(GIST OF YOJANA) Youth for Environment Sustainability

(February-2023)

Youth-driven climate action initiatives could be a rapid-win situation for augmenting the overall quality of education; on our way to attaining net-zero emissions by 2030 and ensuring the quality of life for future generations on this planet. The most valuable and dynamic human resource in society is the youth, who is the ‘torch bearer’ for future generations.

Young people have unique needs and obligations when it comes to the environment. They are going to endure a prolonged time in the degrading environment, as a result they will be more motivated to find effective solutions to environmental concerns.
A focused approach is required about GHG emissions, health concerns emerging from climate change, impacts of changing climate, and actions that individuals can take to reduce their impact vis-a-vis GHG emission.
Innovative thinking will be required in the future to develop and prepare strategic frameworks, policies, and procedures; undertake actual field research; conserve biodiversity; and monitor operations for land management, crisis and disaster management, and so on.

The SDGs require immediate attention for us to drive them effectively.
Increasing the emphasis on genuine, meaningful young participation in governance and decision-making is one of the ways we may achieve the goal.
Youth have the capacity and potential to be the driving engine for growth, development and a contributor to the peace and security of any nation.

Critical thinkers- Youth can see and confront current power systems, obstacles to change, and inconsistencies and biases.
Change-makers- Youth can mobilise others and take action. Globally, youth activism is increasing due to improved connectivity and access to social media.
Innovators- Young people frequently have firsthand knowledge of and insights into topics that are not available to adults, in addition to bringing new viewpoints. Youth can provide fresh perspectives and unique solutions since they are most familiar with the issues they confront.
Communicators- Young people can collaborate to spread the development agenda among their peers and communities locally as well as internationally.
Leaders- Young people may influence change in their communities and nations when they are empowered with awareness of their rights and leadership abilities.

The nation’s backbone is its youth. Young people can actively contribute to preserving and enhancing the environment, by sustainably altering their lifestyle and positively impact the environment. By implementing ecofriendly practices, recycling various items, and conserving resources like water and electricity, they may make their homes, schools, and youth organisations more ecologically friendly.
Government strategies are required to address youth unemployment directly and to maximise the potential of cities to achieve full and decent employment. Urban authorities should be given the freedom to create and implement coherent strategies for long-term employment growth as part of a national urban policy.
It takes in-depth knowledge and comprehension of the connections between environmental well-being and urban life quality, economic growth, and climate change, as well as ongoing monitoring of biodiversity and ecosystems and their services at all scales, within and around cities, to make the transition to an economic model that is in balance with nature. Infrastructure spending can have a significant positive impact on urban economic development, prosperity, poverty reduction, environmental sustainability, and health.

Youth-led organisations are at the forefront in the planning and delivery of workshops and campaigns to provide youth a perspective on national sustainable development discussions and to guarantee that youth is meaningfully engaged. Participants accomplish this through peer-to-peer education, training, and capacity-building.

Youth social entrepreneurship thrives best in ecosystems that offer focused technical assistance as well as specialised assistance in fields like education, finance, networking, and market development within an overall business-friendly environment. In other words, a strong commercial environment must be incorporated into an ecosystem that supports young social entrepreneurs. This implies that while enhancing the business climate is vital, it is insufficient.
To help the youth in the best way to maximise their potential, a holistic and laser-focused approach to the development of an enabling social entrepreneurship ecosystem is required. Although it is commonly accepted that young social entrepreneurs may facilitate economic and social development and inclusion, current ecosystems rarely utilise their full potential. Realising the full potential of young social entrepreneurship from both a youth development and a social impact standpoint will be possible once enabling and customised social entrepreneurship ecosystems are in place.

There is a need for strengthening job placement procedures and educational programs for green careers. Growing demand for curricula, research, career counseling, and job placement exists in order to create the workforce necessary for a just and inclusive future that supports the achievement of national climate goals.
Environmental and socially sustainable development information and skills should be included in all majors so that students can become educated employees or employers, customers, community members, and investors. In order to promote green entrepreneurship, this project will also strengthen the connections between SDG practitioners, green economy employers, and educational institutions.