Kathmandu. The Green Skills Advisory Board (GSAB) has been formally launched for the first time in Nepal.

The Board has been formed in collaboration with the public and private sector stakeholders to link the technical education and vocational training (TVET) system with green skills and promote sustainable employment and development.

The Board aims to raise awareness on green skills, hold dialogues for the formulation of environment-friendly training policy, promote training and take concrete steps to create employment opportunities in Nepal.

The Board has been established with the plan to encourage green skills, especially in the areas of sustainable agriculture, environment-friendly construction, tourism, etc.

Speaking at the launch of the Board, Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Chudamani Poudel said that the initiative is expected to contribute significantly in the context of the global serious negative impacts on human health due to increasing global temperature, carbon emission and various environmental impacts.

He was of the view that education should be linked to skills, production of skills and production to market. “The Government of Nepal has been working on policy reforms in this regard. The project started with partnership of the government and private sector should be taken forward together,” he said.

President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Prasad Dhakal, said that climate change, carbon emission and environmental challenges in view of the global global challenges, we need to move towards new thinking, new skills and new practices.

“Our industries and businesses are also getting ready to adopt eco-friendly skills. The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) is always ready to contribute to training and employment to make skill development environment-friendly,” he said, adding, “Public-private partnership can be further strengthened through GSAB and Nepal’s youth will be oriented towards sustainable employment. ”

British Ambassador to Nepal Rob Fenn expressed his confidence that the initiative would contribute to Nepal’s goal of achieving net zero carbon emission by 2045. He also expressed his continued support in this regard.

CTEVT Member Secretary Mahesh Bhattarai said the Board will help Nepal develop partnerships to address demand for green skills and contribute to the national goals of achieving carbon neutrality.

Birendra Raj Pandey, president of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), said the CNI was committed to development, promotion and implementation of environment-friendly skills.

Rabi Singh of the Federation of Contractors’ Association of Nepal (FCAN) stressed that sustainable development should be prioritized in the name of green sector although environment protection and green skills are the need of the hour.

Binod Badal, member of Green Skills Advisory Board (GSAB), said that green skills are the need of future in Nepal and collaboration between the government and private sector will take this forward.

On the occasion, Prof. Pramod Bhakta Acharya, coordinator of JSAB, gave a presentation on various issues of green skills and future action plan of Nepal. The Board comprises the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT), Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and Federation of Contractors’ Association (FCAN).

The conference of public and private sector stakeholders held at the initiative of the British Council in April 2024 had concluded that a high-level mechanism should be formed to promote green skills in Nepal, inspired by the model of the UK.

The British Council Nepal is providing technical support to Jasab while the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) is providing technical assistance. They are providing advisory support through experience and advice on green skills from UK-based organisations such as Exeter Castle.