Climate change: causes and consequences

This is lesson seven of the second module of EUPress Teacher Training, which covers the macro topic of “Energy Climate change and environment”.

The lesson aims to analyze the causes and consequences of climate change. The causes that will be explored include global warming, greenhouse gases, and reasons for rising emissions. The consequences that will be investigated include natural consequences, social threats, threats to business, and territorial threats.

From online banking to video streaming and even accessing public services, digital skills are now essential to daily life and work. Yet 42% of Europeans still lack basic digital skills, including 37% of the EU workforce. In response, the European Union is turning digital education into a major policy priority, aiming to close the skills gap and prepare citizens for a fast-changing economy.

A three-pronged approach to digital skills

The EU’s strategy is anchored in three major initiatives:

• The European Skills Agenda (2020–2025), a five-year plan to boost upskilling and reskilling, particularly in connection with the green and digital transitions. It aligns with the European Pillar of Social Rights, ensuring access to lifelong learning.
• The Digital Education Action Plan (2021–2027), which sets a shared vision for accessible, high-quality digital education. It promotes cooperation between EU countries, especially after the pandemic exposed large gaps in readiness.
• The Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition, which brings together Member States, companies, and NGOs to deliver national and EU-level skills programmes.

Digital Education Action Plan: A roadmap for digital transformation in schools

The Action Plan outlines two priority areas:

Priority 1: A high-performing digital education ecosystem

1. Structural dialogue on enabling factors for digital education
2. Council recommendation on blended learning
3. EU Digital Education Content Framework
4. Better connectivity and equipment
5. Digital transformation plans for institutions
6. Ethical guidelines for AI and data in education

Priority 2: Enhancing digital skills and competencies

7. Guidelines for teachers on digital literacy
8. Updated European Digital Competence Framework (including AI and data)
9. European Digital Skills Certificate
10. Council recommendation on digital skills for education and training
11. EU-level targets for student digital skills
12. Digital traineeships
13. Initiatives to support women in tech
14. European Digital Education App

A coalition for digital skills across society

Launched in 2016, the Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition addresses the needs of four key groups:

• All citizens, to enable full participation in digital society
• The workforce, through upskilling and reskilling
• ICT professionals, by fostering cutting-edge competencies
• Teachers and educators, to integrate digital tools into learning

The coalition also awards the European Digital Skills Awards, recognising initiatives that have significantly boosted digital literacy or inclusion — and can be replicated across the EU.

With 90% of jobs now requiring at least a basic level of digital knowledge, the EU’s challenge is clear: turn digital education from a policy ambition into universal practice — so no citizen is left behind in the digital transition.