PRME Set to Champion Green Leadership and Youth Engagement at COP29

At COP29 (the UN’s Climate Change Conference), held this year in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) will engage in pivotal discussions aimed at accelerating climate action and empowering future leaders. Representing academic institutions committed to sustainability, PRME is set to participate in two sessions: a panel on green leadership skills for decarbonization at the UN Global Compact Pavilion and, as part of the education and youth day at the Kazakhstan Pavilion, a panel focused on youth, innovation, and the role of higher education in driving progress on sustainable development. These engagements align with PRME’s mission to equip current and future leaders with the skills and vision needed for a sustainable, regenerative future.

A primary objective for PRME at COP29 is to underscore the importance of green leadership in the global transition to a decarbonized economy. The session, “Green Leadership for a Sustainable Transition,” hosted by PRME at the UN Global Compact Pavilion, will bring together leaders from academia, business, youth, and civil society to define essential green leadership skills. Experts will discuss competencies required to lead sustainable operations and emphasize the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration while the youth representative will give insights on how this can be translated into the classroom and their realities. This panel will provide actionable recommendations for integrating green leadership skills into educational programs, equipping future leaders with the tools to drive meaningful climate action.

PRME Chapter Eurasia will play a central role in advancing regional climate action, and already laid the groundwork with their pre-COP event which prepared a set of multi-stakeholder recommendations to be delivered to businesses, governments, and higher education institutions ahead of COP negotiations. They will also be launching their edition of the Business Schools for Climate Leadership (BS4CL) initiative, expanding the network as previous PRME Chapters did at the last two COPs (BS4CL Africa & BS4CL Middle East). Chapter Eurasia’s contributions highlight the unique challenges and opportunities within the region, positioning it as a hub for innovative approaches to climate education and action. Their initiatives reflect PRME’s commitment to expanding sustainable business education across diverse contexts and fostering collaboration across the Eurasian network.

The expected outcomes of PRME’s participation at COP29 are twofold: first, a set of policy and curriculum recommendations that encourage ministries, educational institutions and businesses to incorporate green skills training; second, a strengthened collaboration between PRME, UNGC Country Networks, and regional stakeholders. PRME’s engagements aim to foster a network of committed partners dedicated to the sustainable development goals and climate resilience, leveraging global networks for local impact.

Through these engagements, PRME will continue to amplify the voices of students, educators, and business leaders committed to addressing climate change. The event outcomes are intended to inspire further commitments from governments, the private sector, and the academic community, advancing the global agenda for responsible management education and sustainable development.