Empowering our youth for climate action

The urgency of climate change is a global reality, and Pakistan, with its vulnerability to extreme weather events, is acutely feeling its impacts. In this context, youth, as the future generation, have a pivotal role to play in driving sustainable solutions and fostering climate resilience. However, effective climate action requires not just awareness but also comprehensive training and empowerment.

While Pakistan has made strides in developing national and provincial climate change policies, implementation remains a challenge due to institutional shortcomings. The federal Ministry of Climate Change, though well-intentioned, has struggled to establish a robust climate change regime. Provincial environmental departments, often staffed with non-technical personnel, have primarily focused on administrative tasks rather than substantive climate action.

After the youth-steered latest general election, our political leaders tried to divert the power of our youth towards addressing one of the leading global issues. With 69% of our population under 30, our hopes for the future are pinned on our youth. Climate change requires a strategic combination of wisdom and passion. If a nation has passionate and vibrant youth, no issue can hinder its journey towards a sustainable future. It simply requires skillful use of this passion by experienced leaders.

A positive development has been the establishment of the Green Youth Movement by the Ministry of Youth Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change. This initiative aims to engage university students in climate action through training and capacity building. However, the quality and effectiveness of these training programmes are a concern. While the movement has conducted training sessions in major cities, the content and delivery of these sessions have been inconsistent. The reliance on non-technical trainers and the lack of involvement of climate change professionals have limited the depth and relevance of the training.

Moreover, the nomination process for mentors in the training programmes has been flawed. Universities often nominate faculty members based on seniority rather than their interest or expertise in climate change. This has resulted in a mismatch between the training content and the needs of the trainees. Many faculty members, driven by personal motivations or bureaucratic requirements, have attended the training without a genuine commitment to climate action.

To address these issues, it is imperative to implement several reforms. First, the Green Youth Movement should prioritise the recruitment of qualified climate change professionals as trainers. These experts can provide in-depth knowledge and practical guidance to participants. Second, the nomination process for training should be more rigorous, ensuring that only faculty members with a genuine interest in climate change and a commitment to climate action are selected. Third, the training programmes should be tailored to the specific needs and contexts of different regions within Pakistan, considering factors such as climate vulnerabilities, local challenges and opportunities.

Furthermore, the involvement of civil society organisations is crucial in fostering climate action among youth. NGOs can provide grassroots support, connect youth with local communities, and facilitate the implementation of climate change projects. The Green Youth Movement should collaborate with a consortium of climate change NGOs to deliver training programmes and support youth-led initiatives.

The numerous initiatives undertaken by NGOs demonstrate their keen interest in addressing climate change. Recently, several youth organisations focused on climate change have been established. However, due to lack of guidance, many of these organisations rely on guesswork. To effectively operate in this technical field, they require formal training. The vast scope of climate change necessitates diverse training opportunities. To achieve this, a training facility in each provincial capital is essential.

Currently, random awareness sessions are being conducted throughout the country. It is widely understood that climate change encompasses a broad range of subjects, including climatology, political science, financial management, innovative solutions, energy economics and greenhouse gas accounting. These diverse topics cannot be adequately covered in a few uncoordinated awareness sessions with significant overlap. This highlights the need for a comprehensive climate change compendium in local languages to train our youth through print or electronic publications, taking into account the country's specific context.

Finally, the federal government should ensure that the 18th Amendment is fully implemented, recognising the role of provincial governments in climate change governance. The training programmes for youth should be decentralised to the district level, allowing for a more localised and responsive approach. By involving district leaders and local communities, the Green Youth Movement can better address the unique climate challenges and opportunities in different regions of Pakistan.

In addition to these reforms, the federal government should allocate a significant portion of the budget for climate change awareness and education to incite climate action in our youth. This funding can be used to expand the reach of the programme, involve both genders and provide training on climate risk reduction, particularly in vulnerable regions like Sindh and Balochistan. The collaboration with NGOs can also be strengthened to enhance the effectiveness of climate risk reduction efforts.

Furthermore, the establishment of a dedicated climate change awareness and education wing both at federal and provincial levels is essential. This setup can develop curriculum for schools and universities, incorporating climate change into existing subjects like science and art. This approach can help students understand the implications of climate change and develop solutions. To effectively communicate climate change information, the federal Ministry of Climate Change should appoint a climate communication expert with a strong background in both climate science and environmental awareness. This expert can develop engaging and informative content that resonates with diverse audiences.

By implementing these reforms and leveraging the potential of the Green Youth Movement, Pakistan can effectively train and empower its youth to become leaders in the fight against climate change. Through collaboration, capacity building and community involvement, the country can harness the potential of its young generation to build a more resilient and sustainable future.