South Africa is facing a significant challenge in closing the green talent gap to facilitate its transition towards a green economy and away from fossil fuels like coal. The country boasts substantial renewable energy resources, particularly in solar and wind energy, with advancements being made in sectors like hydrogen technology. However, there are notable shortages in essential green job sectors such as renewable energy technicians, green energy auditors, hydrogen specialists, data scientists, and environmental engineers. These shortages are delaying progress in key areas of sustainable development and environmental conservation. The upcoming COP29 conference in 2024 presents an opportunity for South Africa to address these challenges on a global platform. The conference will focus on the green talent shortage and encourage international collaboration and partnerships for skills development and technology transfer. South Africa is urged to leverage its existing partnerships with international development organizations to accelerate the training of green talent, with a particular emphasis on green hydrogen professionals. To tackle the shortage of green talent, South Africa has established initiatives like the South Africa-H2 Fund in collaboration with the Netherlands and Denmark. This fund aims to attract significant investment to accelerate the green hydrogen economy and create skilled job opportunities in the country. Furthermore, COP29 will discuss innovative strategies to engage the youth in green careers. By offering retraining and upskilling programs, such as training for hydrogen fuel cell system practitioners, South Africa can prepare its large youth population for the expanding green job market. Overall, by focusing on international collaboration, upskilling initiatives, and creating green job opportunities for the youth, South Africa can take concrete steps towards bridging the green talent gap and advancing its transition to a sustainable and environmentally conscious economy.