Education must be central to climate conversations
to ensure everyone is equipped for the road ahead
and to continue the battle against climate change.
While grappling with climate change,
the world continues to navigate numerous significant transformations
The GCC presents untapped opportunities not only for adaptation
but also for navigating these shifts with excellence.
Two crucial efforts drive the climate agenda forward,
influencing behavior change and collective action and cultivating green skills.
Education is imperative in achieving both.
Behavioral change and climate literacy empower individuals
to make informed choices in their daily lives, from their consumption habits
to their work ethics and advocacy.
This is especially important amongst the youth,
who can inspire intergenerational spillover effects.
Green curricula empower our youth to become agents of change
within their communities, instilling new norms
that positively influence their surroundings.
Targeted upskilling and reskilling programs centered around green skills
development are essential to prepare workers for greener economies.
Only 1 in 8 workers in the world has one or more green skills.
There is a pressing need for qualified green talent,
such as wind turbine technicians, sustainable agriculture specialist,
green supply chain managers and environmental engineers.
Sustainability and environmental-related
roles are amongst the fastest growing roles globally.
In fact, green roles are amongst the top 40 rising vacancies.
Demand for workers with green skills is already increasing, with 29%
higher hiring rates for workers with these skills than the workforce average.
Reskilling programs are critical to rehabilitate
displaced workers in a greener economy.
In fact, without reskilling, we estimate that nearly
77 million jobs could be at risk globally.
Around the world,
educational institutions are increasingly recognizing their vital role
in addressing the climate crisis.
Universities are integrating climate-related courses and programs
into their curricula, supporting research on climate change,
and amending their own policies to reduce their carbon footprint.
Institutions in the GCC are introducing courses in climate sustainability
and environmental engineering and are also establishing climate change research centers
that examine ways to reduce water consumption and improve waste management.
Local initiatives are promising. Yet cross-regional growth
in sustainability education requires stepping up action.
When we share a mutual understanding of the challenges and opportunities
ahead, we can take faster collective action to benefit all.
BCG was actively championing the need for education in climate action at COP28,
leading the conversation on promoting concrete actions
and solutions through greening education.
Education is integral to the climate change agenda.
By empowering sustainable choices, preparing our workforce for the future,
and building adaptive capacity and community resilience,
we can protect our planet and ensure no one is left behind.