The demand for green skills in Ireland increased at twice the global rate between 2021 and 2024—11.9% versus 6%—according to the most recent Labour Market Pulse, which was released by IDA Ireland in partnership with Microsoft and LinkedIn.

According to a LinkedIn analysis, one in eight Irish jobs now require at least one green talent, making Ireland one of the countries with the greatest percentage of job posts requiring green skills worldwide.

The industries with the highest concentration of green talents include manufacturing, utilities, and construction; among the fastest-growing fields are operational efficiency and environmental impact assessment.

But the demand for expertise in fields like pollution control, renewable energy, and sustainable supply chain management is quickly expanding to other sectors including technology, financial services, and professional services.

"Sustainability is a key focus in IDA's strategy, and we are committed to helping multinationals in Ireland achieve their sustainability goals," said Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland.

Every community, company, and individual should have the necessary skills to support the green transition, according to James O'Connor, Microsoft Ireland Site Lead and Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Global Operations Service Centre.

"Published today, the Labour Market Pulse highlights the need for greater investment in green skills across key industries to accelerate a zero-carbon future for Ireland," Mr. O'Connor stated.

As stated by Sue Duke, the country manager for LinkedIn Ireland, green talent will be essential to solving the climate catastrophe.

"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," said Ms Duke.

Based on Tracey Donnery, director of policy and communications at Skillnet Ireland, the organization's research indicates that companies now view sustainability upskilling as essential to their long-term success.

"Skillnet Ireland is engaging with industry to develop talent frameworks and upskilling programmes to build a sustainable talent pipeline," said Ms Donnery.