Skill Up NeXt's Otsuka to Speak at Seminar on Human Resource Development for Decarbonization and GX Hosted by Green Purchasing Network (GPN)

Hanae Otsuka of Skill Up NeXt Inc. (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Shinichi Tahara; hereinafter "Skill Up NeXt") spoke at the seminar "Human Resource Development for Decarbonization and GX - Learning from the Certified "Decarbonization Advisor" Qualification -" hosted by the Green Purchasing Network (GPN), held online on June 24, 2026 (Wed). She gave a lecture focusing on "human resource development," which is key to promoting GX (Green Transformation), and discussed how to utilize the latest qualification system.

Background

GX (Green Transformation) is a critical issue that companies and local governments cannot avoid in achieving a decarbonized society. As sustainability initiatives, such as emission reductions across the supply chain and resource circulation, become more complex, there is an urgent need to foster understanding throughout organizations and develop "dedicated personnel" to continuously support these efforts. Against this backdrop, the Green Purchasing Network (GPN) organized this seminar to provide concrete guidelines for human resource development to promote decarbonization and GX. As an expert in GX human resource development, Otsuka of Skill Up NeXt presented an explanation of the "Decarbonization Advisor" system certified by the Ministry of the Environment, along with methods for utilizing the "GX Certification Exam" which measures practical knowledge.

Lecture Overview

The seminar consisted of two parts: a lecture and a panel discussion/Q&A session.

In the first part (Lecture), our Otsuka spoke on the topic "Overview of the GX Certification Exam ~To Develop Human Resources Engaged in Decarbonization and GX~." The lecture introduced the overview of GX and GX human resources, government policy trends, and the "GX Skill Standard" developed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's GX League, as well as explaining the overall picture and benefits of obtaining the GX Certification Exam.

In the second part (Panel Discussion/Q&A), a discussion was held from multiple perspectives with Shinji Matsumoto, Professor at the Graduate School of Yokohama National University, and Manabu Fukatsu, Secretary-General of GPN. Within the session, active exchange of opinions took place, focusing on three key practical points: "Company-wide GX Literacy Penetration Measures," "The Importance of Recurrent Education," and "Strategies to Foster Employee Initiative."

Finally, questions from participants were answered in a Q&A format, leading to in-depth discussions on specific challenges in practical GX promotion, and the event concluded successfully.

[Lecture Content]

What is GX - Social and Policy Background

What are GX Human Resources - GX Skill Standard

Overview of the Decarbonization Advisor Certification System and GX Certification Exam

Knowledge Required for GX Certification Basic

Overview of Advanced and Specialist Levels

Benefits of Taking the Course / Participant Feedback / Summary

[Participant Feedback]

It was a very clear explanation, and I understood the GX Certification Exam well.

I understood the overview of the Decarbonization Advisor.

Through the panel discussion, I learned a great deal about the current situation and how to proceed in the future.

[Speaker Profile]

Hanae Otsuka, Skill Up NeXt Inc.

After gaining experience in both front-line and back-office roles at a hotel in Tokyo, she established a sustainability promotion system from scratch based on her own initiative. She was responsible for internal dissemination and related external matters, including the publication of sustainability reports and holding training sessions and workshops for all employees (40 times annually). She then transitioned to become a sustainability brand consultant, undertaking numerous projects such as supporting the formulation of GHG reduction plans and materiality assessments. Currently, at Skill Up NeXt Inc., she is involved in the operation of the GX Certification Exam, course production, and the GX League. Leveraging her practical experience as an "insider" and her expertise as a consultant, she aims to provide supportive sustainability assistance.

[Inquiries Regarding Lectures and Other Engagements]

We conduct numerous lectures and training sessions on supporting the decarbonization of regional companies in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, its regional bureaus, and local economic organizations. Local government and council representatives facing challenges such as "How to concretely promote decarbonization in the region?" "How should we support the GX of local businesses?" or "How to convey the importance of GX human resource development to regional businesses?" are encouraged to contact us. Inquire here

[Skill Up NeXt Speaking Engagements (Partial List)]

March 2026 Hiroshima Earth Environment Forum "SDGs Symposium 2026" GX in 2026: From "Obligation" to "Survival Strategy." GX Literacy and Implementation Steps to Turn Risks into Opportunities Details here

January 2026 Fukuoka City "Decarbonization Management Seminar" GX and Decarbonization Required of Businesses Today Details here

November 2025 Resonac "Learning Festival" Two Perspectives Business Professionals Should Have to Pass on a Beautiful Earth to the Next Generation Details here

October 2025 Kitakyushu GX Executive Business School Achieving a Decarbonized Society Requires People, Not Technology Details here

October 2025 Kagawa Prefecture Regional Decarbonization Promotion Council Steering Committee Development of GX Human Resources for Accelerating Corporate Decarbonization Management Required of Local Governments and Businesses Details here

September 2025 Fukuoka Asian Urban Research Center "Urban Seminar" GX Human Resource Development Necessary for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Details here

[About Skill Up NeXt]

Skill Up NeXt supports companies' GX promotion with a one-stop service, offering courses to systematically learn GX through "Skill Up Green" and the "GX Certification Exam" to measure basic knowledge. As a leading company in the GX League led by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, we launched the GX Human Resource Market Creation Working Group in FY2024 and formulated the "GX Skill Standard," which defines the roles and necessary skills of GX human resources.

https://green-transformation.jp/