Workforce and Population Strategies for the Green Transition
Labour as an Implementation Gap
This report examines the workforce and demographic challenges of the green transition. As industries and societies move toward low-carbon solutions, ensuring a skilled and adaptable workforce is essential. The report explores key labour market trends, skills gaps, and policy measures needed to support a just and effective transition.
The report concludes on more than 70 sources and interviews conducted with experts across the world, to map out the key challenges and opportunities in workforce development. The result is an identification of the most important bottlenecks for ensuring a qualified workforce for the green transition and provides a framework for addressing them strategically.
The six identified bottlenecks are:
Lack of labour as an implementation gap – The workforce shortages in the Global North and insufficient skill development in the Global South create imbalances.
Gender disparity in the green labour market – The green labour market risks excluding half of the workforce from crucial roles, worsening existing inequalities.
People in transition from declining industries and migration – These groups require targeted support to ensure economic stability and public backing for climate policies.
Lack of skills posing as an implementation gap – Mismatch gaps lead to green investments being underutilised.
Shortage of trainers and green VET institutions – Deficiencies in the educational sector hinders effective upskilling.
Silos across administrations and sectors – Lack of collaboration result in fragmented policies, slowing the development of a workforce fit for the green transition.
To help decision-makers navigate these challenges, the report introduces two key models:
Quadrature of Competencies – Maps the essential skills needed across different sectors.
Synergy Model – Offers a structured approach for aligning workforce development with industry, education, and policy efforts.
These models serve as practical tools for shaping labour market strategies that can accelerate the green transition.
Download the full report, executive summary, and model overviews below.
