New Climate KIC Academy Launched to Bridge Green Skills Gap

Climate KIC launches a new Academy to bridge the green skills gap

For over 15 years, Climate KIC (Europe’s leading climate innovations agency) has been at the forefront of climate innovation, equipping individuals and organisations with the skills and knowledge needed to drive systemic change. Now, as Europe advances the Clean Industrial Deal to accelerate sustainability-driven business models, a critical challenge remains: the workforce lacks the necessary skills to drive this transition. Currently, only one in eight workers possess at least one green skill essential for advancing climate ambitions.

To bridge this gap, Climate KIC is launching the Climate KIC Academy – a transformative initiative designed to equip individuals with the critical skills needed to accelerate the transition to a sustainable economy. This effort aims to support a fair and just future where humanity thrives within planetary boundaries. As industries evolve in response to the demands of climate action, the workforce must evolve with them. However, the existing skills gap poses a major barrier to progress.

The Climate KIC Academy addresses this challenge by integrating technical green skills with transversal leadership capabilities—ensuring that sustainability efforts are not just understood but effectively led.

The Climate KIC Academy exists to encourage more people to lead by providing necessary education that combines essential technical and transversal skills

Solla Zophoniasdottir, Learning Director at Climate KIC

Bridging the climate skills divide

While industries are developing solutions such as renewable energy, carbon accounting, and sustainable engineering, these technical advancements alone are not enough. The real problem lies in the ability to lead, communicate, and drive systemic transformation.

The Climate KIC Academy’s innovative programmes address this by combining:

• Technical green skills: Knowledge in areas like circular economy, urban design, and sustainability frameworks provided by our partners.
• Leadership and systems thinking: The ability to navigate complex challenges, create collaboration, and influence sustainable action across sectors.
• Conflict resolution and communication: Equipping individuals with the tools to engage effectively in policy, business, and community-driven initiatives.

By blending these critical competencies, the Climate KIC Academy ensures that participants—whether they are professionals entering the green economy, corporate leaders shaping sustainability strategies, or future participants driving local change—are equipped to make a real impact.

Discover more here