Young people seek a bigger role in climate decisions

Young people across the Eastern Caribbean are eager to pursue careers in the green and circular economy, but a lack of information, training and accessible opportunities is preventing many from doing so, according to a new UNICEF-commissioned study. 

The findings came as World Environment Day was observed on Friday, from a survey conducted last year among young people in Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and Saint Lucia were presented at the UN House.

The study, Young People’s Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Climate Change and Green and Circular Economies in the Eastern Caribbean, found that while many young people are aware of climate change and eager to be part of the solution, significant barriers remain, particularly in accessing information, training and employment opportunities.

“The good news is that young people want to be part of the solution,” said UNICEF acting representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Maryam Abdu.

“Many are interested in green jobs and training opportunities, but there are barriers, the biggest one is the lack of information, and we know information is power, especially in this jet age. Many young people also say they don’t have enough access to training or jobs, and the opportunities feel unequal or hard to reach.”

The findings also highlighted the need for greater youth involvement in decision-making and stronger support to help young people transition into careers within the green and circular economy.

Abdu called for a greater investment in youth development and inclusion.

“With better information, more training and new opportunities, it also means young people must not just be consulted but included in decisions that impact on their life. You are not just the future, you are the leader. This reform is not just about sharing information; it’s about taking action, together.”

The findings should be used to guide policy development and programme implementation across the region, she suggested.

“Let us use these findings to first improve policies. Let us strengthen programmes that focus on supporting young people and the climate change impact. Let’s remove the barriers that impact on them and create real opportunities for young people in the Caribbean. Now, If we want young people to succeed, and we do want them to succeed. We need to make sure what they learn, what they do, matches the jobs of the future.”

Country leader for the World Food Programme, Brian Bogart, said young people across the region are informed, engaged and ready to contribute, but institutions must keep pace with their ambitions.

He said: “Across the Caribbean, the United Nations is supporting an expanding portfolio of youth-focused initiatives linked to climate action and the transition to circular, blue and green economies. In Barbados, young leaders are actively engaging in climate policy processes and contributing to national climate plans and financing frameworks. 

“Climate action summits have also created important platforms for meaningful youth participation. Through initiatives such as the Green Rising initiative, we aim to equip more than 5 000 young people with the skills needed for green and blue economies while fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.”

But Bogart noted that despite growing opportunities, structural barriers continue to limit youth participation. He argued that stronger connections are needed between education, training and employment.

“It means expanding access to practical opportunities such as training, internships, and certification programs that provide real experience and open doors, and it calls for ensuring that information about these opportunities is clear, accessible, and designed with young people in mind. Young people are not simply asking to be informed, they’re asking to be included, to be equipped, and to participate meaningfully in shaping their future.”

CARICOM Programme Manager for Youth Development Michele Small-Bartley said the revised CARICOM Youth Development Action Plan provides a strong framework for advancing youth participation and resilience across the region.

“It calls for more coordination, inclusiveness, evidence-informed approach to youth development, and it supports youth participation, employability, leadership, resilience, well-being, and institutional strengthening, all priorities that speak directly to the findings of this study. We continue to work with member states and partners to strengthen the enabling environment for youth development across the region.”

Small-Bartley said the findings reinforced the need for stronger systems and accountability mechanisms to support young people.

“We’re also advancing the CARICOM on youth development governance structure and youth development index because we know that good intentions are not enough. We need systems. We need data. We need coordination, accountability, and mechanisms; we need youth voices to move from consultation to decision-making and action.”

She underscored the importance of ensuring young people are not only prepared to participate in green and circular economies, but are empowered to lead them.

(LG)