According to the findings, 71% of youth in Egypt believe developing green skills will unlock new career opportunities, and 63% remain hopeful that climate change can still be addressed
A new global report released by the Capgemini Research Institute and UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited reveals that while Egyptian youth are among the most optimistic about solving the climate crisis, a significant skills gap threatens their ability to contribute meaningfully to a green economy.
According to the findings, 71% of youth in Egypt believe developing green skills will unlock new career opportunities, and 63% remain hopeful that climate change can still be addressed. However, only 24% feel they currently possess the green skills needed to thrive in today’s workforce.
The study also highlights a disconnect between climate concern and green job readiness in Egypt. Although 70% of young Egyptians express concern over the impact of climate change on their future and 37% are interested in pursuing a green job, the low confidence in their skillsets reveals a critical gap in climate preparedness and employability.
The report, titled Youth Perspectives on Climate: Preparing for a Sustainable Future, explores the views of 16–24-year-olds worldwide on climate anxiety, green career prospects, and the role of education, business, and government in empowering youth. Across the board, young people are eager to take part in climate action, but many lack the technical competencies required to enter green careers.
Globally, six in ten youth see green skills as a gateway to better jobs, but just 44% believe they currently have those skills. The situation is even more challenging in certain regions of the Global South, where access to green education and training is more limited. The report also highlights a rural-urban divide, with youth in urban and suburban areas reporting higher concern and greater access to green opportunities than those in rural communities.
Despite growing eco-anxiety — with 70% of youth worldwide fearing the effects of climate change on their futures — optimism remains. Most young people believe there is still time to solve the crisis, and over half are interested in aligning their careers with environmental values.
Commenting on the report’s findings, Sarika Naik, Group Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer at Capgemini, stated “We need to help young people turn their passion into impact by investing in green skills. This report shows how critical it is that business, governments, and education leaders work together to bridge the skills gap, empower youth voices, and create pathways to meaningful green careers.”
Dr. Kevin Frey, CEO of Generation Unlimited at UNICEF, added “Green Rising, with its ecosystem of public and private sector partners, is supporting young people with the skills and opportunities they need to take climate action, start green companies, access green jobs and power green solutions.”
The report calls for urgent action to integrate green education into national curricula, expand access to training, and align employment strategies with climate goals. It recommends stronger partnerships between the public and private sectors to co-develop green career pathways and to embed youth leadership into climate policy and corporate sustainability strategies.
