We need to include youth in the Just Transition

Youth play a leading role in shaping the Just Transition (JT) to a greener economy; indeed, justice is fundamental to a durable and equitable transition. Recent research points out the need to address inequality across generations and between humans and nature, in order to reach a sustainable society and planet. The new Earth System Justice framework highlights how reducing harm on humans and increasing 'just access' to food, water, energy and infrastructure are critical to living within the Planetary Boundaries.

We believe there will be no just transition unless it includes youth. They are already bearing the consequences of decisions in the past and will continue to bear the consequences of today’s decisions, yet are often excluded from JT conversations - especially in developing countries, where 90% of the world’s 1.8 billion young people reside.

There is no one solution. Young people are a diverse group and their needs are differentiated based on their particular contexts and lived experiences. ⁠Action in sustainability does not currently involve the diversity of youth meaningfully and it won’t do so in the future unless organisations seriously consider how to include all young people in a way that is meaningful for all stakeholders. ⁠Beyond the moral case, the risk of inaction leads to further social unrest, polarisation and populism, and misses an opportunity for scaling action by bringing an entire generation into the climate movement. This article lays out five key strategies for including youth in the JT.

But first, what is a JT? How would you define it?

According to the International Labour Organisation, a JT aims to green the economy in a fair and inclusive manner. It involves creating decent work opportunities while maximising the social and economic benefits of climate action and managing its challenges through social dialogue and respect for labour rights.

However, the ILO provides just one of many definitions, perceptions and interpretations of what a JT means. With such varied views of what the objectives and implications of a JT are, ensuring a JT requires that all the affected groups—including youth—are included and represented in the JT process. 

Our workshop at TED: There will be no Just Transition without youth justice

The TED Countdown JT and youth justice workshop we facilitated in Brussels highlighted the importance of including youth in JT plans to ensure an inclusive transition. This article highlights key discussions, offering best practices and actionable steps for including youth in JT planning and implementation that emerged during the workshop.

Creative exercise: exploring youth perspectives

To showcase the diverse ways a JT impacts different youth groups and the implications for their inclusion in its planning and implementation, we invited participants to explore the JT experiences of three different personas: 

• Jean, a 28-year-old artisanal critical minerals miner from the DRC, fears that he, his colleagues, and youth in vulnerable sectors will lose their livelihoods in the JT.
• Emily, an 18-year-old high school graduate from Berlin, has yet to find a place at higher education or start a career; she feels uncertain and anxious about her future in a rapidly changing world.
• Miguel, a 24-year-old small-scale farmer near São Paulo, strives for sustainability amid industrial agriculture pressures. He aspires to innovate by prioritising health over profits but lacks the support or resources he needs.

Five key strategies for including youth in the Just Transition

Through these youth stories, we identified emerging best practices for including youth in the JT, emphasising the need to consider a diversity of youth perspectives.

1. Engagement, capacity building, and support networks

Proactive engagement with youth is important, as they may not seek help or know where to turn. Access to support networks from peers, older generations, employers, councils and schools can guide youth through the transition while boosting their self-worth. The EU toolkit emphasises that participation must be accessible, with the necessary skills provided through capacity-building initiatives. Local organisations also play a key role in raising awareness about the youth involvement in a JT. As the UNEP adds, mentorship and training can support youth-led green businesses and develop green skills for those uncertain about the transition.

It’s not just mentorship and support but also real influence and resources. For someone like Miguel, flexible funding and mentorship, loans and grants, and access to indigenous knowledge can make sustainable farming economically viable and socially valued. Examples of this kind of enabling engagement already exist, like C40’s 12 steps to establishing Youth Climate Councils in cities; an effective means for local governments to engage young people in their policy developments, review and implementation process.

2. Change the narrative

Young people are understandably uncertain and even scared about the future. Whether they are overwhelmed by the disruption to society that is already happening, and being told it will only get worse, or whether they are worried about their communities and skillsets no longer being needed, the story they are used to hearing is one of problems, disruption and doom; one that can lead to disengagement, paralysis and scepticism. Jean’s scepticism highlights the need for social dialogue and fair frameworks that respect workers’ contributions, ensure labour rights, and provide reskilling opportunities. To more constructively and collaboratively include young people in the JT it is important to engage them with messages of hope, solutions and opportunity. “Why would anyone want to engage in ‘sustainability’?” asked YouTuber, Wode Maya, at a discussion on Climate Storytelling at COP29, “we need to make sustainability fun!”.

3. Authentic case studies

Genuine and authentic engagement through real-life examples of youth-driven impact on corporate decisions can demonstrate inclusion to sceptical youth. As the EU toolkit notes, youth participation is not tokenistic; it holds real meaning. Transparency around their roles and impact is essential for building trust and empowering youth in decision-making processes. Involving young people in boardrooms or JT planning committees can ensure their voices are heard.

4. Trusted digital platforms

Engaging young people on platforms like Instagram and TikTok is important for their participation in the JT. Transparent, accurate content counters misinformation about the transition. For someone like Emily, misinformation and disinformation on social media further increases her uncertainty and hinders her ability to make informed decisions. Organisations can showcase inspiring content and examples of successful youth-driven projects. As the EU toolkit adds, this would demonstrate that their voices influence the direction of the transition. Tangible results and testimonials encourage young people to promote their own initiatives and spread awareness.

5. Mental health support

Many young people feel uncertain and overwhelmed by the climate crisis. It is essential to integrate mental health support into JT engagement. Creating spaces for youth to address feelings around job uncertainty and climate anxiety can help reduce isolation and empower action. Z Zurich Foundation will shortly publish a report focused on improving youth mental wellbeing in Europe that will help in this regard.

Mental wellbeing support can guide youth like Emily in navigating the JT and identifying potential opportunities.

Empower the next generation: Start including young voices in your Just Transition development

For the JT to succeed, youth must be at the heart of planning and implementation. Their diverse experiences reveal the unique challenges and opportunities they face, influencing the direction of the transition. Tailored support and meaningful inclusion are necessary to overcome any barriers.

Youth inclusion in the JT goes beyond symbolism; it is central to achieving justice and sustainability. Proactive, authentic engagement through capacity-building, wellbeing support, networks, and mentorship will equip youth with the tools, confidence, and connections needed to navigate the JT.

Engaging youth on social media, where they spend significant time, helps showcase the impact of their contributions. Real-world examples help counter misinformation, inspire action, and foster broader youth participation.

To achieve this, nations, governments, and organisations must:

1. Map youth groups impacted by JT plans.
2. Identify who to engage and how.
3. Engage them in positive JT conversations and offer ongoing support.

 Creating pathways for youth to influence decisions ensures a fair and inclusive transition. Supporting the next generation of community-rooted, compassionate leaders is vital, as they pioneer innovative social and environmental solutions. Empowering youth to lead will create an effective, transformative JT.

With the G20 leaders being called to commit ambitious national climate plans it is critical that they and business leaders include justice and engage young people in the process.