Challenges

The climate and environmental emergency

As the impacts of global warming and biodiversity loss become increasingly severe, the ecological transition represents one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century.

The collapse of biodiversity threatens the very foundations of our societies: food, health, water and the climate.

It undermines the ecosystems on which our economies and our security depend.

Its loss reduces our resilience to environmental and health crises.

Preserving biodiversity means protecting life, resources and our collective future.

The ecological, energy and agricultural transitions are not merely technical developments: they are profound transformations of the ways in which we produce, consume, live, work and cooperate.

They are shaking up our economic models, reshaping professions and giving rise to new skills requirements.

In this context, vocational training is becoming a cornerstone of the transition: it enables everyone – employees, jobseekers, craftspeople, local elected representatives – to become agents of change.

Some key figures

New skills to develop

The urgency of the situation calls for a rapid shift in skills. The jobs of tomorrow will combine technical expertise, innovation and a systems-based approach.

• Agroecology and soil bio-regeneration: agronomists and managers integrating living soils, the carbon cycle and crop resilience.
• Bio-regenerative food systems: professions such as regenerative agronomist, urban farm designer or short supply chain coordinator, who grow healthy food whilst restoring soil fertility and biodiversity.
• Climate and biodiversity: new professions including modelling, planning and ecological restoration.
• Integrated water management: experts in hydrology and sustainable water treatment.
• In the field of oceans, the sea and sustainable fisheries: specialists capable of managing marine ecosystems and restoring biodiversity.
• Renewable energy and grid flexibility: new careers centred on smart, carbon-free systems.
• The circular economy and regenerative design: innovative roles such as eco-designer, recycling manager or reuse expert, who transform our waste into resources and rethink product sustainability.

Skills will need to be cross-disciplinary, combining science, technology and social commitment. Digital innovation and connected systems will be central to the management of resources and environmental impact. The challenge is to innovate whilst respecting planetary and societal boundaries.

Some key figures