Building skills for a greener world
Creating meaningful and lasting change in the world requires collaboration and collective action, particularly as we confront the impact of climate change and strive toward a low-carbon society.
The growing impact of climate change, coupled with the critical shift toward a low-carbon economy, presents one of the most demanding challenges of our time. Addressing this transformation requires immediate action and collective effort to build a sustainable future for generations to come. Over the past year, we have worked relentlessly to guide clients on their sustainable journeys while also taking proactive steps within our own business and operations.
Rana Ghandour Salhab, People and Purpose Leader at Deloitte Middle East, highlighting the broader impact of the initiative: "Environmental education and youth empowerment are key pillars of Deloitte Middle East’s purpose and climate strategies. We feel privileged to work with our communities, especially university professors and students, to contribute to the region's sustainable development goals, and foster a resilient, innovative economy that can thrive in the face of environmental challenges, while also raising eco-conscious generations and instilling a strong sense of environmental responsibility in the region’s future leaders."
The transition to net-zero offers significant economic opportunities, driving innovation and job creation through the development of new products, technologies, and services. However, to create a fairer and more equitable society, we must ensure that everyone can participate in this emerging green economy. This requires providing groups such as students and professors within our communities with access to the essential skills and training required to secure high-quality green jobs. Ensuring inclusive access to these opportunities is pivotal for driving sustainable and equitable economic growth.
To help address this challenge, Deloitte has collaborated with the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) to develop and deliver a green skills training course, “Green skills for a green economy: An introduction to environmental sustainability.” This course is specifically designed to equip people, including underrepresented groups, with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in a future driven by sustainability and gain access to fulfilling green career pathways. The interactive course introduces environmental sustainability, an overview of the changing economy, and the implications for green jobs and skills. The training supports participants in developing green skills for their current roles or exploring new career opportunities, bridging the gap between education and employment market needs.
Dr. Dima Jamali, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Canadian University Dubai (CUD), one of the universities that benefitted from the training, emphasized the program's strategic importance, stating, "This training represents a pivotal advancement in harmonizing our academic practices with both international sustainability benchmarks and the UAE's ambitious sustainability agenda. By empowering our students and faculty with this knowledge, we are not merely educating; we are cultivating a generation of sustainability advocates who are equipped to actively contribute to sustainable practices in their professional and personal spheres."
In FY24, Deloitte trained nearly 400 individuals from more than 22 nationalities across the Middle East and the UK. In the Middle East alone, six training modules were delivered to university students and professors in the UAE, Jordan, and Lebanon. This training indirectly impacted over 9,000 individuals in the region, as the participating professors integrated their newly acquired knowledge into their classrooms, creating a powerful ripple effect.
The Green Skills training course highly aligns with Deloitte’s WorldClass ambition to impact 100 million people by the year 2030, and Deloitte’s WorldClimate strategy aimed at driving responsible climate choices within our organization and beyond.)
