Go Green. Go Global.
Green Skills at COP.
Demand Global Action: Prioritise Green Skills at COP to Tackle Biodiversity and Climate Crises
What You Need to Know

The Conference of the Parties (COP) is a global summit where world leaders and representatives from nearly every country gather to tackle climate change and protect our planet. These meetings are crucial because they set the international agenda for how we address environmental challenges, such as global warming and biodiversity loss.
At COP16 and COP29, nations are required to develop and update their national action plans, detailing how they will achieve positive outcomes for nature and combat climate change. This includes setting targets, implementing policies, and securing investments to drive real change. But here’s the thing: without the right education, skills, and jobs in place, we will struggle to meet these global targets. That’s why we’re advocating for a crucial element in these action plans—the integration of green skills into national workforces.
The difference between COP16 and COP29? COP16 is focused on biodiversity conservation, while COP29 is about combating climate change. Both involve developing and updating national action plans, but their primary goals are distinct—biodiversity protection for COP16 and climate change mitigation for COP29. In both instances, the focus remains on creating a sustainable future, but the stakes have only grown higher as the climate crisis deepens.
Arlette Anderson
Non-Executive Director, Chair of Professional Standards Committee, Chair Fellow at IEMA
Becky Speight
CEO at RSPB
Craig Bennett
CEO at Wildlife Trusts
Dan Rice
Group Purchasing Director at Techbuyer
Dr. Darren Moorcroft
CEO at Woodland Trust
Dr. Shamir Ghumra
Executive Director of Responsible Business at NHS Property
Dr. Stephane Hime
Director and Founder at Little Blue Research
Gudrun Cartwright
Climate Action Director at Business in the Community
Owen Anderson
Head of Sustainability at OVO
Richard Bentwell
Chief Executive at Wildlife and Countryside
Sarah Mukherjee
CEO at IEMA
Shelley Preston
Vice President of Sales & Strategic Accounts at Adecco
Trevor Hutchings
CEO at Renewable Energy Association





