European Youth at the Heart of the Energy Transition
The lack of formal European youth engagement mechanisms in different sectors is one of the biggest hurdles in advancing Europe’s ambitions, preventing direct youth participation in decision-making. One excellent example is the European energy transition, marked by progressive goals to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and invest significantly in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Here, youth have a key role to play in enhancing ambitions and catalysing action, by generating new ideas and meaningful discussions that will affect the speed and outlook of the transition.
Cities’ energy consumption as a challenge!
Urban areas account for more than 55% of the world's population and are expected to increase to 68% by 2050. They have the highest energy consumption (about two thirds) and 70% of the greenhouse gas emissions. It is key to not only tackle energy technologies in cities but also citizen behaviour for more sustainable habits. Young people have incredible potential when leading behavioural change and tailoring new behaviours towards sustainability.
Youth as “Tokenism”
Due to their often disruptive approach, youth ideas are sometimes perceived as unstructured or unfeasible, rather than as a resource for the renovation and for the recovery of the society. Therefore, youth potential may be underestimated. In some cases, youth participation is considered as a formality without major effect, reaction, or change, which generates the so-called “tokenism” phenomenon: the participation “for show” in initiatives where young people have little to no influence.
Why Youth and Energy Transition?
The European Union, with the European Green Deal, aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Such a target cannot be underestimated and achieved without intergenerational collaboration. It is key to involve all stakeholder groups in order to gather enough strength to improve the energy system.
In fact, young people are a crucial asset in the Clean Energy Transition and to tackle the climate crisis. Individuals now between 16 and 30 years old will spend their next 30 years in the most active part of their careers. This is the time when we need action to achieve energy and climate goals by 2050. Thus, these “youngsters” will not only contribute to the energy transition but will indeed lead it!
We need young people with energy to disrupt the old-fashioned energy system, to create new innovative business models, to advance research in energy technologies, and to populate governments with the right mindset!
As youth, we have an outwardly view which is necessary to question the status quo and find solutions to tackle the climate crisis. Additionally, there is a lack of cooperation between youth-led energy organisations and also an insufficient understanding of institutions and processes. We built the European Youth Energy Network (EYEN) to fix that.
The European Youth Energy Network (EYEN) is a European network of energy-focused youth organisations from across Europe, whose mission is to place youth at the heart of the European energy transition.
How?
- Connect energy-focused youth organizations with each other and to actors in the energy sector, both at international and local levels.
- Disseminate opportunities, share knowledge, develop skills with training programmes and improve the outreach of youth organizations.
- Empower young energy leaders, facilitating their engagement with national and European governments and their participation in high-level debates.
The European Youth Energy Network has:
4 founding members: YES-Europe, YES DC, PIaneta Energy, and ELIES Energy.
2 founding partners: SDG7 Youth Constituency for United Nations Major Group for Chidren and Youth and Student Energy.
