More and more job hunters are choosing new roles based on how an organisation addresses the issue of global sustainability.
According to recent research, 84pc of participating people believe that all companies in Ireland, regardless of the size, should be required to disclose their environmental impact and the level of their commitment to ESG targets.
Green credentials are, for many modern-day employees, an absolute must when it comes to working for a company in the long-term. The same is true of job hunters, 34pc of whom, actively research a businesses’ ESG commitment before applying for a new job, according to research from Matrix Recruitment.
In the inaugural ESG Careers Report, recently published by Matrix Recruitment, the platform collected data from more than 160 Ireland-based adults, to determine how much or how little topics around sustainability matter when it comes to formally accepting a new position.
What was discovered is that, of those who responded, 50pc were of the opinion that a sustainability policy greatly influences the decision to take on the job.
This was particularly obvious among the younger cohorts, with more than half of surveyed people under the age of 30 stating that they would ask potential employers about their sustainability goals in an interview. That being said, only 12pc said that they would refuse a job outright if it became apparent that there was no sustainability policy in place.
“We’re seeing a clear shift in what today’s workforce expects,” said Rena Weld, the recruitment manager at Matrix Recruitment. “Younger candidates especially are prioritising environmental values and ESG commitments. Employers must embed sustainability into their culture and not just talk about it, if they want to attract and retain talent.”
Is green job hunting actually sustainable?
In an ideal world, every company and institution would have an established ESG standard, making it easier for conscientious people to apply for and accept jobs in the areas that appealed to them. That is however, not the case and often unclear job descriptions (29pc) and a shortage of entry-level positions (28pc), can deter people from holding out for a job that contributes to climate action.
There is also the issue of capability, as more than half of the survey participants admitted that they lack formal qualifications in sustainability, with only one in 10 professionals willing to return to full-time education or take a pay cut to increase their chances of obtaining a green role.
However, 45pc of contributors did state that they would be willing to undertake a part-time college course in order to upskill. 59pc of people were of the opinion that to improve their chances of moving into the green sector, internal upskilling within their current companies would help.
“It’s clear from the survey that there is an untapped opportunity for employers to develop sustainability talent from within their own company. This is invaluable insight and for many businesses, could be a solution to their green talent shortage,” said Weld.
With the further digitalisation of the working world creating new and exciting opportunities for career-goers, the research indicated that the roles becoming available and most popular among people with green ambitions include careers in the renewable energy space, the circular economy, biodiversity and climate policy.
The report also predicts that a number of key areas are likely to grow significantly over the course of the next five years. For example, climate tech, AI and sustainability data and ESG regulation.
Don’t miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic’s digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.