Lifelong Learning for Green Skills: Priorities, Implementation Framework, and Challenges

This chapter contributes to understanding the complexity and dynamics of European Union (EU) initiatives to promote the development of green skills through lifelong learning. Drawing on research on policy implementation and multilevel (educational) governance, this study analyzes key EU policy documents, particularly the Council Recommendation on Learning for the Green Transition and Sustainable Development, to critically assess the implementation frameworks and identify potential implementation gaps in promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on SDG 4. The qualitative content analysis reveals that the documents analyzed have directional, beneficiary, and actor-centered characteristics, which means that they are clearly articulated but lack detailed operational plans, specific time frames, and measurable indicators, contributing to significant ideational and structural implementation challenges. This chapter identifies five main potential implementation gaps and concludes by emphasizing that specific, actionable targets and indicators in policy documents are essential for accountability and effectiveness in promoting green skills, a critical component of sustainable development in the EU.