The summit is a key part of EDC’s global Skills for a Green Future initiative which aims to spur investment and action in scaling sustainable and inclusive jobs in the green and blue economies.
![Skills for a Green Future](https://www.edc.org/sites/default/files/greenskills-featured-page-4.jpg)
COP28 Discussion PaperCoalition One-Pager
Global economies are facing an era of seismic transformation.
The climate transition is redefining the future of work, urgently requiring new competencies, reshaping industries and entire communities. Without a skilled workforce ready for this future, our progress toward a climate-resilient world stalls, leaving the fate of essential climate initiatives in the balance.
Yet despite this need, more than 60 percent of current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) lack implementation plans regarding skills development. Meanwhile, traditional education and training systems struggle to adapt and deliver relevant skills training and workforce development. If left unaddressed, the gap between a skilled workforce and a new labor market will grow; disproportionately impacting young people and women, as they are already more likely to be under-educated, unemployed, or underemployed in the informal economy.
The stakes couldn’t be higher: 1.8 billion young people are standing at the precipice of this global change, poised to enter an uncertain labor market shaped not just by climate impacts, but also rapidly evolving technologies and a global demographic shift – making them the largest youth population and workforce in history.
Without action, we risk exacerbating inequities and holding back young people from their potential and power to drive a sustainable future.
Realizing our collective climate ambitions is only possible with a workforce ready to power the economy of the future. We must work across sectors to advance sustainable and inclusive jobs in the green and blue economies for the next generation.
Featured
![](https://www.edc.org/sites/default/files/guardian-article-header.jpg)
EDC CEO Liesbet Steer argues that education and training for green jobs are an integral but overlooked aspect of climate discussions and policy.
![Group of Liberian men and women holding solar panels wearing vests labeled LIB Solar](https://www.edc.org/sites/default/files/OWOW1_0.jpg)
EDC's 10-year mission to support 1 million youth in their pursuit of inclusive and sustainable jobs in the green and blue economy
![](https://www.edc.org/sites/default/files/EDCatCOP28banner-2.jpg)
EDC is honored to join alongside partners and peers at this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai.
![The Big Opportunity: Insights from the Africa Climate Summit 2023 A photo of participants of the Africa Climate Summit 2023](https://www.edc.org/sites/default/files/acs-blog-image.jpg)
EDC's Melanie Sany discusses Africa’s role in the green and blue economy, and the need to invest in youth and education.
![EDC Leads National Convening on Preparing a Green and Blue Workforce A photo collage representing EDC Leads National Convening on Preparing a Green and Blue Workforce](https://www.edc.org/sites/default/files/240205_BlueGreenConf-banner.png)
The summit is a key part of EDC’s global Skills for a Green Future initiative which aims to spur investment and action in scaling sustainable and inclusive jobs in the green and blue economies.
![](https://www.edc.org/sites/default/files/guardian-article-header.jpg)
EDC CEO Liesbet Steer argues that education and training for green jobs are an integral but overlooked aspect of climate discussions and policy.
![Group of Liberian men and women holding solar panels wearing vests labeled LIB Solar](https://www.edc.org/sites/default/files/OWOW1_0.jpg)
EDC's 10-year mission to support 1 million youth in their pursuit of inclusive and sustainable jobs in the green and blue economy
![](https://www.edc.org/sites/default/files/EDCatCOP28banner-2.jpg)
EDC is honored to join alongside partners and peers at this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai.
![The Big Opportunity: Insights from the Africa Climate Summit 2023 A photo of participants of the Africa Climate Summit 2023](https://www.edc.org/sites/default/files/acs-blog-image.jpg)
EDC's Melanie Sany discusses Africa’s role in the green and blue economy, and the need to invest in youth and education.