New research has shown that the development of talent and skills is the biggest challenge associated with the implementation of Ireland’s Climate Action Plan.

The report, published on March 30, contains insights from research carried out by Skillnet Ireland and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).

ESRI surveyed 100 business leaders from a broad range of industry sectors and business sizes. Their goal was to identify the priorities of businesses in their efforts to develop talent and respond to the challenges posed by the implementation of the Climate Action Plan and the objectives of the European Green Deal.

ESRI’s findings were collated into a report titled Talent for Ireland’s Green Economy 2022. The publication was authored by Government business support agency Skillnet Ireland. The need for digital skills to harness the potential of green technologies was highlighted in the report.

The majority of respondents (84pc) selected climate change and sustainability strategy skills as the top skill set needed in the medium term to support their business’s green transition. This was followed by marketing skills (70pc) and financial skills relating to investment and access to finance (67pc).

The researchers found that waste management, corporate sustainability strategies and carbon management were the top three development priorities for business leaders.

Waste management was the number one priority, with 78pc of enterprises singling it out as  a skills area for development. Three quarters of respondents said corporate sustainability strategy skills was a major priority, followed by carbon management skills (67pc of respondents).

Improving the energy efficiency of processes, buildings and transport, as well as reducing emissions along the supply chain were also priorities areas for business leaders.

The majority of respondents (60pc) said they expected that achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 would have a positive impact on enterprise performance in the medium term.

According to Prof Iulia Siedschlag, ESRI lead author of the report, “Tailored training programmes to each sector and enterprise group and at different stages in the transition to a low-carbon economy would help businesses to better act and manage the transition to a low-carbon economy.”

Tracey Donnery, director of communications and policy, Skillnet Ireland, said that transitioning to a low-carbon economy “comes with a level of uncertainty for businesses.”

“We know from this research study in collaboration with the ESRI and our work with industry that all businesses will undergo a significant shift and having access to responsive business supports will be key,” she added.

Last year, Skillnet Ireland helped launch a skills initiative called the Climate Ready Academy in association with Chambers Ireland, Wind Energy Ireland and Sustainable Finance Ireland. The academy has recently introduced a course aimed at leaders who want to integrate sustainability into their businesses.

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