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As teachers, we've always adapted to meet the needs of our students—and our world. We remember the call to integrate 21st-century skills into our classrooms: collaboration, critical thinking, digital literacy, and problem-solving. We took on that challenge because we knew our students needed to prepare for a rapidly changing future. Today, we’re facing another call. This time, it's about preparing students for a just transition to a green economy by equipping them with green skills—skills that will help them navigate and actively shape a more sustainable and equitable world.

Sustainability education activities and interdisciplinary learning allow students to explore the complexities of climate change through different lenses—such as renewable energy awareness, carbon footprint education, and eco-friendly practices—empowering them to see themselves in roles that contribute to real solutions. And just like 21st-century skills, green job readiness skills are not confined to one subject or one kind of student—they’re essential for all.

How we define green skills matters. The Global Green Skills Report 2023 provides a helpful starting point, highlighting the need for instrumental (technical) and transformative (mindset-shifting) skills. Yet, other frameworks, like the one from Kwauk & Casey (2021), challenge us to think even more broadly. In their view, any job can become a green job if the tasks and outcomes shift in greener directions—and the same goes for skills. That means our lesson plans don’t need to be entirely rewritten; they need to be reimagined through a green lens.

The most in-demand green jobs today require not only technical know-how but also strong interpersonal, socio-emotional, and digital skills. As noted in CHOOSING OUR FUTURE: Education for Climate Action, nearly 94% of business leaders expect employees to learn new skills on the job—a reminder that adaptability, curiosity, and a growth mindset are as important as any technical skill.

As we step into this space, we must also confront the inequities embedded in our education and workforce systems. During a Climate Generation workshop, Christina Kwauk shared that green learning opportunities are not equally distributed across communities. Fields of study connected to green jobs are often inaccessible to underrepresented students, and the green economy remains stratified by race and gender. But teachers are champions for justice.

We can center justice in our climate instruction by giving students opportunities to apply critical thinking, explore power dynamics, and connect environmental data to their own lived experiences—whether through classroom discussion or hands-on climate action projects. Green skills often overlap with the standards we’re already teaching. In the tabs below, you’ll find examples of standards and ready-to-use teaching resources that can help you integrate green skills into your lessons. We hope these examples affirm what you already know: you’ve been doing this work. You’ve been helping students build a better future—and now, with a climate and justice lens, we can do even more.

One powerful way to deepen green skill-building is by drawing a clear line from the content students engage with, to the skills they practice, to the careers they can one day pursue. For example, in a lesson focused on science communication, grades 3-5 students explore a real-world green career that involves translating complex climate and weather data into accessible messages for the public.

Through career awareness, students are introduced to the role through news clips and videos that show the purpose and impact of science communication. In the career exploration phase, they take on the role themselves—preparing presentations based on real climate data and tailoring their messages to different audiences. Finally, through career identity, students reflect on whether science communication aligns with their interests and values.

In doing this, they develop critical green transferable skills:

     •  Communication, by practicing public speaking, writing, and presentation design.

     •  Critical thinking, through analyzing data, evaluating audience needs, and crafting clear, purpose-driven messaging.

     •  Collaboration, by working in teams, giving feedback, and coordinating shared presentations.

This isn’t just about learning—it’s about imagining themselves in meaningful careers that serve people and the planet. When we connect green skills and eco-friendly practices to real opportunities, we help students move from curiosity to confidence, from content knowledge to future pathways. That’s what green learning is all about.

Green skills aren’t limited to one subject—they can be woven into every classroom through engaging, standards-aligned activities. The resources below help students build essential green transferable skills like communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and digital literacy while exploring real-world climate topics. From analyzing greenhouse gas data to designing nature-friendly cities and exploring waste reduction strategies, these interdisciplinary lessons connect content to meaningful action and open the door to future green careers. Whether your focus is science, reading, or social studies, these activities empower students to imagine themselves as problem-solvers in a more just and sustainable world—while also strengthening their environmental literacy.

In this module, students will learn about the economic, technological, and career opportunities related to the ocean. They will explore industries like aquaculture and fishing, renewable ocean energy, and innovations in ocean biotechnology.

This video features Demetrius Milling, a passionate worker-owner at Love Is Love Cooperative Farm, discussing how the farm is leading innovative climate solutions and encouraging others to get involved. Students will learn about the farm’s efforts to provide organic food, reduce the local carbon footprint, and support the community.

In this video, wind turbine technician Jessica Kilroy shares her story and describes a typical day on the job in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The article also includes statistics on the growth of wind power in the U.S. and resources about military veterans working in the wind industry.

In this lesson, students take on the role of science communicators, exploring patterns in temperature change over time. As they analyze data, consider audience perspectives, and craft clear, purpose-driven messages, they build essential green transferable skills—particularly critical thinking and effective communication.

In this lesson, students learn about the benefits of having nature in cities and design a nature city of their own. Students use critical thinking skills - a key green transferable skill.

In this lesson, students discuss and evaluate artwork by Jill Pelto, read Sven's Search for Clean Energy to learn about renewable and nonrenewable energy, and then demonstrate their learning through writing and drawing. Students will invent creative ways to communicate about climate change through a variety of artistic expressions.

In this lesson, students explore the impact of methane emissions from agriculture, work together to research and develop innovative solutions, and discover climate-related careers by choosing a project pathway that connects science, sustainability, and real-world problem solving.

This lesson guides students to create their own education project as a means of informing and inspiring positive change. Students practice analytical skills to assess the impact of learning about climate change and design an educational program.

Approaches to quality education for climate action

What are they and how can I help my students get some? Slide deck workshop hosted by Climate Generation

Education for Climate Action