25.5.2023
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
C 184/13
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Young people’s role in the green transition’ (Exploratory opinion at the request of the Swedish presidency) (2023/C 184/03)
Rapporteur: Nicoletta MERLO
Request by the Swedish
Letter of 14.11.2022
Presidency of the Council Legal basis
Article 304 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union
Section responsible
Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship
Adopted in section
8.3.2023
Adopted at plenary
22.3.2023
Plenary session No
577
Outcome of vote (for/against/abstentions)
152/00/01
1.
Conclusions and recommendations 1.1.
The EESC believes that young people can and must play a crucial role in the context of the green transition.
It considers that a new governance model that is more inclusive and capable of ensuring the active involvement of young people in decision-making processes, overcoming the obstacles that still exist, is essential. 1.2.
The EESC stresses the importance of ensuring that youth organisations have a leading role in the decision-making process and in the development and dissemination of projects relating to sustainability and the environment, including by guaranteeing them the necessary financial support. 1.3.
The EESC considers it vital to constantly monitor the effects that public investments, including those relating to the green transition, have and will have in the future on young people through an economic, political and social impact assessment of the policies to be implemented, using indicators before, during and after their approval. 1.4.
The EESC encourages the EU institutions and the Member States to implement measures and mechanisms to ensure that the youth perspective is taken into account in all policy areas and to create a space that is able to guarantee active participation of young people through the full adoption of the EU Youth Test. 1.5.
The EESC considers it crucial to link the initiatives and policies that will be adopted in the context of the European Year of Skills to the theme of the green transition, sustainable development, and the challenges that young people face in a rapidly changing world. 1.6.
The EESC considers it essential to consider education and the development of the skills expected by young people on this issue using a cross-cutting approach that is capable of providing theoretical and practical skills, including by implementing and enhancing school-to-work paths and professional apprenticeships, and also involving the social partners.
Training on these topics should also be made structural, by designing and developing it starting from the territories and their needs, within a broader framework at national level. 1.7.
The EESC considers it necessary to start teaching sustainability and environmental protection issues from an early age, adopting innovative educational tools that take into account environmental protection, social and economic development, and the achievement of related objectives.
Quality education for all and decent work for those providing it are key to ensuring this. 1.8.
The EESC stresses the importance for schools to engage in green transition issues in concert with local authorities and out-of-school activities, especially with youth organisations and organised civil society, thereby generating an increase in awareness and participation among ordinary citizens.
In this connection, the EESC judges the experience of the Green Erasmus Project positively and looks forward to it being implemented.