Climate KIC Academy

Closing the skills gap to accelerate climate progress

Overview About the Academy Learning partners Funders Modules FAQs

Right now, only one in eight workers have the green skills needed to support the transition to a safe and just future where we live within planetary boundaries. This skills gap is holding us back and slowing down the progress we so urgently need.

Without the right people equipped to lead the change, sustainable practices across industries are being delayed, putting our future at risk.

Watch: The green transition isn't moving fast enough

Our mission

Equiping individuals and helping organisations develop the skills, leadership and transformation capability needed to thrive in a low-carbon, resilient and sustainable economy..

What makes us different?

The Climate KIC Academy understands the need to bridge the gap between technical expertise and the essential leadership skills needed to drive systemic change. We don’t just teach the ‘how’ of climate solutions—we empower participants with the ‘why’ and ‘who’ by cultivating collaboration, systems thinking, and the ability to inspire action across industries, communities, and governments. Our holistic approach ensures that participants leave with practical skills, a global perspective, and the confidence to tackle entrenched challenges.

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What is the green transition?

The shift from today’s resource-intensive economy to one that is low-carbon, resilient, circular and sustainable.

Closing the gap

The green transition needs leaders to help scale progress.

Closing the green skills gap is one of the biggest levers we have to accelerate climate action. Your support can scale proven learning models that equip changemakers across industries and geographies. Discover how your investment can build a climate-ready workforce

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A message to

Learning partners

Together, we can scale impact, connect innovation with action, and create a fairer future for us all.

The green transition can’t succeed without a workforce equipped to lead it. Climate KIC Academy offers customisable, hands-on learning experiences that build the transferable skills needed to drive systemic change. Let’s collaborate to co-create training programmes that meet the urgent needs of your community or sector.

Become a partner

Get involved

The green transition needs more than ambition — it needs people with the right skills. The Climate KIC Academy offers customisable, practical learning experiences designed to equip individuals and organisations with the knowledge, tools, and networks needed to drive real-world climate action.

We’re calling on educational institutions, industry leaders, policymakers, and community advocates to join us. For funders and investors, we invite you to support the expansion of our offerings and reach. For partners, we welcome collaboration on co-developing and delivering programmes. And for future participants, register your interest now for our upcoming trainings — designed to help you become the climate leader your sector needs.

Our tailored learning approaches focus on transferable skills that encourage people to adapt, innovate, and lead across diverse industries. Whether it’s system innovation, climate resilience, or regenerative business models, the Academy helps bridge the gap between climate ambition and workforce capability.

Testimonials

Participation in the Academy has been not only an honorable opportunity for the city of Rivne but also a valuable tool for rethinking governance approaches in the context of climate challenges. A systematic analysis of environmental issues, the integration of practical tools acquired during the training, and the adaptation of European experience in energy efficiency and sustainable planning provide the foundation for developing a long-term climate neutrality strategy.
It is essential to emphasize the importance of collective leadership, which is built on the synergy between government, business, civil society, and international partners, as well as the potential to attract grant resources and investments for the implementation of innovative technologies. Artem Hanuschak Deputy Mayor of Rivne (Learning Partner)

For the Department of Sustainability of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, whose functions include the organization, coordination, and development of the main actions of the Gipuzkoa Strategy to fight Climate Change, consolidating an active and stable communication relationship with the public is vital. In this sense, the social activation laboratories are the perfect framework for developing this social dialogue, and having CLIMATE KIC, as an expert agent with a transnational vision, is an opportunity to continue making firm progress in the rollout of our Strategy at the regional level. Mónica Pedreira General Director of Ecological Transition – Department of Sustainability (Funder)

The J-StarX Europe CleanTech Programme, delivered in collaboration with Climate KIC, exceeded our expectations in every phase. From a rigorous and inclusive selection process to a acceleration and overseas experience, the programme empowered our participants with the skills, insights needed to lead the innovation of Clean-tech. The combination of expert-led sessions, personalized mentoring, and immersive experience in Europe created a transformative journey for our future changemakers. We are proud to have partnered on a programme that truly foster climate entrepreneurship. Yusuke Nagao Director of Investment & Innovation Division – JETRO London (Funder)

The intensive work carried out with the CLIMATE KIC team during the second half of 2024, analyzing and diagnosing the environmental, energy, and climate change situation in the regions of Gipuzkoa, has allowed Naturklima to learn about and utilize the working methodologies of the expert community on climate action. This closeness in addressing environmental issues and their diagnosis is undoubtedly key to the future deployment of social activation laboratories in Gipuzkoa. Ryo Tokoshima Deloitte Tohmatsu Venture Support (DTVS) (Learning Partner)

What we appreciate most of our collaboration with the Climate KIC Academy is their willingness to create space for a different kind of conversation on green skills, one that could hold the urgency of the transition while also asking deeper questions about systems, power, innovation, investment and justice. The Academy helps bring together a thoughtful and diverse group of people, and enables a space where more systemic and imaginative perspectives can be taken seriously. Anca Damerell Director of Innovation – Unearthodox (Learning Partner)