Growth in demand for sustainability professionals can only continue

Infinite growth is not possible in a world with finite resources. The science is clear: we cannot keep pillaging and exploiting the planet. And yet politicians keep promising economic growth, with the developing world still exploited for its labour and resources.

Is there a more ethical and sustainable way? James Delahunt is sustainable futures partner at KPMG – he says more and more people are building sustainable careers.

“The demand for sustainability professionals has grown significantly in Ireland,” he says. “LinkedIn data shows that hiring figures for ‘green jobs’ doubled between 2016 and 2021. This growth is expected to continue, with an estimated 20,000 jobs within the Irish economy needing to be filled to support leading green economy sectors.

“Roles related to sustainability are diverse and include titles ranging from ecologist and environmental scientist to energy manager and wind turbine technician.”

Bushmills Irish Whiskey explores new territory with “unmistakably different” 14-year-old Malaga cask single malt

---

Sustainability: A whole new set of reporting with potential to be transformative

---

Tools and applications, in common use elsewhere in life, are still not standard in healthcare settings

---

Futureproofing the health system requires a new prescription

---

Delahunt says all businesses are in the process of transitioning to a low-carbon economy and, as companies increase their efforts to respond to the climate crisis, sustainability will become a component of virtually every career.

Donna Noonan, IFS Skillnet network manager at Ibec, says companies of all shapes and sizes are facing increasing national, EU and international regulatory demands around sustainability, meaning they will have to invest in this area.

“‘Sustainability’ may be someone in the company focusing on change as part of their job or a role in itself. It could be someone focused on reducing energy costs, which has both financial and environmental benefits,” she says. “Or it could be that the entire business – a wind turbine firm, for instance – is about sustainability.”

It is clear, Noonan says, that sustainability as a job or an element thereof cannot be avoided.

“Younger workers want to go to sustainable companies, so being a sustainable company is important to attract the best talent. But companies also understand that if they are not sustainable they may incur reputational damage.”

Delahunt agrees that students are more interested in sustainability than ever before, as they are environmentally aware and want to make an impact.

“In recent years there has been a strong growth in applications to third-level courses related to climate change and sustainability in Ireland,” he says. “CAO data shows that environment-related courses increased by 35 per cent in 2022 to the previous year.”

Prof John Cotter is a lecturer in finance at UCD. He says undergraduate and postgraduate business courses are increasingly putting sustainability at the heart of their mission.

“In our degrees, this is being demanded by students,” he says. “In 2013 there may have been a module or two on sustainability; today it is across the board, throughout the curriculum. And it isn’t just about the environment – it’s also about ethics.”

Of course, for the now 30-something graduate who completed their degree when sustainability barely featured on the curriculum, there remains a need to update their skills. To this end, the Ibec Academy runs two continuous professional-development courses focused on sustainability.

The CPD certificate in corporate sustainability ESG, accredited by TU Dublin, runs over four days. Offering a level six NFQ qualification, it aims to meet the needs of those involved in the development and/or delivery of a corporate sustainability strategy.

The Ibec Academy also offers a sustainability and ESG course, run over 12 short morning sessions, for board members who need more competency in this area.

There are other courses, too. Trinity College runs a postgraduate certificate in sustainable development for business, while UCD offers an MSc, graduate diploma or graduate certificate in environmental sustainability. And the University of Galway offers a specialist diploma in corporate environmental planning.

The UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School has partnered with Bord Bia to develop the Origin Green Ambassador Programme, which is designed to provide those in the sector with a grounding in sustainability. And MicroCreds, a new platform that hosts short, flexible and university-accredited courses, also has a focus on sustainability.

Meanwhile, more companies are appointing chief sustainability officers to board-level roles, says Cotter.

“Environmental, social and governance requirements are important to them, and they want diversity,” he says. “At UCD sustainability is one of the key pillars of the university’s strategy.”

Cotter says businesses are building sustainability into what they do but, at the same time, new companies are emerging to service and supply a world that requires sustainable approaches.

“In aviation there is a requirement to reach zero carbon by 2050 and they are doing this via things like green bonds, which reward less polluting activities,” he says. “And sustainable finance will continue to be a growth area. There are so many opportunities – and there will be more to come.”

Sustainable career profile:

Liam Faulkner, CEO, Strategic Power Connect

Founded in 2003, the Strategic Power Group supports Government plans to reduce emissions through the development of large-scale solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage systems.

The company recently appointed Liam Faulkner as its chief executive officer. Faulkner comes from an energy and renewables background.

“The sector is constantly evolving and expanding, with a diversity of career paths and disciplines that align with many skills and values from engineering to policy, finance and project management,” Faulkner says.

“Additionally, the sector is at the forefront of technological advancements and innovation, with cutting-edge technologies that contribute to the development of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency solutions and smart grid systems.

“Ultimately my ambition is to make a positive impact on the world. Energy plays a crucial role in addressing global challenges such as climate change and the need for clean and renewable energy sources has never been more clear cut.

“Working in the renewable energy sector allows me to contribute to finding sustainable solutions and mitigating the environmental impact of energy consumption.

“Most companies still have a long way to go [but] I would recommend this industry sector to any young person entering the workforce or anyone looking to change career.”