ICSE 2025 urges green skills education to drive sustainable economy

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ICSE 2025 urges green skills education to drive sustainable economy

ICSE 2025 urges green skills education to drive sustainable economy

Articles
Oct 03,25

The 7th ICSE in New Delhi closed with calls to bridge India’s green skills gap, align education with jobs, and advance sustainability goals.

ICSE 2025 urges green skills education to drive sustainable economy

The 7th International Conference on Sustainability Education (ICSE) was held at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, and addressed one of today’s pressing challenges—bridging the skills gap for the green economy. Under the theme “Sustainability Education for Green Jobs,” ICSE 2025 became one of the first global forums to unite educators, policymakers, industry leaders, and youth to reimagine education as the driver of a sustainable and inclusive future.

Building on earlier editions, ICSE 2025 focused on aligning education with the needs of green jobs in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, circular economy, eco-tourism, and biodiversity. Plenary sessions and workshops examined how STEM education, vocational training, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning could be reoriented for sustainability-driven employment. The programme also explored the blue economy, connecting education with the knowledge and skills required for sustainable use of ocean resources.

The event aligned with India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 on quality education, and SDG 8 on decent work and growth. Discussions emphasised equity and inclusion, ensuring marginalised groups benefited from green job opportunities, fostering a just transition.

Dr Benno Boer, Chief, UNESCO South-Asia, stressed collaboration: “It was vital for governments and the private sector to design and scale programmes unlocking new employment pathways. Green jobs built a more resilient world.”

Pradip Kumar Das, Chairman and Managing Director, IREDA Limited, added: “India’s net zero path by 2070 demanded disciplined decarbonisation, reduced fossil fuel reliance, and stronger green education. Empowering farmers and scaling energy manufacturing were key. Widespread education corrected misconceptions, expanding renewables beyond solar and driving shared responsibility.”

Sustainability influencers Anuj Ramatri and Aalekh Kapoor engaged youth with grassroots innovations. Amit Verma, Director, Green Transition, NITI Aayog, said: “Our priority was preparing a workforce for green economy demands. Education and training bridged innovation and implementation.”

From academia, Prof. Prithvi Yadav, President and Vice Chancellor, Shri Padampat Singhania University, noted: “Green jobs required technical knowledge and stewardship. Universities had to nurture employable, responsible citizens.” Kartikeya Sarabhai, Founder Director, Centre for Environment Education, added: “Classrooms needed transformation into sustainability laboratories through experiential learning.”

Dr Ram Boojh, Advisor, Mobius Foundation and ICSE Convener, remarked: “For seven years, ICSE provided dialogue and action. This year’s focus on green jobs underscored urgency in closing skills gaps and linking education with livelihoods.”

The conference adopted recommendations to integrate green skills into curricula, foster innovation, and build partnerships. In closing remarks, Pradip Burman, Chairman, and Praveen Garg, President, Mobius Foundation, reaffirmed their commitment to making sustainability education central to India’s development. ICSE 2025 reinforced its role as a global movement advancing sustainability education and preparing a skilled workforce for the green economy.