Strengthening green economy knowledge among youth in Azerbaijan through education and green skills development

Abstract

It does not take only technological investments and environmental regulations to make a transition towards a green economy, it also takes a society that understands new models of production, consumption, employment, finance and resource use. Among them, young people are particularly important as their education, career decisions, entrepreneurship and consumption patterns will shape the future trajectory of economic transformation. This paper aims to analyze the potential for building up the knowledge of young people about the green economy in Azerbaijan through education and development of green skills. The use of sources for conceptual and narrative review approach is applied, both international literature and policy documents as well as Azerbaijan-focused studies. Four interrelated dimensions of youth preparedness are identified: conceptual green economy literacy, economic and sectoral literacy, practical green skills and sustainability-oriented decision-making. The study concludes that there is a need to link sustainability education to concrete sectors of the economy, new jobs, green finance, renewable energy and environmental risk management in universities, vocational institutions, public bodies and companies. The development and enhancement of these dimensions can help not only in the environment but also contribute to Azerbaijan's general goals of human resources development, economic diversification and green growth.