ver 60% of the world’s youth live in the Asia–Pacific region. Productively harnessing their potential is key to fostering rapid and inclusive growth. Nonetheless, many young people continue to grapple with unemployment and labor market inequalities. Most parts of Asia and the Pacific are highly vulnerable to climate change, which is exacerbating a wide range of existing societal problems—from hunger to conflict and displacement. Efforts to tackle these challenges have brought unprecedented opportunities, as the world seeks to transition to more sustainable ways of living to avoid a climate catastrophe.
Solutions range from investments in clean and renewable energy, to fostering production and consumption based on circular economy principles, to advanced technological solutions such as carbon capture and storage. They bring millions of job opportunities, but many of these jobs are highly skilled ones. This raises the question of whether youth are prepared or have the requisite skills to take up these jobs. Moreover, some of the solutions, such as clean energy investments, could result in job losses, conflicts, and forced displacements resulting from the acquisition of land and other resources for clean energy projects.
So how can we ensure that the transition to a sustainable society does not benefit some while worsening the plight of others — especially the youth, who must play a critical role in realizing a sustainable future? A key concept in addressing this question is just transition—which the International Labour Organization defines as “greening the economy in a way that is as fair and inclusive as possible to everyone concerned, creating decent work opportunities and leaving no one behind.” How can we harness the potential of youth and ensure that they have the skills to spearhead the transition to a sustainable future? Here are a few policy suggestions:
Foster collaboration between industry and academic institutions
This is imperative to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Educational institutions can leverage the practical knowledge of industry experts to co–design courses and modules on skills that are in high demand for green jobs, and ensure that their curriculums align with the needs of industry. Such collaboration could also pave the way for youth innovation hubs to nurture and hone the skills and talents of young people to develop innovative solutions to today’s sustainability challenges. These platforms can support young entrepreneurs by providing resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities. By creating a conducive environment for idea incubation, we can empower youth to drive technological advancements and contribute to green and equitable transition.
Support youth start–ups and make training programs more accessible
Providing financial support through grants and affordable loan finance programs alleviates constraints on startup capital, enabling young entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into viable businesses and contribute to the overall growth and sustainability of the green economy. In areas where agriculture provides the primary livelihood of communities, modernizing the agricultural sector is pivotal for sustainable development. This sector is responsible for a large proportion of global greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring the need for transitioning to sustainable practices. Ensuring training programs are accessible in rural areas could address the unique challenges faced by youth in these regions. Training on solar–powered irrigation systems and agro–processing equipment/machinery, for example, can help maximize proceeds from farming, thus making it an attractive venture for youths.
Facilitate skills–transfer initiatives
Project teams, with young locals working alongside experienced experts, can facilitate on–the–job training and skills transfer. Renewable energy projects, for example, should include training programs to ensure knowledge is transferred to local communities. As well as enhancing the technical capabilities of youth, this promotes knowledge exchange and instills a greater sense of local ownership, ultimately ensuring proper management and long–term sustainability. Such initiatives create a collaborative learning environment and contribute to the development of a skilled workforce ready to tackle the challenges of the evolving green landscape.
Include youth in decision–making processes
Incorporating the perspectives of youth in decision–making and policymaking is fundamental to developing effective strategies for skills development towards just transitions. Engaging with the youth community helps to understand their specific needs regarding green job skills. This inclusivity ensures that policies are tailored to address the unique challenges and aspirations of the younger generation, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment. Also, opportunities such as conferences and exchange programs provide a platform for young individuals to enhance their capacities, exchange ideas, and broaden their perspectives on critical issues related to sustainability and global challenges.
As the home of the world’s largest youth population, the Asia–Pacific region will be pivotal to achieving the global transition to a sustainable and inclusive future. Sustainability transitions are happening rapidly, and youth must take center stage in steering these changes. Ensuring that they have the requisite skills not only empowers them but also prepares them for successful careers in the green job market.
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Equip Asia–Pacific youth with green skills for just transitions
Manila, Philippines. Like much Asia-Pacific, the Philippines is especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Photo by Andrey Andreyev on Unsplash.
April 10, 2024
Young people are a key catalyst for climate action, and the majority of the world’s youth lives in the Asia–Pacific. Equipping them with green skills will help make the region more resilient to the challenges of climate change, write Mark Akrofi, Reshma Ram, and M. H. Mohamed Husni.
O
ver 60% of the world’s youth live in the Asia–Pacific region. Productively harnessing their potential is key to fostering rapid and inclusive growth. Nonetheless, many young people continue to grapple with unemployment and labor market inequalities. Most parts of Asia and the Pacific are highly vulnerable to climate change, which is exacerbating a wide range of existing societal problems—from hunger to conflict and displacement. Efforts to tackle these challenges have brought unprecedented opportunities, as the world seeks to transition to more sustainable ways of living to avoid a climate catastrophe.
Solutions range from investments in clean and renewable energy, to fostering production and consumption based on circular economy principles, to advanced technological solutions such as carbon capture and storage. They bring millions of job opportunities, but many of these jobs are highly skilled ones. This raises the question of whether youth are prepared or have the requisite skills to take up these jobs. Moreover, some of the solutions, such as clean energy investments, could result in job losses, conflicts, and forced displacements resulting from the acquisition of land and other resources for clean energy projects.
So how can we ensure that the transition to a sustainable society does not benefit some while worsening the plight of others — especially the youth, who must play a critical role in realizing a sustainable future? A key concept in addressing this question is just transition—which the International Labour Organization defines as “greening the economy in a way that is as fair and inclusive as possible to everyone concerned, creating decent work opportunities and leaving no one behind.” How can we harness the potential of youth and ensure that they have the skills to spearhead the transition to a sustainable future? Here are a few policy suggestions:
Foster collaboration between industry and academic institutions
This is imperative to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Educational institutions can leverage the practical knowledge of industry experts to co–design courses and modules on skills that are in high demand for green jobs, and ensure that their curriculums align with the needs of industry. Such collaboration could also pave the way for youth innovation hubs to nurture and hone the skills and talents of young people to develop innovative solutions to today’s sustainability challenges. These platforms can support young entrepreneurs by providing resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities. By creating a conducive environment for idea incubation, we can empower youth to drive technological advancements and contribute to green and equitable transition.
Support youth start–ups and make training programs more accessible
Providing financial support through grants and affordable loan finance programs alleviates constraints on startup capital, enabling young entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into viable businesses and contribute to the overall growth and sustainability of the green economy. In areas where agriculture provides the primary livelihood of communities, modernizing the agricultural sector is pivotal for sustainable development. This sector is responsible for a large proportion of global greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring the need for transitioning to sustainable practices. Ensuring training programs are accessible in rural areas could address the unique challenges faced by youth in these regions. Training on solar–powered irrigation systems and agro–processing equipment/machinery, for example, can help maximize proceeds from farming, thus making it an attractive venture for youths.
Facilitate skills–transfer initiatives
Project teams, with young locals working alongside experienced experts, can facilitate on–the–job training and skills transfer. Renewable energy projects, for example, should include training programs to ensure knowledge is transferred to local communities. As well as enhancing the technical capabilities of youth, this promotes knowledge exchange and instills a greater sense of local ownership, ultimately ensuring proper management and long–term sustainability. Such initiatives create a collaborative learning environment and contribute to the development of a skilled workforce ready to tackle the challenges of the evolving green landscape.
Include youth in decision–making processes
Incorporating the perspectives of youth in decision–making and policymaking is fundamental to developing effective strategies for skills development towards just transitions. Engaging with the youth community helps to understand their specific needs regarding green job skills. This inclusivity ensures that policies are tailored to address the unique challenges and aspirations of the younger generation, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment. Also, opportunities such as conferences and exchange programs provide a platform for young individuals to enhance their capacities, exchange ideas, and broaden their perspectives on critical issues related to sustainability and global challenges.
As the home of the world’s largest youth population, the Asia–Pacific region will be pivotal to achieving the global transition to a sustainable and inclusive future. Sustainability transitions are happening rapidly, and youth must take center stage in steering these changes. Ensuring that they have the requisite skills not only empowers them but also prepares them for successful careers in the green job market.
