The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) themed "In Solidarity for a Green World" took place in Baku, Azerbaijan from November 11 to 22, 2024. The Conference is organized around two primary zones: the Blue Zone: the formal negotiation space managed by the UNFCCC where government representatives, negotiators, and accredited observers who discuss global climate policies, strategies, and agreements are hosted. The Blue Zone is where critical decisions are made, such as setting climate finance goals and reviewing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs); and the Green Zone: a space showcasing contributions from various stakeholders, including businesses, NGOs, indigenous groups, and youth organizations, that is open to the public. The Green Zone serves as an interactive hub for exhibitions, discussions, and demonstrations of climate innovations and community-driven solutions. These zones collectively emphasize the importance of collaboration between governments, private sectors, and civil society to address climate challenges effectively.
Junior Achievement was involved in a Green Zone event hosted by our partner, Deloitte on November 18, 2024. This event was held on Day 8 of COP29 that was focused on Human Development, Children and Youth, Health, Education. Kirk Kenny, Chief Development Officer at Junior Achievement Asia Pacific, took part in Deloitte’s COP29 pavilion session, “Building a Green Generation: Youth Perspectives on Driving Change.” A panel discussion was hosted by Moderator- Stasha Santifort, Global Sustainability & Climate Leader and Panelists:
Hikaru Hayakawa, Executive Director and Founding Director, Climate Cardinals
Louise Graymore, Chief of Private Climate Partnerships, UNICEF
Kirk Kenny, Chief Development Officer, Asia Pacific, Junior Achievement
Martin Baxter, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, IEMA
Kirk Kenny emphasized how JA’s mission to inspire and prepare young people for success in the workplace aligns closely with empowering youth to take meaningful climate action. He highlighted the importance of equipping young people with essential green skills—not just to excel in future careers but also to develop innovative, sustainable businesses. Kirk also shared insights into JA’s experiential learning approach, which combines practical experiences with values-based education. He underscored the pivotal role that businesses can play in supporting and advancing such initiatives, fostering a generation capable of driving both economic and environmental progress.
Building a Green Generation: Empowering Youth to Shape a Sustainable Future
As the climate crisis continues to escalate, the role of young people in driving sustainable practices and creating solutions for a greener future has never been more vital. They are not only inheriting a planet fraught with challenges but are also emerging as the changemakers who can innovate, advocate, and lead the way toward a sustainable tomorrow. To truly empower this "Green Generation," collaboration among businesses, policymakers, civil society, and education systems is crucial. Together, we must equip young people with the skills and mindset necessary to address today’s climate and environmental challenges.
The Rising Demand for Green Skills
Young people are increasingly vocal about their desire to be part of the solution. They are demanding green skills—competencies that enable them to adapt, innovate, and thrive in a green economy. NGOs, private sector organizations, and governments must rise to meet this demand, ensuring these skills are imparted at scale. Junior Achievement (JA), for instance, is committed to addressing this need by integrating sustainability into its educational programs, empowering millions of youth globally with the tools to lead sustainable initiatives.
Importantly, “green skills” encompass more than just technical abilities such as renewable energy technologies or sustainable engineering. Equally essential are the attitudes, values, and behaviors that underpin meaningful action. For instance, JA emphasizes starting with emotional and values-based connections to sustainability. When young people deeply care about the environment, their commitment to pursuing green careers and championing sustainable practices becomes more genuine and enduring.
Fostering Green Entrepreneurship
Green skills and entrepreneurship are inherently linked. While preparing young people to join a green workforce is critical, it is equally important to encourage them to create the green businesses of tomorrow. JA’s approach fosters entrepreneurial thinking, enabling youth to design innovative products and services that align with sustainable development goals (SDGs) and contribute to a green economy. Whether launching eco-friendly startups or creating community-based solutions, these entrepreneurial ventures are key to driving systemic change. A sample of this can be viewed in the COP29 Short Video Showcase presented for this conference: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxaY0Pt2OjhUxDb-MzpSR0FW5Th5MJ6el
Building Holistic Skill Sets
In addition to technical and entrepreneurial skills, young people need complementary abilities such as leadership, systems thinking, design thinking, analytical reasoning, and teamwork. These skills empower them to navigate complex problems, collaborate effectively, and create scalable solutions. Through its programs, JA cultivates these skills, nurturing a generation of leaders equipped to address multifaceted environmental challenges. More information on programs offered by JA Asia Pacific can be found here: https://www.jaasiapacific.org/programs
A Call for Cross-Sector Collaboration
The responsibility to prepare young people for a green future cannot rest solely on the shoulders of governments. Civil society and the private sector must take the lead in creating scalable models of climate education and green skill-building. JA’s partnerships with businesses and NGOs demonstrate how collaboration can bridge the gap, providing young people with mentorship, experiential learning opportunities, and real-world exposure to sustainability challenges.
Ultimately, education systems must integrate these models, ensuring that sustainability is a core part of the curriculum. By doing so, we create a pipeline of young leaders who are not only aware of the issues but are also equipped to take meaningful action. In the Asia Pacific region, with Junior Achievement collaborates with some governments (e.g. Philippines and Indonesia) in the effort to integrate financial literacy and inclusion leading to social awareness and sustainability into the national curriculum.
The Way Forward
Building a green generation requires a collective commitment to equipping young people with the skills, knowledge, and mindset to lead in a green economy. By fostering connections to sustainability, encouraging entrepreneurship, and providing a holistic skill set, we can empower youth to be the architects of a sustainable future.
As we work toward this goal, we must remember that waiting for policy changes or public sector initiatives to take the lead is no longer an option. Civil society and the private sector must drive the agenda, setting the stage for others to follow. Together, we can inspire, educate, and empower young people to rise to the challenge and build a brighter, greener future for all.
Junior Achievement is proud to be part of this journey, equipping young people not just with green skills but with the vision, values, and leadership necessary to turn their passion into action. The Green Generation is here—and they are ready to lead the way.