Third of Irish jobseekers consider company ESG before applying for a role

More and more job hunters are choosing new roles based on how an organisation addresses the issue the climate crisis.

According to a recent survey, 84pc of 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 environmental, social, and governance (ESG) targets. 

While 34pc of jobseekers actively research a company’s ESG commitments before applying for a new job, according to the research from Matrix Recruitment. 

In the inaugural ESG Careers Report, Matrix Recruitment collected data from more than 160 adults in Ireland, to determine how much or how little topics around sustainability matter when it comes to formally accepting a new position. 

What was discovered was that 50pc of respondents were of the opinion that a sustainability policy greatly influences their decision to take a job. 

This was particularly obvious among the younger cohorts, with more than half of those under the age of 30 stating that they would ask potential employers about their sustainability goals in an interview. That being said, only 12pc of people said 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?

Among the nearly two-thirds of respondents not currently in a green role, 85pc said they would consider a job that contributes to climate action in the future. However, they cited barriers including unclear job descriptions (29pc) and a shortage of entry-level positions (28pc).

There is also the issue of skills, 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 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 in their current company 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 next five years. These include climate tech, AI and sustainability data, and ESG regulation.  

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