Vietnam's youth take the lead on climate solutions

The reports are based on detailed surveys and interviews with over 1260 young people across Viet Nam. They highlight a strong interest among the youth in contributing to a cleaner, greener future. However, the reports also indicate that many young people need more information or training to participate fully in these efforts. This gap signals a pressing need for more education and resources that are easy to understand and access.

Source: congthuong.vn

The reports emphasize youth are taking advantage of digitalization and social networks in improving their learning on climate change knowledge and skills. This also helps youth communities to enhance them to generate new innovations and practice green skills.  

The "Youth in Just Energy Transition" report specifically points out the critical role of youth as advocates, educators, innovators, and leaders in sustainable energy practices. It notes the existing enthusiasm for engagement but calls attention to a significant gap in technical knowledge and green skills necessary for future careers in sustainable energy.

On the other hand, the "Youth in Climate Change Education" report emphasizes the high demand among youth for experiential learning and the potential of rural students to take local action to address environmental issues. It applauds the recent integration of climate change content into the curriculum. It recognizes the role of digitalization in enhancing climate change learning, advocating for the expansion and formalization of online resources into education systems.

Young people are a powerful force for change, representing a significant part of Vietnam's population. The Youth4Climate Initiative and the youth for climate learning hub, supported by the UNDP's Climate Promise Programme, have become key platforms for young voices, encouraging them to share their ideas and participate in the country's efforts to meet its climate goals.

Ms. Ramla Khalidi, UNDP Resident Representative in Viet Nam, said, "As Viet Nam moves towards a low-carbon future, the message from you is resoundingly clear: we should not only recognize but also actively invest in the ability of younger generations to play a meaningful part in the energy transition. UNDP stands ready to be a bridge for Viet Nam's youth to access and channel their knowledge and dynamism into Viet Nam's implementation of its JETP." 

The event was participated by representatives of the lead scientists, the Department of Climate Change, Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment, Ministry of Education and Training, UNDP, UNESCO in Viet Nam, the Italian Embassy in Viet Nam, Viet Nam Academy of Social Sciences, non-governmental organizations, private sector, research institute and more than 80 youth participants./.