Skills and professions related to sustainability and the green transition have been on the rise in recent years – and are expected to keep growing. According to the Future of Jobs 2025 report, published by the World Economic Forum, between 2022 and 2023, 12% of the global workforce acquired “green” skills, and the number of jobs related to this field increased by 22% during the same period. This is no coincidence. The transition to a more sustainable economy is seen as one of the main drivers of change in the labor market.

“Digital transformation, geoeconomic fragmentation, economic uncertainties, demographic changes, and the green transition – individually and combined – are among the key factors expected to shape and transform the global labor market by 2030,” states a section of the report.

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The document also reveals that sustainability-related roles are among the 30 most in-demand professions today, such as environmental and renewable energy engineering, sustainability specialist, and environmental protection specialist.

Acquiring sustainability skills is essential for those who want to work in the field – but it goes far beyond that. Understanding the topic is crucial for all professionals, as sustainability is present in all areas of life, whether in business decisions, personal choices, or the transition to a green economy.

Below is a list of five free online courses on sustainability, organized by different educational branches of the United Nations (UN).

Online Courses on Sustainability

Introduction to Green Economy

Institution: UN Climate Change Learning Partnership – UN CC:Learn
‍Cost: Free
‍Certificate: Yes
‍Languages: English, Spanish, and French
‍Duration: 10 hours
‍Content Type: Asynchronous videos and written materials
‍Link: [Access here]

This course, organized by the UN Climate Change Learning Partnership, aims to provide an overview of the green economy. Divided into five modules, it covers topics such as the need for a green economy transition, examples of frameworks and initiatives that support it, and sectors with high potential for green growth.

Industrial Policies for the Circular Economy

Institution: UN SDG:Learn (UN Learning Platform for the Sustainable Development Goals)
Cost: Free
Certificate: Yes
Language: English
Duration: 3 hours
Content Type: Asynchronous videos and written materials
Link: [Access here]

An educational initiative by the United Nations, UN SDG:Learn offers a variety of sustainability courses. This one focuses on circularity in industry, covering circular design, recycling, and the circular bioeconomy.

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Introduction to Climate Change and Human Rights

Institution: InforMEA – UN
Cost: Free
Certificate: Yes
Language: English
Duration: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Content Type: Written materials
Link: [Access here]

Climate change not only influences extreme weather events but also negatively impacts the lives of thousands of people worldwide. This course, developed by the UN’s InforMEA portal, explains the links between the climate emergency and human rights, showing how hurricanes, floods, and rising temperatures can harm rights to food, water, sanitation, housing, and personal safety.

Understanding Poverty and Inequality

Institution: UN SDG:Learn
Cost: Free
Certificate: Yes
Language: English
Duration: 6 weeks (3–4 hours per week)
Content Type: Asynchronous videos and written materials
Link: [Access here]

The social pillar is part of sustainability, which is why the UN offers several online classes on this topic. This course helps students understand the challenges of inequality and poverty, especially for minority and vulnerable groups, and explores the connection between these issues and global challenges such as climate change, migration, and geopolitical conflicts.

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Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Resilience

Institution: UN SDG:Learn
Cost: Free
Certificate: Yes
Languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, French, among others
Duration: 7 weeks (3–6 hours per week)
Content Type: Asynchronous videos and written materials
Link: [Access here]

This course explains what nature-based solutions are and how they serve as important tools to reduce various negative impacts of the climate crisis. In addition to theoretical content, it includes real-world examples, business cases, and testimonials from leaders applying nature-based solutions to different challenges.

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