Green Transition

In December 2019, the European Commission presented the European Green Deal, a new growth strategy for the transition to a climate-neutral Europe by 2050. The Green Deal is an overarching strategy that aims to address all aspects of the climate crisis, including pollution, loss of biodiversity, waste, and emissions. In her annual State of the Union’ speech, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen even proposed to increase the emission reduction target from 40 to 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 figures. In order to realise this ambition, change in all sectors of the economy is necessary.

The EU’s move to a resource-efficient, circular, and climate neutral economy is expected to create new jobs while other jobs will change or even disappear. The European Commission intends to achieve a ‘just transition’ in which no person and no region is left behind. The recently updated Skills Agenda addresses the need for ambitious up- and reskilling strategies to push forward the green transition. This will encompass a major societal transition that brings along mental challenges for people across all industries.

The role of coaches, mentors, and supervisors in the green transition

A bottom-up approach is a prerequisite for collective engagement

Climate change is an unprecedented challenge and its complexity can make individuals and organisations feel hopeless. Some put up psychological defenses to manage the potential discomfort and grief.

Coaching, mentoring, and supervision are ultimately concerned with developing the potential of human beings and raising awareness to enable people to take responsibility for their actions and ownership for their contribution. Coaches, mentors, and supervisors can support individuals to deal with the mental effects of the climate crisis and motivate people to take control and affect change.

Through a bottom-up approach, the EMCC members help realise collective engagement to stimulate the green transition. Therefore, professional bodies such as the EMCC have a significant role to play in shaping a (sustainable) future for Europe.

EMCC raises awareness and encourages dialogue on climate change

EMCC takes responsibility in the climate crisis by raising awareness on the implications of the climate change, modeling good behavior and sharing best practices. Last May, the EMCC co-signed a joint statement on climate change with other professional bodies.

EMCC encourages its members to engage in dialogue with clients on the topic of sustainability. Coaches have a significant role to play in creating a new way of being in service to a healthy human society and a healthy planet, notably by raising awareness and offering support to our clients in response to the changing needs.

To lead by example, the EMCC ensures all its activities are climate neutral.

Mentoring, coaching, and supervision create support among the workforce

The transition to a carbon neutral economy requires the reskilling and upskilling of the European workforce. Mentoring and coaching programmes can be of meaningful help to give individuals confidence and make them feel committed to taking up new skills.

The EMCC’s services help people not to fear the transitions ahead, but to see them as an opportunity. Every worker should feel part of building a new economy.

Soft skills at the heart of the skills transition

The transition to a climate neutral Europe by 2050 must be just and inclusive. Nobody should be left behind. Whereas the Just Transition Mechanism and the updated Skills Agenda address the need for financial support and technical skills, soft skills are crucial to deal with the psychological effects of climate change.

The EMCC contributes to an inclusive climate transition by giving people access to mentoring and coaching that strengthens their ability to engage with the societal transition.

‘The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new’. Socrates