Help young people steward green transition

International Youth Day is observed annually on August 12 to draw attention to the concerns of young people around the world. This year, the theme is "Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World." Young people are related to climate change in multiple ways. Research shows how climate change and extreme weather affect physical and mental health of the youth, leaving them with a certain level of pessimism. Yet, they have come together to advocate for climate justice, acting as stewards for the future. It is very much about their right to life and dignity.

The participation of youth in politics and movement is not new, given the urgency of their collective issues. Youth are the driving force of change, not only on the political front, but in every social, economic and environmental aspect. According to the United Nations, by 2030, as many as 57 percent of the world's population will be under 30 years of age. We are fortunate to live in a time when the population comprises so many young people. According to the 2022 Bangladesh census, 56.77 percent of the total population is under 30 years old. It is more than 64 percent when considering below 35 years, if we calculate the upper age limit for a young person in line with our National Youth Policy (2017).

Young individuals do not fall into a single category; they are diverse. Given the urban-rural divide, gender inequality, and numerous other socioeconomic differences, there is a significant gap among the youth in terms of accessing education, healthcare and other public services. As this year's International Youth Day highlights the importance of young people having access to green skills, regardless of any exclusions or marginalisation, it begs the question: how will Bangladesh ensure equality in providing green skills to its young people for a sustainable world?

The current demographic landscape in Bangladesh and worldwide presents a massive opportunity to alter the development discourse through the strength, vigour and creativity of young people. Additionally, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that the UN adopted in 2015 present an exceptional opportunity to establish a new global standard that is more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Protecting the planet from anthropocentric effects and excessive exploitation of natural resources was one of the core justifications for the SDG adaptation. The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that if human civilisation does not behave sensibly towards nature and the environment, the consequences will be catastrophic. The global population now stands at over eight billion, whereas it was only 1.2 billion in 1850, in the pre-industrial era. According to experts, our planet is exhausted by maintaining the supply channels for the unrestricted consumption of its population.

This is a timely reminder to foster the shift towards a new economic and consumption pattern and a new green deal, which is the very message of the 2023 International Youth Day. It will also be crucial to attaining the SDGs by 2030 as well as fostering climate justice. There is no alternative to making our world greener and more sustainable, as promised by global leaders and demanded for decades by civil society and young people worldwide. Although the SDGs were adopted in 2015 and are at the halfway point of their mandate, no considerable progress has been made during this time. Instead of supporting SDGs, global resources are being redirected to back mercenaries in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war.

The theme for this year's International Youth Day, therefore, holds significant relevance as it explores the concept of transition and the potential contributions of young individuals behind it. Simply put, green skills are the knowledge, abilities, values and attitudes needed to live in, develop and support a sustainable and resource-efficient society. A successful shift, however, is not just dependent on "skills for the future" and "skills for green jobs." Young people need to take on leadership roles with the necessary skills and enthusiasm. Moreover, transition under the leadership of young people requires acquiring technical knowledge supported by governments, developing broader collaboration, transferring technology to Global South, and giving the young people a space to become global citizens. Transition is an issue that requires behavioural changes among the younger generations and others.

The world is currently going through a critical passage; on the one hand, it is experiencing frequent and severe disasters as an outcome of climate change, and on the other hand, it is experiencing sluggish implementation of the SDGs due to inadequate financial allocation and the absence of partnership development. If the expected transition does not make any progress, the implementation of the SDGs and its relevant goals, such as affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), and taking climate action (SDG 13), will be dumped. The situation is similarly pertinent in Bangladesh, and it provides insights about whether we are ready to provide green skills to our young people and support them to lead the transition towards a more sustainable and greener world. Are we creating an enabling environment for those who want to take the lead? Are we allocating resources to this endeavour? This is the time to explore all these questions – not just for our young people, but for our country and for this planet.

Farah Kabir is country director of ActionAid Bangladesh.

Nazmul Ahsan is manager, Young People at ActionAid Bangladesh.