The ecological transition is often approached from the perspective of technologies, regulations, or new jobs. However, the European Commission is now calling for a shift in perspective: succeeding in this transition primarily requires developing new skills.
This is the whole point of GreenComp , the European framework for sustainability skills. Developed by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission and widely used today by SALTO Green within the framework of Erasmus+, this framework proposes an original approach: to consider sustainability not as an additional discipline, but as a cross-cutting skill that concerns all citizens, all professional sectors and all levels of education.
For vocational education and training (VET) establishments, this approach opens up new perspectives. Training for the ecological transition is no longer just about transmitting knowledge about climate or biodiversity: it is about preparing learners to understand a complex world, to cooperate and to act responsibly in their future profession.
A skill before it is knowledge
The first lesson of GreenComp is undoubtedly the most surprising. The framework doesn't aim to train environmental specialists. It seeks to develop individuals capable of thinking, planning, and acting with empathy and responsibility, respecting the planet's limits , while also considering social justice and the well-being of present and future generations. The ecological transition depends not only on what we know, but also on how we reason, collaborate, and make decisions. This vision extends far beyond "green" professions. It concerns farmers as much as chefs, educators, technicians, farm managers, or business leaders.
Understanding that everything is connected: systems thinking
Among the twelve skills identified by GreenComp, one stands out as particularly essential: systems thinking . The report emphasizes that the challenges we face can no longer be addressed in isolation. Agriculture, food, biodiversity, health, energy, the economy, mobility, and employment are all deeply interconnected. Developing green skills therefore means learning to analyze these interactions rather than solving problems in isolation. This approach encourages learners to move beyond a linear view of situations to understand the chain reactions, interdependencies, and sometimes unexpected consequences of their decisions.
For vocational education and training, this skill is particularly valuable. Future professionals will need to be able to integrate environmental, economic, and social dimensions into their daily practices, regardless of their sector or level of responsibility. This approach also resonates with teaching methods that emphasize field observation, the analysis of real-life situations, and the cross-fertilization of perspectives to understand the complexity of local areas.
Imagining futures rather than passively experiencing changes
Another unique aspect of GreenComp is its emphasis on the ability to envision the future. The ecological transition is accompanied by uncertainty. Jobs are evolving, technologies are transforming, and economic models are changing. Rather than preparing young people for a single future, GreenComp aims to develop their capacity to explore multiple possible scenarios, demonstrate adaptability, and consider new solutions. This " anticipatory skill " represents a true paradigm shift. Training is no longer simply about transmitting knowledge; it's also about learning to navigate a world where the answers are not always known in advance.
Values in action
The European framework is structured around four main, complementary dimensions:
- embody the values of sustainability, by developing a sense of responsibility, fairness and respect for living things;
- understanding complexity, thanks in particular to systems thinking and critical thinking;
- imagining sustainable futures, by developing creativity, the ability to anticipate and adaptability;
- actindividually and collectively, to support the necessary transformations.
This progression is particularly interesting. It shows that the ecological transition is not limited to the acquisition of knowledge: it gradually leads from understanding the world to the ability to transform that world.
GreenComp, a guide for Erasmus+ projects
This framework is also a valuable resource for teams developing Erasmus+ projects. The program's "environment and climate action" priority goes beyond simply reducing the carbon footprint of mobility or organizing awareness campaigns. It also aims to develop sustainable skills among learners, teachers, and organizations. GreenComp thus provides a common language for designing projects that integrate sustainability into learning, partnerships, and teaching practices. It encourages teams to ask themselves a simple yet essential question: What sustainability skills will our learners develop through this project?
GreenComp reminds us that the ecological transition is first and foremost a human transition . It depends not only on technological innovations or regulatory changes, but also on our collective ability to understand a complex world, to cooperate, to imagine alternative futures, and to act responsibly. For vocational education and training (VET) institutions, this framework offers much more than a theoretical basis: it proposes a new way of thinking about learning and supporting young people towards the jobs of tomorrow.
