice as many jobs will require green expertise than there will be people qualified to fill them. In Ireland specifically, the growth rate of demand for green skills far surpassed the global average, increasing by 11.9% between 2021 and 2024.

LinkedIn data reveals a striking trend, with demand for green talent growing by 22.1% last year alone. Moreover, job seekers in Ireland with green skills or titles enjoy an impressive 79.8% higher hiring rate compared to the overall workforce, underscoring the growing importance of sustainability credentials.

IDA Ireland’s CEO Michael Lohan has welcomed the data insights, having facilitated over 50 green investments so far and remaining committed to driving growth in this sector. Microsoft Ireland’s site lead, James O’Connor, highlights the need for widespread investment in green skills across key industries to accelerate a zero-carbon future for Ireland. LinkedIn Ireland’s country manager Sue Duke stresses that upskilling will be critical in meeting demand for green talent, as companies strive to tackle the climate crisis head-on.

The Irish government’s efforts to boost the green economy have been gaining momentum, with initiatives like the Green Finance and Sustainability Authority and the Climate Action Plan 2021-2030 aiming to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable growth. As Ireland continues on its sustainability journey, it is clear that green skills will be a crucial component of this transformation.

The IDA’s report serves as a timely reminder that the transition to a low-carbon economy requires a skilled workforce, equipped with expertise in areas like environmental impact assessment, energy efficiency, and renewable technologies. By investing in green skills training and development programs, Ireland can position itself at the forefront of this global shift towards sustainability.

In an era where climate change is increasingly recognized as a pressing global challenge, the demand for green skills has never been more urgent. As LinkedIn puts it, “the climate crisis is the biggest challenge facing society, and green talent will be central to overcoming it.”