IDA Ireland, in collaboration with Microsoft and LinkedIn, has published the latest in its Labour Market Pulse report series, which provides insights and trends from the Irish labour market to help inform decision-makers across business, academia and public policy.
As the global economy pivots toward sustainable practices, Ireland has the potential to become a leader in this transition, thanks to its ambitious climate goals, desire to attract more green-focused Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and growing demand for specialised green skills across industries.
With LinkedIn data revealing that the percentage of job postings requiring green skills in Ireland is one of the highest internationally, with one in eight (12.4%) Irish jobs now requiring at least one green skill, this Labour Market Pulse encourages all citizens, businesses, and educators to embrace and invest in green skills development to prepare for Ireland’s low-carbon future.
The global demand for green skills is rapidly outpacing supply, with estimates indicating that by 2050 twice as many jobs will require green expertise than there will be people qualified to fill them. LinkedIn data saw demand for green talent grow by over 22.1% last year—well above the global average of 11.6%—demonstrating a strong and immediate need to upskill the workforce to keep up with the demands of the green economy.
This trend has been evident for an extended period now with LinkedIn’s analysis also highlighting that demand for green skills in Ireland grew at twice the rate of the rest of the world – 11.9% vs 6% – between 2021-2024. Furthermore, it green talent has become highly attractive to employers, as job seekers in Ireland with green skills or titles achieve a 79.8% higher hiring rate than the workforce overall.
Ireland’s Climate Action Plan 2024 has locked critical sustainability targets into legislation, mandating that by 2030 80% of the nation’s electricity will come from renewable sources. To support these goals, IDA Ireland has facilitated over 50 green investments, fostering a diverse ecosystem of innovation. From wind turbine technologies to AI-driven energy distribution, companies are investing in Ireland’s sustainable future, creating new jobs in green sectors.
Green skills are most concentrated in industries like Utilities, Construction, and Manufacturing, with skills such as Environmental Impact Assessment and Operational Efficiency among the fastest growing in demand. However, the need for skills in areas like sustainable supply chain management, pollution prevention, and renewable energy is spreading rapidly to other industries, such as professional services, financial services, and technology.
To support this need Skillnet Ireland’s Ireland Talent Landscape 2024 report highlights that over 59% of businesses see upskilling in sustainability as critical to their future success. Green skills development is not only vital for environmental goals but also serves as a key driver for economic growth, innovation, and job creation.
Michael Lohan, CEO, IDA Ireland said: ‘’I welcome the data insights which show that the green economy is a rapidly growing sector, with demand for green talent increasing by 11.6% from 2023 to 2024. Sustainability is a key focus in IDA’s strategy, and we are committed to helping multinationals in Ireland achieve their sustainability goals. IDA have facilitated 50 green investments so far, and we are looking forward to continuing that progress.’’
Commenting on the Labour Market Pulse, James O’Connor, Microsoft Ireland Site Lead and Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Global Operations Service Center, said: “As Ireland advances on its sustainability journey, it is important that every community, business and individual has the right capabilities to support the green transition. 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.
“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. At Microsoft, as part of our commitment to be a carbon negative and zero waste company by 2030, we’re proud to play our part by rolling out skilling programmes that are equipping learners and communities around the country with the skills for success to empower the workforce of today and tomorrow.”
LinkedIn Ireland Country Manager Sue Duke added: “The climate crisis is the biggest challenge facing society and green talent will be central to overcoming it. 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 simply cannot wait for new talent with the requisite skills to enter the workforce to deliver on this.”
Skillnet Ireland Director of Policy and Communications Tracey Donnery said “Our research shows that businesses now see upskilling in sustainability as critical to their future success, and they are seeking support to identify their sustainability skills needs. Skillnet Ireland is engaging with industry to develop talent frameworks and upskilling programmes to build a sustainable talent pipeline. We are helping businesses understand their sustainability talent needs, upskill their existing teams, and stay ahead of the curve as the transition to a carbon-neutral economy continues apace.”
Full details on the latest insights from Labour Market Pulse can be found here.
