More than 130 countries around the world are aiming to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. But technology alone won’t make it happen — people will. The transition to a sustainable economy depends on how societies think, learn, and act. Education is now emerging as one of the most powerful tools for climate progress — not just for knowledge, but for changing behavior, building green skills, and helping communities adapt.
The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report “Education as a Catalyst for Climate Progress” shows that education is not a background factor — it’s a driver of real transformation. Learning empowers people to understand climate risks, to act responsibly, and to take part in building a fair, sustainable future.
When people understand how their choices affect the environment, they start changing their daily habits — from how they travel and eat to how they heat their homes. Climate-literate citizens influence their families, workplaces, and communities, creating a chain reaction of change.
To make this shift faster, education systems must move beyond textbooks and lectures. They need hands-on, action-based programs that engage students in real projects. One example is India’s Green Schools Programme, where students and teachers lead local initiatives on waste reduction and energy efficiency. Italy, New Zealand, and Mexico have gone further — integrating climate literacy into national curricula.
But what schools do is just as important as what they teach. Using renewable energy, reducing waste, and sourcing sustainable meals all set a visible example. Schools become living laboratories of the future — showing how sustainability can be practiced, not just studied.
BCG highlights another crucial point: the need to develop green skills. As economies shift from “brown” to “green,” millions of workers will need retraining. Without it, as many as 77 million jobs worldwide could be at risk. Yet if countries invest in education and reskilling, the green transition could create millions of new jobs — from solar engineers to energy-efficiency specialists.
A just transition means that no one is left behind. People in carbon-intensive industries need opportunities to retrain and find their place in the new economy. Success requires close cooperation between governments, businesses, and educational institutions.
Examples already exist. In the United States, the Greater Houston Partnership is analyzing the region’s green-skills gap and adapting local education programs to fill it. In South Africa, the National Business Initiative has mapped sector-by-sector reskilling needs — from energy to mining — to ensure workers are not left behind as industries evolve.
BCG also stresses that education strengthens climate resilience. So far, most investments in adaptation have focused on infrastructure — dams, grids, and drainage systems. But without human capacity, such investments won’t be enough.
One of the most powerful levers is education for women and girls. In many parts of the world, women are responsible for managing water, food production, and household energy. Educating women not only drives social equality but also strengthens climate resilience. Studies suggest that if 70% of women in Sub-Saharan Africa receive a secondary education, deaths from extreme weather events could fall by 60%.
Even when education doesn’t directly address climate issues, it still builds adaptability. Literate, skilled people are better able to find new jobs, move to safer areas, and respond to crises. In other words, education multiplies resilience.
BCG’s conclusion is clear: education is at the heart of climate action. It enables people to understand their impact, equips workers with future-ready skills, and fosters leadership for sustainable growth. Education turns climate goals from policy into progress.
For Kazakhstan, these lessons are especially relevant. The country’s energy-intensive economy and environmental challenges demand a new approach centered on human capital.
First, climate literacy should be introduced into school and university programs to build a generation capable of making informed, responsible decisions.
Second, Kazakhstan should create a national system of green competencies, uniting government, business, and universities to identify and develop the skills needed for a sustainable economy.
Third, reskilling workers in the energy, transport, and construction sectors must become a top priority. This will protect jobs, support innovation, and ensure a smoother transition to low-carbon growth.
Finally, empowering women and young people through education can build long-term resilience. Expanding STEM education and improving access to learning in rural regions will strengthen innovation and create new opportunities.
BCG’s message is simple: time favors those who learn. Countries that invest in education today will be the ones best prepared for the climate challenges of tomorrow.
Kazakhstan can be one of them — if education is treated not as a formality, but as a strategic resource. Knowledge is the new energy. And sustainability is the new national idea.
Sultan Valikhanov, expert of the EconomyKZ.org portal
