Green Economy Can Deliver Tens of Thousands of Jobs
23 Jun 2009
The Green Economy can deliver tens of thousands of quality jobs for Ireland and help the country achieve 'energy independence', a high-level trade union seminar heard today (Wednesday June 24).
Speaking at a Congress seminar on 'The Potential for Green Economy Jobs', Congress Executive Council member Jerry Shanahan said Ireland was well-placed to follow Germany's example, in terms of job creation, where there will be in excess of 2.5 million Green Economy jobs, by 2030.
"On the scale of the Irish economy, that would amount to about 110,000 jobs," Mr Shanahan said.
The Seminar took place in Dublin's Gresham Hotel, and included trade union speakers, business representatives and green energy experts.
Mr Shanahan pointed out that Green Economy jobs are less prone to being moved abroad: "Jobs in wind, solar, tidal power and biomass are labour intensive and difficult to outsource abroad. We can, at some stage in the future, meet most if not all of our energy needs, and certainly all of our electricity needs from indigenous renewable sources.
"But to do so we need to replicate the experience of Germany and other world leaders in terms of high level political commitment, sound investment and a coherent national strategy on the Green Economy," he added.
Having become 'energy independent' Ireland could emulate countries such as Denmark and even become "a net exporter of electricity," he said.
He pointed out that the state energy sector was best placed to lead growth and development in this area, but its actions had to be planned and coordinated.
"In Ireland, the state energy companies are pioneering many areas of renewable energy and developing new eco-based products and services. We four state companies - ESB, Bord na Mona, Coillte and Bord Gáis - competing to supply a mix of renewables and conventional energy to the Irish electricity market. Good coordination will ensure there is no duplication, or wasting of resources.
Mr Shanahan said any strategy on the Green Economy would have to address regulatory and planning issues. "We need to ask ourselves if we can afford to permit often private, parochial concerns to frustrate vitally needed investment at a time of a national economic emergency," he said.
Conference Organiser, Liam Berney said: "Now more than ever we need to clearly identify the potential for employment in the sector and, crucially, recognise the barriers that exist to the creation of such jobs in order to make clear, accurate recommendations to policy makers. We can't afford to be stuck in the slow lane.
ends
Presentations from the conference can be downloaded from the links below:
Scotland's Renewable Energy Industry - Opportunities and Challenges (Stephen Boyd)
Business (and Job) Opportunities in the Environmental Goods and Services Sector (Peter Brennan)
The Potential for Green Economy Jobs (Marina Donohue)
The Greentech RevolutionThe Potential for Jobs - How can Ireland Benefit? (Brendan Halligan)
Riding the Green Wave - Key Questions for Ireland (Jerry Shanahan)