For the past century, economic growth has been the key driving force in society. If politicians are seen to deliver it, they’re more likely to be re-elected.

But, increasingly, people are recognising that there cannot be infinite growth on a finite planet and that, historically, the western world has benefited from the exploitation of both labour and natural resources in developing countries.

So, is it possible to have a sustainable career that doesn’t exploit either the planet or other people? And how important is this for workers today?

At UCD, Dr Tiffany Thng is assistant professor of finance in the school of business. She says that businesses are moving to integrate sustainable practices in their approach.

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“More businesses recognise that sustainability may lead to better employee satisfaction, reduce carbon footprints and improve firm performance.

“There is also a growing number of new firms that aim to solve environmental problems and social issues. These firms focus on developing products or services that deal with climate issues including, for instance, renewable energy firms.”

Pivoting from peat

Bord na Móna has historically been known as a fossil fuel company that harvested peat from Ireland’s bogs. Over the past decade, however, there was a growing recognition that peat harvesting caused ecosystem damage and increased Ireland’s carbon emissions by damaging a vital carbon sink. It’s also a relatively inefficient fuel. And so, in 2020, peat harvesting —and with it, the famous briquettes that many of us grew up with — stopped.

Surely this would mean the end of Bord na Móna?

Not at all: the company has pivoted to a green strategy and, with a focus on climate solutions, roles and skillsets have evolved too.

Dr John MacNamara is head of corporate sustainability at Bord na Móna, and he says that the move away from peat harvesting has, in fact, resulted in more high-quality jobs.

“The Peatlands Climate Action Scheme (PCAS) resulted in the redeployment of former peat harvesting operatives who undertook upskilling and training for roles in peatlands rehabilitation and restoration,” he says.

“In addition, PCAS saw the recruitment of new ecologists, engineers, climate scientists, hydrologists and geographic information system specialists, creating an in-house team whose expertise in peatlands management and land-use change is unrivalled across Europe.

“Bord na Móna’s Recycling business continues to grow and embrace digital solutions to improve service delivery; the company has deployed the latest in on-board telemetry, radio frequency (RF) recognition technology and real-time route optimisation resulting in new roles in logistics and data analytics.

“Bord na Móna is also at the forefront of delivering green renewable energy from onshore wind and solar. The planning and delivery of this ambitious energy infrastructure programme requires a dedicated and professional mix of people. In recent years, Bord na Móna has recruited staff with expertise in civil and mechanical engineering, planners, project managers, meteorologists, computer modelling and simulations, commodity trading and procurement.

“Furthermore, and following the announcement of a joint venture with Ocean Winds, Bord na Móna has also hired new staff members with marine-based experience and track records in delivering off-shore renewable energy projects. Bord na Móna Renewables is also developing green hydrogen production, battery storage and biogas solutions for Ireland’s security of supply needs and is hiring for these projects.

“Bord na Móna’s strategic focus on sustainability and climate solutions across recycling, renewables and peatlands rehabilitation has resulted in new roles being filled in finance, accounting, IT, recruitment, administration, communications and ESG, [environmental, social and governance]” adds MacNamara.

Growing skills requirements

Thng says that the employment rate has grown significantly over the past decade.

“A forecast by the European Labour Authority reveals that there is a need for skills in climate-related production to cope with the climate goals, while 90 per cent of established firms in Ireland include climate and environmental, social and governance (ESG) in their top-level strategic and operational decisions.”

ESG is a significant shift: instead of companies caring only about shareholders, there is a broader move to consider stakeholders, including not only workers and consumers but also citizens who may, for instance, suffer the effects of corporate pollution.

Changes are also happening in the world of corporate finance.

Liam McKenna is a partner with Mazars, and he is currently studying on UCD’s postgraduate course in environmental sustainability, which is offered at certificate, diploma and masters level.

At Mazars, the corporate strategy is focused on five pillars, including reducing environmental impact and supporting clients on their journey to sustainability.

“All jobs will be [impacted] by the need to be sustainable,” says McKenna. “This includes in the supply chain where retailers want to ensure their staff have good working conditions, and they want to limit their carbon emissions and environmental impact. There are new careers emerging, including in areas like lab-grown meat which does not remove forests and emit carbon. There are also careers in areas like developing feeds that emit less methane and renewable energy development, while the companies that have chief sustainability officers are delegating and working out what they need to do.”

The EU sustainability reporting directive, which will be rolled out from 2024, ultimately demands that companies record and report on their environmental impact.

“Ultimately, if companies don’t adapt to a more sustainable approach, they will be caught out,” says McKenna. “Organisations see what is coming, but they also realise that to be sustainable means less resources and using less energy. Every company will have a greater focus on sustainability and, regardless of what point of your career you are at, there are opportunities for everyone to get involved and make a difference.”

Courses in sustainability

More and more owners and managers realise that sustainability makes business sense, says Dave Flynn, director of business networks at Skillnet Ireland.

According to research undertaken by Amárach in 2022, 75 per cent of businesses say that sustainability is highly relevant to them.

For those who want to build a career in sustainable finance, biodiversity, retrofitting, renewable energy generation, electric vehicle maintenance, technology, food and advanced manufacturing — without costing the Earth — Flynn points to a range of courses that can help.

“A growing number of sustainability-related graduate and postgraduate programmes are delivered by higher education institutions in Ireland each year,” he says.

“Skillnet Ireland supports a range of funded programmes through its Climate Ready Academy and many sector-specific training and education programmes delivered by Skillnet Business Networks, making access more affordable for businesses. From beginner-level training to specialised qualifications, there are multiple opportunities for people to upskill in the area.”

There is a range of courses on offer through Skillnet, including the Sustainable Finance Skillnet which focuses on the creation of a greener finance system, a medical tech skillnet which focuses on a more sustainable resilient supply chain and a lean and green skillnet which helps organisations across Ireland to develop sustainable corporate skills programmes and courses.

At UCC, the postgraduate certificate in sustainability in enterprise is a part-time online programme completed in one year, while there’s also an option of deepening your learning through the two-year MSc programme.

UCD offers an MSc in environmental sustainability, while there are also CPD courses available at Trinity College, delivered in partnership with Skillnet Ireland, and at the University of Galway, which is offering a specialist diploma in corporate environmental planning.

Many colleges are building sustainability into the heart of their undergraduate courses, particularly in traditionally high-carbon-emitting areas like engineering and agriculture. DCU’s BA in climate and environmental sustainability degree, meanwhile, is equipping the next generation of graduates to tackle the problems of pollution by equipping them with excellent data, research and analytical skills.