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Green Skills Are Not Enough: Three Levels of Competences from an Applied Perspective

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  • Oliver Wegenberger

    (Faculty of Psychology, Sigmund Freud Private University, 1020 Vienna, Austria
    MODUL University Vienna, 1190 Vienna, Austria)

  • Ivo Ponocny

    (Faculty of Psychology, Sigmund Freud Private University, 1020 Vienna, Austria)

Abstract

The world of work is increasingly recognizing sustainability needs and issues, which require skills and competences. Accordingly, concepts like green skills and sustainability competences have been discussed in the literature. However, it remains unclear what green skills are and what differentiates them from other concepts such as sustainability competences. The aim of this paper is to address the question of what green skills are in order to facilitate the application of them by bringing the concept closer to practice. A qualitative approach was employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews with experts engaged in sustainability matters across various sectors. In line with previous research, the term green skills is seen as a complex and ambiguous one. Based on the findings of the present study, we propose to differentiate three levels of skills and competences, delineated by their specificity: general sustainability competences, intermediate cross-sectional competences, and specific green skills. Additionally, experts underscored the pivotal role of personal values and interests.

Suggested Citation

  • Oliver Wegenberger & Ivo Ponocny, 2025. "Green Skills Are Not Enough: Three Levels of Competences from an Applied Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-22, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:1:p:327-:d:1560029
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Caterina Farao & Chiara Bernuzzi & Chiara Ronchetti, 2023. "The Crucial Role of Green Soft Skills and Leadership for Sustainability: A Case Study of an Italian Small and Medium Enterprise Operating in the Food Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-25, November.
    2. Sibilla Montanari & Evi Agostini & Denis Francesconi, 2023. "Are We Talking about Green Skills or Sustainability Competences? A Scoping Review Using Scientometric Analysis of Two Apparently Similar Topics in the Field of Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-25, September.
    3. Korhonen, Jouni & Honkasalo, Antero & Seppälä, Jyri, 2018. "Circular Economy: The Concept and its Limitations," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 37-46.
    4. Fiorenza Deriu & Raffaella Gallo, 2024. "Sustainable Green Educational Paths in the Italian Higher Education Institutions: A Text Mining Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-20, June.
    5. Christina T. Kwauk & Olivia M. Casey, 2022. "A green skills framework for climate action, gender empowerment, and climate justice," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 40(S2), October.
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