Bibliometric Analysis of Green Skills Development: Trends, International Collaboration, and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

The development of green skills has gained significant attention in recent years, driven by the increasing global focus on achieving the Agenda 2030 goals and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Green skills are recognized as essential for fostering sustainable practices across industries, supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy, and addressing pressing environmental challenges.A notable surge in scholarly interest is observed, with 79% of publications related to "green skills development" in the Web of Science database being published after 2015.This indicates the growing recognition of green skills as a key element in advancing sustainability agendas.In this study, a bibliometric analysis was conducted using data from 962 articles extracted from the Web of Science database.The evolution of scientific output, thematic trends, and international collaboration patterns were examined.The analysis reveals a steady increase in publications, particularly post-2015, with an expanding range of research topics, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, green entrepreneurship, and climate adaptation.The distribution of authorship across countries highlights significant international cooperation, with countries from both the Global North and South actively contributing to the discourse.The findings underscore the interdisciplinary nature of green skills research, which spans diverse fields such as environmental science, education, policy studies, and technology.Moreover, the growing body of research reflects a clear shift towards integrating green skills within education and training systems as a means of achieving SDG targets, particularly those related to sustainable economic growth, decent work, and climate action.This study provides valuable insights into the emerging trends and collaborative networks in green skills development, offering a foundation for future research aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of green skill programs and policies.It is evident that continued focus on this area is critical for driving global sustainability efforts and achieving long-term environmental goals.