Svetlana Grinchuk emphasized a key focus for the Ministry of Environment: "Integrate its principles into all areas of life."

Strengthening the position of environmental education and integrating its principles into all areas of life is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine.

The environmental component should become a core aspect of Ukraine's post-war recovery. Despite the ongoing war, our economy is actively becoming more eco-friendly. New professions are emerging in the labor market. Today, there is a demand for specialists in areas such as "green" design and architecture, ecological construction, carbon financing, and sustainable development.

The prospects, plans, and challenges of developing environmental education were discussed during a meeting with the chairperson of the subcommittee on higher education of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine's Committee on Education, Science, and Innovation, Yulia Gryshyna; the deputy chair of the Environmental Committee, Elena Krivoruchkina; representatives from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine; as well as members of the public and business sector.

There is a growing demand not only for specific professions but also for ecological knowledge and skills, particularly due to changes in legislation aligning with European standards. According to the Future of Jobs Report 2025 by the World Economic Forum, many companies are now including environmental competencies in their candidate requirements. In 2023, the market demand for "green" skills increased by 12%, while the number of job vacancies requiring such skills rose by 22%. Employment in the renewable energy sector is expected to grow by 47%. The implementation of the Water Framework Directive, climate policy, and the prevention of industrial pollution—these legislative changes require robust staffing solutions.

At the same time, only a small percentage of students are choosing environmental specialties, and the volume of state orders for these programs remains minimal.

Today, it is essential to change educational trends to prepare a new generation of environmental protection specialists and to integrate the ecological component into various fields of study.

The topic of environmental protection affects all areas of life—it should be present in a person's life from kindergarten, accompany them through school and university, and be a part of their professional activities, regardless of their chosen specialty, as well as in everyday life through educational campaigns and "green" skills and competencies. To achieve this, we need to create a comprehensive system of environmental education.

The reform of environmental education entails a holistic approach at all levels:

Preschool education. Fostering a love for nature and teaching basic rules of ecological behavior.

School education. Eco-education in classrooms should extend beyond biology or nature conservation and become an independent subject.

Vocational education. Integrating environmental disciplines into the training of specialists across various fields, preparing for the "green" professions of the future.

Higher education. Expanding programs in environmental fields, engaging businesses in the educational process, and greening all areas of education.

Awareness campaigns. Increasing the level of environmental awareness among the population and developing ecological culture.

Science and innovation. Developing research ecological centers and prioritizing funding for green projects.

It has been agreed to form a working group that will develop the necessary legislative changes and educational and professional standards. This will be a long and challenging journey, with no magic pills or simple solutions. However, on this path lies the development of our collective responsibility, discipline, and unity for a better future. Thank you to the people's deputy Yulia Gryshyna for initiating such a meeting.