An International Comparative Analysis of Green Skills Development under Global Climate Governance

Xiuzhen Jiang; Lihong Wang; Hairong Wang; Zheng Ma

doi:10.1016/j.eng.2026.09.003

Engineering ›› :202609003 DOI: 10.1016/j.eng.2026.09.003

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An International Comparative Analysis of Green Skills Development under Global Climate Governance

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Abstract

Green skills are essential for translating climate commitments into effective green transitions. We argue that green skills development is fundamentally an institutional coordination challenge, which depends on how public commitment (PC) and employer involvement (EI) are combined. Drawing on an institutional perspective on skill formation, this study conducts a structured comparison of 13 jurisdictions and identifies three main configurations: high PC and high EI, medium-to-high levels on both dimensions, and stronger PC than EI. Representative cases further show that similar configurations may rest on different institutional foundations and exhibit distinct strengths and limitations. The comparison indicates that PC alone is insufficient unless it is coordinated with sustained EI across policy design, qualification systems, funding mechanisms, and education and training provision. We therefore call for coherent public governance, institutionalized employer participation, and international cooperation that underpins effective green skills development.

Keywords

Global climate governance / Green skills development / Institutional perspective / Public commitment / Employer involvement

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Xiuzhen Jiang, Lihong Wang, Hairong Wang, Zheng Ma. An International Comparative Analysis of Green Skills Development under Global Climate Governance. Engineering 202609003 DOI:10.1016/j.eng.2026.09.003

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