Accelerating the Ecological Transformation through up-skilling and re-skilling.
Our manifesto.
Envisioning a Comprehensive Ecological Transformation.
The effects of climate change are tangible. Six of the nine planetary boundaries essential to the viability of Earth’s ecosystems have already been crossed. Despite widespread awareness, it remains easier today to pollute than to clean up, and to consume resources rather than conserve them. This contradiction must be resolved.
While urgent action is needed, the approach must be systemic. Ecological transformation extends far beyond the issue of climate change alone. Sustainable development must not be reduced to environmental concerns, environmental concerns must not be limited to climate change, and climate change must not be viewed solely through the lens of carbon emissions. A comprehensive approach is essential, addressing social, ethical, and physical challenges, as well as impacts on biodiversity. The overarching goal is to preserve planetary health and sustain life wherever it exists.
Placing territories at the Heart of the Transformation.
Given the scale of the challenge, local stakeholders have a crucial role to play—both in mitigating the environmental impacts of human activity and planetary boundary breaches, and in adapting to already deteriorated conditions. This will necessarily involve greater sobriety, meaning a reduction in the consumption of goods and services; greater efficiency, through more mindful use of available resources; and increased circularity, along with the development of natural systems’ regenerative capacities.
While technological progress and innovation can contribute to these goals, they are only part of the solution. They do not eliminate the need for profound changes in consumption and production patterns, nor for deep transformations in companies and their economic models.
Turning Businesses into Catalysts for Change.
This ecological transformation must rely on businesses and mobilize them at every level. Leaders, middle management, and frontline workers must all develop a deep understanding of the ecological consequences of their decisions and actions.
To meet the scale of the challenge, lifelong skill development and educational methods must undergo a profound evolution. Terra Academia—a unique coalition of economic, academic, non-profit, and public actors initiated by Veolia—helps to build, develop, and disseminate the critical skills needed for ecological transformation.
To succeed and to spark a widespread movement across all territories, this effort must also include individuals undergoing career transitions or those distanced from employment, and must be rooted in a just transformation. In this respect, crafting a positive and equitable narrative will be essential to build trust, unite efforts, engage youth, and enable everyone to take ownership of this necessary shift.
Combining Local Roots with a Global Vision to Develop the Skills Needed for Transformation
As both a school and an accelerator of ecological transformation in the territories, Terra Academia adapts its initiatives to local realities. Its goal: to create a shared vision of skill and job needs at both local and national levels, and to strengthen, expand, and enhance the appeal of educational pathways dedicated to ecological transformation.
Terra Academia is built around a network of campuses in France and abroad, providing an environment conducive to learning, collaboration, and innovation. Its forward-looking perspective, guided by a multidisciplinary scientific council and an Institute for Advanced Studies in Ecological Transformation, drives its research, education, and action. Its ability to blend local anchoring with a global outlook is what makes it strong.
Together, let’s act faster and stronger to build the skills essential for creating a desirable future.