Youth Perspectives on Climate: Preparing for a Sustainable Future
As of 2024, there were over 1.2 billion people aged 16 to 24 in the world, representing a decisive force for addressing the climate crisis.
With climate change accelerating, this generation will be significantly impacted over their lives, and therefore, must have a voice in shaping future climate policy. Meaningful collaboration with youth must happen.
The Capgemini Research Institute report, Youth perspectives on climate: Preparing for a sustainable future, was co-developed with UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited as part of a multi-year partnership supporting the Green Rising initiative. The report explores youth perspectives on the climate crisis, their take on “green skilling,” and how business and government can collaborate with young people to inspire climate advocacy and activism.
The report is based on a comprehensive survey of 5,100 youth aged 16 to 24 across 21 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe. It encompasses youth in the Global South and Global North, with 83% in the Global South – filling a void in the body of research addressing youth and climate change, and giving voice to youth of differing socio-economic backgrounds.
Key insights and perspectives include:
- Amid climate anxiety, the spirit of youthful hope is still alive. Our research reveals that 67% of young people globally worry about the impact of climate change – and 72% believe there is still time to address this impact.
- Youth value green skills but worry they lack them. Over half of those surveyed are interested in pursuing a green job, with 6 in 10 agreeing that developing green skills will unlock new career opportunities. But only 44% of youth globally feel equipped with the skills needed for today’s green workforce.
- 7 in 10 young people believe that youth should be able to influence environmental policy, but less than half (47%) feel that adults in their communities listen to and consider their views.
- Most youth believe that business and political leaders must act more decisively to address climate change.
In providing a comprehensive overview of how youth feel about the climate crisis, the report provides support to corporate sustainability and human resources leaders and policymakers in understanding youth priorities when crafting policy, taking legislative action, and engaging with the public on environmental and sustainability issues.
To learn how organizations can support young people in driving climate solutions and supporting the development of green skills, download the Youth perspectives on climate report today.
Originally Published at: Global youth and sustainability - Capgemini
* UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand product, or service.
Media contacts
About Generation Unlimited
Launched by the UN Secretary-General at the 2018 UN General Assembly, UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited is a leading global Public-Private-Youth Partnership on a mission to skill and connect the world’s 1.8 billion young people to opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, and social impact. The partnership brings together global organisations and leaders including Heads of State, CEOs, Heads of UN agencies, and civil society champions with young people to co-create and deliver innovative solutions on a global scale.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
