Green Skills for Southeast Asian Students in the Net Zero Economy

1. Kỹ năng xanh là nền tảng cho quá trình chuyển đổi sang Net Zero:

In the context of increasingly severe climate change and global commitments to carbon neutrality, the transition to a green economy and a net-zero emissions economy is becoming an inevitable development trend. This transition requires not only changes in technology, policies, and production models but also a workforce with the skills to meet the demands of sustainable development. Green skills are considered a core element in enabling the workforce to adapt to the new requirements of the green economy. Currently, "green jobs" are emerging as new pillars, creating millions of significant employment opportunities (Ngo Thanh Tung et al., 2025)[1]The International Labour Organization (ILO) recently emphasized the need for "Skills for a Greener Future"[2].

The transition to a green economy not only alters the structure of occupations but also leads to significant changes in the content and skill requirements of many types of jobs. According to the ILO report, " Skills for a Greener Future: A Global View Based on 32 Country Studiestạm dịch: Kỹ năng cho một tương lai xanh hơn: Góc nhìn toàn cầu dựa trên 32 nghiên cứu quốc gia)[3] this transition can be divided into three main trends. First is reskilling of existing occupations, where workers need to be retrained to adapt to new technologies, production processes, or environmental standards. Many traditional jobs in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, or energy continue to exist, but require workers to acquire additional knowledge and skills related to energy efficiency, resource management, or emission reduction. Secondly, there is the upskilling trend, where workers need additional training to perform more complex tasks related to green technology, environmental management, or operating environmentally friendly production systems. This trend is particularly evident in sectors such as renewable energy, green building, and waste management. Thirdly, there is the emergence of entirely new professions directly linked to environmental protection and climate change adaptation, such as climate change specialists, energy auditors, carbon market analysts, or technicians for installing and operating renewable energy systems. These changes demonstrate that the green transition not only creates new job opportunities but also increases the demand for training and skill development for the workforce to meet the growing requirements of a sustainable economy.

According to the report, skills development is considered a crucial condition for countries to successfully achieve green growth goals and address climate change. Analysis of national commitments and policies shows that many countries have begun integrating training and capacity building into their climate and sustainable development strategies. However, the level of emphasis on green skills training still varies among countries. Of the 32 countries studied, approximately 72% mentioned training or capacity building in their climate change-related policies, but only a few explicitly addressed green skills development or climate change education within their formal training systems. Despite the increasing demand for green skills training, its integration into education and vocational training systems remains inadequate in many countries.

Furthermore, international organizations and academic studies emphasize that green skills play a crucial role in supporting the transition to a sustainable economy. In the context of ASEAN countries promoting green economic development and implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), developing green skills for youth and students is considered essential to ensuring a workforce capable of meeting the demands of the new labor market. According to a report by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the transition to a green economy could create approximately 24 million new jobs globally by 2030, particularly in sectors such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and the circular economy[4]The green labor market in ASEAN is expanding rapidly, with prominent sectors including renewable energy (projected to grow by 36.6% in Vietnam)[5] Green skills are not only a factor in supporting environmental protection but also a crucial foundation for the future development of economic sectors.

This demonstrates the strong upward trend in green employment as countries increasingly promote sustainable development goals and carbon neutrality. The growth of the green economy is generating rising demand for skills and occupations related to environmental protection, clean energy, the circular economy, and sustainable resource management. This highlights the importance of developing green skills among young people and university students in preparing a workforce that can meet the demands of the future labor market in a Net Zero economy.

2. Green skills requirements for students in a Net Zero economy.

One of the key skill sets in the Net Zero economy is expertise in environmental technology and resource management. The development of green economic sectors such as renewable energy, green building, waste management, and the circular economy requires workers to possess knowledge of clean technologies, energy efficiency, and solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. According to research by the ILO and CEDEFOP[6] on skills for green jobs, sectors such as energy, manufacturing, agriculture, and construction are facing a shortage of expertise related to energy efficiency, clean technologies, and environmental management.

According to research by OECD[7]the transition to a low-carbon economy requires education and training systems to equip learners with a comprehensive set of skills to meet the needs of businesses in a sustainable and resource-efficient production environment. These skills include not only expertise in green technology, renewable energy, or environmental management, but also fundamental competencies such as environmental awareness, innovation, systems thinking, and the ability to adapt to changes in the labor market. The report emphasizes that the "greening" of the economy is a dynamic process, leading to changes in skill requirements across most professions; therefore, every individual – including students undergoing training – needs to be equipped with competencies related to environmental management , resource efficiency, and sustainable development to work effectively in the new economy .

From the above analysis, it can be seen that green skills in the Net Zero economy encompass various competency groups, ranging from technical skills related to environmental technology, innovation and systems thinking skills to sustainability awareness and attitudes. For students – the future workforce – equipping them with these skills not only enhances their adaptability to the labor market but also contributes to promoting the transition to a green economy and sustainable development.

3. The role of higher education in developing green skills for students.

In the context of the transition to a green economy and the goal of net zero emissions, higher education plays a crucial role in preparing a workforce with the necessary skills to meet the demands of a sustainable labor market. Universities are not only providers of specialized knowledge but also environments for shaping the mindset, values, and skills necessary for students to participate in the development of a green economy. According to UNESCO, higher education plays a vital role in promoting Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) by integrating environmental, climate change, and sustainable development content into student curricula and academic activities. Climate change education is a key component of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) because it helps people understand key issues, change attitudes and behaviors, and take action to mitigate climate change.[8]

Besides reforming training programs, higher education also needs to promote experiential and interdisciplinary learning methods to help students develop the skills necessary for a green economy. Studies show that participation in research projects, community activities, or collaborative programs with businesses can help students better understand environmental issues and sustainable development in practice. According to the OECD[9], strengthening the link between higher education and the labor market through cooperation with businesses and social organizations is a crucial factor in improving the effectiveness of green skills training for students.

Through curriculum innovation, promoting experiential learning methods, and strengthening collaboration with stakeholders in society, enhancing green skills training capacity in universities will play a crucial role in preparing high-quality human resources for the green transition and sustainable development, especially in the context of the growing global trend of the Net Zero economy.

Conclusion

In the context of climate change and the global trend towards a net-zero emissions economy, the need for a green workforce is becoming increasingly urgent. The development of green economic sectors, along with the rise of "green jobs," is not only changing the structure of industries but also placing new demands on the skills and capabilities of the future workforce. Among these, students – a young and highly qualified workforce – are considered a crucial group needing to be equipped with the necessary skills to adapt to the changing labor market in a green economy.

Studies show that green skills encompass not only technical competencies related to environmental technology, renewable energy, or resource management, but also transformative skills such as systems thinking, innovation, environmental awareness, and a sustainable development-oriented attitude. These skills enable workers to adapt to the rapid changes in industries and contribute to promoting sustainable production and consumption patterns.

In this context, higher education plays a crucial role in developing green skills for students. By integrating sustainable development content into curricula, promoting experiential learning methods, and strengthening collaboration with businesses and social organizations, universities can contribute to preparing a workforce with the necessary skills to participate in the green transition. Simultaneously, raising environmental awareness and encouraging student participation in sustainable development initiatives helps to shape a generation of workers who are socially and environmentally responsible.

From the above analysis, it can be seen that developing green skills for students is not only a requirement of the labor market but also a crucial factor in promoting the transition to a sustainable economy in Southeast Asia. In the future, strengthening education policies, innovating training programs, and promoting cooperation between schools, businesses, and international organizations will play a vital role in enhancing students' green skills, thereby contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals and the Net Zero goals of countries in the region.

Reference::

1. Ngô Thị Thanh Tùng, Trần Thị Phương Nam, Nguyễn Thị Hảo (2025). Giáo dục kỹ năng xanh: Cầu nối giữa năng lực nghề nghiệp của thanh niên và thị trường lao động bền vững ở Đông Nam Á. TNU Journal of Science and Technology.
2. International Labour Organization (ILO) (2019). Skills for a Greener Future: A Global View Based on 32 Country Studies.
3. https://www.ilo.org/publications/skills-greener-future-global-view
4. International Labour Organization (ILO) & CEDEFOP (2011). Skills for Green Jobs.
5. https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/wcmsp5/groups/public/@ed_emp/@ifp_skills/documents/publication/wcms_142477.pdf
6. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (2010). Greener Skills and Jobs for a Low-Carbon Future.
7. https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/greener-skills-and-jobs-for-a-low-carbon-future_5k3v1dtzlxzq-en.html
8. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (2020). Education for Sustainable Development: A Roadmap.
9. https://www.unesco.org/en/education-sustainable-development/roadmap
10. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (2021). Green Jobs and the Green Economy.