There is growing youth anxiety about prospects for the future, with 2 in 3 millennials worried about the impact climate change will have on their lives and prospects for the future (Deloitte, 2024). The global economy is consuming ever more natural resources, and the world is not on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. Addressing this reality, based on evolving concepts of a just transition, is an essential part of any credible and justifiable way forward (Global Resources Outlook 2024, IRP). Climate change and environmental degradation present important challenges to economic growth and employment, with even greater risks looming in the future. 

Yet, within this period of transition there are real opportunities for young people to secure better jobs that meet the needs of low-carbon and circular economies, ensuring job security for current and future generations. However, the lack of green skills in the world, with only 1 in 8 people having them, could become a real drag in the transition (LinkedIn, Global Green Skills Report, 2023). Hence, it is critically important of equipping young people with the necessary skills to match the demand of the labour market. 

The transition to a ​low-carbon ​and circular economy offers a unique opportunity to address these challenges with green skills building and green jobs creation while simultaneously reducing inequalities and fostering inclusive growth. Around 100 million new jobs are predicted to be created by 2030 by ensuring a green transition (ILO, 2022) 1. 

Despite their capacity to inspire action and drive positive change, young people's perspectives and proposed solutions are frequently overlooked or marginalized in decision-making processes. In response, this session aims to provide tangible solutions to address youth inequalities by enhancing the implementation of the ​     ​Green Jobs for Youth Pact. This initiative serves as a catalyst for greening existing jobs and creating new green jobs for youth within the framework of the circular economy, promoting meaningful youth engagement at various levels​.​​ ​By focusing on green jobs and skills development, this session directly addresses the core principles of Sustainable ​C​onsumption and Production (SCP) in facilitating the implementation of ​the ​sustainable development agenda, especially SDG-12: Responsible consumption and production, while tackling socio-economic inequalities. 

This session will contribute to the Green Jobs for Youth Pact, which is a legacy initiative of the International Meeting of a Stockholm+50. It brings together the combined strengths of three UN agencies, International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to tackle the green skills deficit and advance the just transition to a low carbon and circular economy. 

Museu do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow) Rio de Janeiro.  Room: Auditorium MAR.

Join the live session stream online, and watch the youtube upload after the event