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The University of Manchester has been invited to lead a pioneering global programme designed to empower education鈥檚 role in the transition towards net zero.

In recognition of its longstanding commitment to sustainability, the University will represent the UK as one of the founding members of the International Green Learning and Skills Accelerator, a Times Higher Education initiative set up as part of the

The Pact is run by three UN agencies 鈥� the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Labour Organization and the UN Children鈥檚 Fund, UNICEF - and was established to help tackle the green skills deficit and 鈥渁dvance the just transition to a low carbon and circular economy鈥�.

The Accelerator, and a related research project, will advance this mission by bringing together universities, industries, and policymakers from around the world to share best practice and to develop a globally recognised framework for green skills and learning.

This initiative aims to define, standardise, and promote the green skills necessary for the net-zero economy, aligning education and employment to meet the challenges of the climate crisis.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, said: 鈥淏eing invited to help shape the Green Learning and Skills Accelerator as a founding member is a powerful recognition of the University鈥檚 long standing leadership in sustainability 鈥� and of the expertise, creativity and collaborative spirit of our staff and students.  This initiative brings together universities, city partners, industry and global institutions to tackle one of the most urgent challenges of our time.  It鈥檚 a unique opportunity to co-create a scalable, inclusive approach to green learning that supports the transition to a net-zero future 鈥� here in 91直播 and around the world.鈥�

Phil Baty, Chief Global Affairs Officer at Times Higher Education, added: 鈥淚t is fantastic to witness The University of Manchester joining the Green Learning and Skills Accelerator programme as a founding partner representing the UK. This once more reinforces the University鈥檚 commitment to sustainability as witnessed by their participation in the top ten each year of our .  Times Higher Education鈥檚 mission is to connect people, data and insights to help universities make the world a better place and this is a prime illustration of this in practice as we move towards a green economy.鈥�

One of the primary objectives of the project is to offer a consistent definition and taxonomy of what constitutes 'green skills' for the net-zero economy and how to measure it. The initiative is also in support of the Green Jobs for Youth Pact, that has seen a number of governments sign up and show their support at the UN Summit of the Future.

The University of Manchester will work alongside a select group of other global institutions to co-develop a new framework that will guide universities and employers, ensuring they have the skills and knowledge needed teach young people from the offset or re-train the current workforce the skills they need to drive the green economy.

Professor Jennifer O鈥橞rien, Academic Lead for Sustainability Teaching and Learning, who has been leading on the project, said: "Universities are uniquely positioned to drive the green skills agenda through our world-class research, teaching, and partnerships. By engaging with our talented and diverse students and academics from not only our own community but across the globe, alongside our cross-sector collaborators, we are ensuring that green education is inclusive and has impact. This project will build on existing best practices and push us forward in creating thriving, sustainable futures for all, through transformative learning experiences."

As a globally connected, civic university, The University of Manchester will use its connections to bring in alumni and partners from across the world have an input into the new framework. It also hopes to feed into city-wide plans to support its ambitious zero carbon goal for 2038.

The programme will involve extensive research and collaboration with universities, industries, and policymakers with the goal of creating an  inclusive, scalable Accreditation Framework to support, guide and give recognition to universities and colleges as Green Learning and Skills Providers.

Dr Julian Skyrme, Executive Director of Social Responsibility at The University of Manchester, said: 鈥淎s one of the world鈥檚 leading universities for social responsibility and sustainable development we know that our students 鈥� as future citizens, leaders and skilled professionals 鈥� will play a key role in addressing the climate and nature crisis. We鈥檙e look forward to playing a leading role in the critical task of defining and championing the sort of education we need to create a more sustainable world.鈥� 

The University of Manchester has been consistently ranked as a leader in sustainability. It is the only university in the world to rank in the top ten for social and environmental impact in every year of the .

The University has set ambitious goals to reduce its environmental impact, aligning with its core mission of social responsibility. In 2022, it divested from coal, oil, and gas, reducing the carbon intensity of its investments by 37%. All the University鈥檚 degree programs are aligned with the , and its research platform, which includes the , combines world-leading research across disciplines to develop sustainable solutions for urgent environmental challenges. The University also recently signed a landmark deal that will see up to 65% of its electricity demand supplied through a brand-new renewables project.