YES TO Net Zero (Youth, Education, Skills and Training to Operationalise Net Zero)

This research project is one of four “COP26” Fellowships funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to synthesise and translate research to support policy-makers and practitioners in the lead up to COP26. This project will investigate how young people can be meaningfully engaged in, and drive forward a just transition towards Net Zero.

Research has identified education and training as a "social tipping point" for reaching decarbonisation by 2050 and, as governments update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and prepare for (green) recoveries from COVID19 they require timely data on this topic to guide policy creation. A focus on young people (aged 18­-35) is crucial given their vulnerability to COVID19-related impacts on employment and their role as the generation that will primarily carry out the green jobs of the future.

Furthermore, as the green jobs agenda enjoys near universal support, it has potential to build trust between Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), enhancing ambition ahead of the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) taking place in Glasgow, UK, in November 2021.

This research seeks to increase understanding of the extent to which current provision of climate change education and training aligns with the green jobs agenda. It aims to identify key levers, barriers and best practice examples to support greater alignment of Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) policies with the creation of and investment in sustainable jobs. The intention is to supports the mainstreaming of ACE into other climate policy areas which to unlocking ambition, delivering inclusive outcomes and increasing policy cohesion.

Project website

https://pcancities.org.uk/news/cop26-fellows-work-will-inform-glasgow-summit