Demand for “green” talent has surged in 2024, new data has shown, with the number of Irish job posting seeking green skills rising 22 per cent.
That outstripped the global rise of 11.6 per cent, the latest Labour Market Pulse report from IDA Ireland said. The research, which was produced in collaboration with Microsoft and LinkedIn, showed supply of these skills only increased by 5.6 per cent, indicating there was a gap between the two that needed to be addressed.
One in eight jobs here now require at least one green skills, the report said, one of the highest percentages internationally. That is expected to continue to rise as global demand increases, with particular demand for green skills in technology, information and media, retail and financial services.
Green skills, which include the likes of roles focused on climate change, biodiversity and sustainability among others, are also concentrated in areas such as utilities, construction and manufacturing, with environmental impact assessment and operational efficiency skills among the fastest growing in demand.
“It’s crucial that Government, industry and the academic sector work closely together to ensure that every person can develop the key skills and capabilities to work and thrive in a net zero society,” said James O’Connor, Microsoft Ireland site lead and corporate vice-president of Microsoft Global Operations Service Centre.
Demand in Ireland has increased at twice the rate of the rest of the world between 2021 and 2024, at 11.9 per cent versus 6 per cent. Job seekers in Ireland with green skills or titles have a higher hiring rate than the general workforce, at almost 80 per cent.
“The climate crisis is the biggest challenge facing society and green talent will be central to overcoming it,” said LinkedIn Ireland country manager Sue Duke. “We can already see that Irish companies are stepping up to play their part, as evidenced by the high levels of hiring for workers with green skills and it is crucial that supply is boosted in order to meet demand. Upskilling will play a crucial role as we cannot simply wait for new talent with the requisite skills to enter the workforce to deliver on this.”
IDA Ireland chief executive Michael Lohan welcomed the report’s insights on the green economy and its growing importance. “Sustainability is a key focus in IDA’s strategy, and we are committed to helping multinationals in Ireland achieve their sustainability goals,” he said. “IDA have facilitated 50 green investments so far, and we are looking forward to continuing that progress.”
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