The Human Hurdle: Global Study Reveals Skills Gap Threatens Climate Goals

MILAN, Italy – February 19, 2026 – As nations race to decarbonize, a landmark global study reveals the greatest obstacle to a green future may not be technology or funding, but a profound and widening human capital gap. The 2025 edition of the "Climate Goals" study, conducted by Fondazione MAIRE and IPSOS, suggests that public awareness, government commitment, and above all, a skilled workforce, will ultimately determine the winners and losers in the global energy transition.

The comprehensive report, which now includes over 2,300 interviews across 14 countries on four continents, paints a picture of a world moving at vastly different speeds. It underscores a critical message: without a strategic and urgent investment in people, the technological promise of the energy transition may fall short.

A World of Difference: Leaders and Laggards in the Green Race

The study exposes a stark divergence in how the energy transition is perceived and prioritized across the globe. India has emerged as a clear frontrunner, demonstrating the highest levels of public engagement and perceived government action. A remarkable 63% of Indian respondents reported high familiarity with the energy transition, and 71% rated their government's commitment to decarbonization strategies positively—the highest scores in the survey. For 70% of individuals in India, the transition is a top priority, a sentiment shared by respondents in Turkey.

Newly surveyed countries Qatar and Argentina provide a study in contrasts. Qatar, despite its deep roots in the fossil fuel industry, is among the leaders in prioritizing the shift, with 67% of its populace viewing the energy transition as a key national goal. The Qatari government and public show high awareness, and the nation is actively investing in renewable energy and climate technology. However, this proactive stance is tempered by significant concerns over potential job losses in traditional hydrocarbon sectors, making workforce adaptation a central challenge.

On the other end of the spectrum lies Argentina. While general awareness of the term "energy transition" is high (97%), deep familiarity with the concepts is worryingly low at 36%. Even more telling, only 34% of Argentinians consider it a national priority, and a mere 23% perceive their government as committed. The report notes that progress in Argentina is often driven by private or foreign companies, hampered by domestic economic constraints and limited state investment in developing a green-skilled workforce.

Kazakhstan consistently appears at the bottom of the rankings, with the lowest awareness (29%) and perceived government commitment (15%). This public perception exists alongside the nation's official goals to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, highlighting a significant disconnect between policy and public engagement that could undermine long-term success.

The Human Element: Bridging the Global Skills Chasm

Beyond public perception, the study's most urgent finding is the universal demand for a new generation of professionals equipped for the green economy. The report concludes that a critical shortage of both technical and "soft" skills represents a looming crisis that could stall climate progress worldwide.

The need is twofold. On one hand, there is a desperate need for technical expertise. Countries identified specific requirements, such as professionals skilled in environmental impact analysis in Azerbaijan, deep knowledge of renewable energy sources in Algeria, and expertise in alternative renewable and recycled feedstocks in a diverse group including Qatar, China, and the USA. Without these specialists, building and operating the infrastructure for a decarbonized world—from wind farms to green hydrogen plants—becomes an insurmountable challenge.

Equally important, however, is the demand for a suite of soft skills. Across all 14 nations, respondents highlighted problem-solving, critical thinking, adaptability, and creativity as essential traits for navigating the complex and dynamic challenges of the transition. Fondazione MAIRE has previously championed the concept of a "humanist engineer"—a professional who combines technical prowess with interdisciplinary thinking and a human-centric approach—a profile the study suggests is now in critical demand globally.

The consequences of this skills gap are already being felt. In Kazakhstan, respondents reported a severe shortage of skilled professionals, while in Argentina, 41% of the population feels unprepared for the changes ahead. Even in China and India, where the availability of a skilled workforce was rated more positively, the urgency for improved and expanded training programs was recognized as a high priority.

From Vision to Action: Aligning Policy, Investment, and People

The findings serve as a global call to action, emphasizing that the energy transition is an "irreversible journey," as Fabrizio Di Amato, Chairman of MAIRE and Fondazione MAIRE, stated in response to the report. He stressed that while the environmental and economic benefits are globally recognized, ultimate success hinges on aligning vision, policy, innovation, and "above all—human capital."

The study illustrates that each nation faces a unique set of hurdles requiring tailored solutions. While Chile struggles with engaging private companies in the renewable sector, Algeria and China must focus on raising basic public awareness. For major economies like the USA and industrial hubs like the UAE, developing new infrastructure is a primary focus. The report makes it clear that a one-size-fits-all approach is doomed to fail.

Di Amato's commentary points to a crucial shift in global dynamics. "Investing in new technical and soft skills for climate goals and circularity is essential for shaping the future competitiveness of nations," he commented. "Emerging countries recognize the need for increasing the availability of energy transition professionals: here is where we see the greater dynamism that is reshaping geo-economy worldwide."

This dynamism suggests that the future of green leadership may not belong to the traditional economic powers, but to the nations that most effectively and rapidly invest in their people. While global investment in clean energy now nearly doubles that of fossil fuels, the MAIRE-IPSOS study is a stark reminder that capital alone is not enough. The race to net-zero is increasingly becoming a race for talent, and the countries that cultivate a prepared, skilled, and engaged workforce will be best positioned to lead the sustainable economy of tomorrow.