Commissioned by CIEEM, this research engaged three cohorts across the sector: professionals; academics; and students; to examine the main skills and capacity challenges affecting the ecology profession in Ireland, their drivers, and the actions required to address them.

The report shows that the ecology sector in Ireland is experiencing a significant capacity challenge. The issue extends beyond recruitment difficulties within individual organisations and has wider implications for project delivery, environmental compliance, and national policy implementation. Ecological skills are an essential component of statutory assessment, planning, infrastructure, housing, renewable energy, biodiversity reporting, and nature restoration.

Evidence from this study indicates that skills shortages, limited training opportunities, and barriers to career entry and progression, are already affecting the ability to meet demand, while legislative and policy requirements continue to expand.

This research was conducted by BioSense in collaboration with UCD.