Number of 'green jobs' in Northern Ireland now higher than UK average

PwC UK’s latest Green Jobs Barometer shows that in Northern Ireland, green jobs as a proportion of all job adverts increased from 1.9% in 2022 to 2.4%, and is now higher than the UK average of 2.3%.

The research also shows that Northern Ireland is one of only two areas to have seen an increase in green job adverts from 2022 into 2023, albeit a small increase at 1.7%.

First launched in November 2021, the PwC UK Green Jobs Barometer tracks movements in green job creation, job loss, carbon intensity of employment, and worker sentiment across economic regions and sectors. In 2022, Northern Ireland was ranked bottom of the barometer, but its comparative strong performance in green job creation this year has moved up seven places to rank fifth overall.

Northern Ireland saw an increase in the number of green job adverts in the information and communication (63.1%), financial and insurance activities (50%) and professional, scientific and technical activities (20.2%) sectors. This growth was partially offset however by reductions in other sectors including accommodation and food services (-77.8%) and manufacturing (-54%).

Jason Calvert, director at PwC Northern Ireland, said: “It’s encouraging to see green job creation in Northern Ireland showing resilience. The focus now needs to be on creating solutions for businesses in Northern Ireland to help ensure that our economy can capitalise on the opportunities of the net zero transition.

“The path forward will require a concerted effort by both employers and policy-makers. Employers need to be looking closely at jobs that may disappear, new jobs that may be created, and considering how they can equip existing employees with the right skills to make the transition between jobs.

"Policy makers need to be empowered to innovate and take risks in the development of novel approaches in the policy domains that will support this transition. These include incentivising higher education in fields that will support the net zero transition, creating better conditions to retain new graduates in the region, and improving the business environment for attracting further inward investment."