Jobs & Skills for a Just Transition: Investing in People for Accelerated NDC Implementation

Recent geopolitical crises have exposed the vulnerability of economies and value chains. At the same time, skills shortages are emerging as a key bottleneck to accelerating the green transition. Existing occupations are changing, and new skills profiles are emerging.

Early investment in skills development can help address skills shortages, strengthen socioeconomic prosperity and resilience, and improve countries’ ability to benefit from the green transition. Skills development is therefore a key enabler for a just transition. Investing in people and institutions is essential to reducing dependency on fossil fuels, strengthening energy and economic security, and supporting high-quality employment.

While skills development is a strategic prerequisite for implementing the green transition, training alone cannot deliver these outcomes: its impact depends on whether it is connected to labour-market needs, supported by strong institutions and investment, and designed to promote inclusion and decent working conditions.

The event will explore how investment in green skills can contribute to three policy goals: reduction of dependency on fossil fuels, energy and economic security, and high-quality employment. The discussion will further address equitable access to training and employment, decent working conditions, inclusion, and gender-responsive approaches to skills development.

A central question for the discussion is how countries can ensure that skills investments translate into practical opportunities for workers and employers - and contribute to a green transition that is both ambitious and just.

A high-level panel bringing together representatives of international organizations, think tanks, and national governments will explore how countries can strengthen economic resilience. Drawing on global data and national experiences, the discussion will examine how countries can address shared challenges in different national contexts and translate insights into concrete action. The panel will consider the roles of governments, employers and training institutions, and how skills policies can be linked to broader economic, energy and labour-market strategies.