Sustainability encompasses various aspects such as environmental conservation, social equity, economic viability, and cultural preservation, with the aim of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
The sustainability skills and knowledge challenge refers to the necessity for individuals, organizations, and societies to develop competencies and understanding related to sustainability. This includes understanding environmental systems, grasping the interconnections of social, economic, and environmental factors, and being able to develop and implement sustainable solutions.
Bottleneck for the future
In order to be future proof and in order to succeed in the green transition, organizations need people with skills and knowledge about sustainability. According to “Sustainability in Finland” -report (2023) companies' skills gap on sustainability is a bottleneck for the future. Only 6% of respondents assessed the adequacy of the company's competences in relation to the company's sustainability objectives.
From global point of if view a research by Microsoft and Boston Consulting Group declares that ”as we look at the roughly 3,900 companies that have made climate pledges, it’s readily apparent that the work to turn these pledges into progress will require far more talent with sustainability skills and fluency than currently is being trained within these companies’ businesses”.
Essential areas of sustainability expertise
Addressing the sustainability skills and knowledge challenge requires education and training at various levels. It also involves fostering a culture that values sustainability and encourages continuous learning and innovation in this area. Key areas of sustainability skills and knowledge can include:
- Environmental: Understanding ecological systems, biodiversity, climate change, and resource management.
- Social: Recognizing the social dimensions of sustainability, including equity, diversity, and community engagement.
- Economic: Grasping concepts such as circular economy, responsible consumption, and sustainable business practices.
- Systems thinking: Developing the ability to understand and address complex, interconnected problems.
- Innovation and creativity: Generating new ideas and solutions to promote sustainability.
- Collaboration and communication: Working effectively with diverse stakeholders and communicating sustainability concepts clearly.
Our contribution
At Learnsy we are committed to addressing the sustainability skills gaps and supporting organizations on their sustainability journey. By consolidating sustainability learning opportunities into a single platform, we are enabling access to essential knowledge and want to craft tailored learning paths that align with employees' job roles, their interests and organizations sustainability goals.
With Learnsy, we're paving the way for a more sustainable future, one empowered employee at a time. Join the journey!
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