EU Skills Week-VET and the Green Transition : what are the skills and education needed for finance professionals to play their part?

Managing the impact of people on the planet we call home has become the rallying call of our times. As governments around the world are seeking to define a vision for decarbonising their economies and achieving net zero emissions, there is an urgent need for all stakeholders to grasp the scale of this challenge and to respond to it.

In too many organisations however, expertise in climate risk and ESG still resides in a small group of sustainability experts; this must change rapidly and become embedded in organisations’ culture.

There is a pressing need to raise the level of knowledge and understanding, both to recognise climate change as an urgent ‘burning platform’ – and to respond accordingly.

Finance professionals and professional accountants have a critical role in putting sustainability at the heart of decision-making, and in championing responsible practices that will drive the critical changes the planet needs, both to lead long-term value creation within sustainable economies, and to champion responsible practices in the public interest.

And to make sure they have the right tools a their disposals to do so, they must be equipped with the right education and skills.

As part of EU Skills Week 2022, ACCA, IFAC and Green Finance Platform are delighted to welcome you to discuss with renowned experts from the EU institutions, the OECD, academics and the accountancy profession what are the skills and education needed for finance professionals to play their part in contributing to the Green Transition and the SDGs Confirmed speakers for now include Julie Fionda, Deputy Head of Unit, Skills Agenda (EC); Nancy Kamp - Roelands, Professor Non-financial information, integrated reporting and assurance at the University of Groningen; Helen Brand, OBE Chief Executive, ACCA; Kevin Dancey, CEO of IFAC