Teaching Green Skills What Actions Are Post-Secondary Institutions Taking?
The federal government has committed to having the country achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Post-secondary institutions (PSIs) play a key role in helping Canada reach this goal because they equip students with the skills and know-how needed to transition to a more sustainable economy. These multi-faceted competencies are broadly considered to be green skills.
Given the importance of higher education in the net-zero mission
and the projected growth in demand for green skills,6 we sought
to understand the following: What actions are post-secondary
institutions taking to equip students with these skills?
To answer this question, we interviewed 41 post-secondary
leaders and educators specializing in green skills training in
higher education.
Key Insights
PSIs also often aim to embed green skills teaching across all programs, including those not conventionally associated with green skills training (e.g., history and math).
Beyond the classroom, PSIs offer informal opportunities for students to learn and practice green skills, such as through clubs and other student-led activities.
Many PSIs have committed to sustainability frameworks (e.g., the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals), but they encounter resource constraints, administrative obstacles, and a limited number of advocates driving change. These pose challenges to teaching green skills effectively.