As the green and digital transitions gather pace, young people – those with the most at stake – must be empowered to drive the solutions we need.
Major transformations have always been marked by profound shifts in power, values and vision. The digital and green transitions we face today are no different. They represent not just technological and ecological challenges but a challenge to our way of life. And yet, one question looms large, “who will hold the pen as we write the next chapters?”
It is easy to assume that the architects of these transitions will be the same voices that have dominated decision-making for centuries — those steeped in experience and power. But history, when examined closely, reveals a crucial insight: the most revolutionary changes are often driven not by aging elites but by those with the most at stake in the future — youth.
Interconnected futures
The digital and green revolutions are deeply intertwined. Digital technologies offer tools to combat climate change, optimise energy use and reimagine the way we live. Meanwhile, the climate crisis demands that we rethink the ethics and purpose of innovation, questioning what technologies we develop and why. Both transitions challenge our assumptions about progress, fairness and responsibility.
For these transitions to succeed, policies must transcend narrow interests and provide interconnected solutions. This is where the voice of youth becomes indispensable. Young people are not merely inheritors of these challenges — they are the first generation to grow up fully immersed in the digital world and the last generation with a chance to prevent catastrophic climate change.
Why do youth perspectives matter?
Young people bring to the table a unique combination of traits: unbridled creativity; an openness to risk; and a sense of urgency. In a world teetering on the brink of ecological collapse and grappling with the ethical dilemmas of artificial intelligence, these qualities are not luxuries; they are necessities.
In the digital realm, the rapid evolution of technology poses questions around algorithmic bias, data privacy, and the societal impact of automation that require fresh perspectives. Who better to address the pitfalls of an AI-driven world than those who have grown up navigating its early iterations?
Similarly, the green transition is not just about reducing carbon emissions; it is about rethinking our relationship with the planet and with one another. Young climate activists — myself among them —have long championed systemic solutions that challenge the status quo. From demanding divestment from fossil fuels to reimagining urban ecosystems, youth movements have consistently been at the forefront of innovation.
This does not mean the wisdom of experience should be ignored. On the contrary, the seasoned perspectives of older generations are indispensable for translating grand visions into actionable policies. Their institutional knowledge and ability to navigate political systems are critical assets in tackling challenges of this magnitude.
Empowering young people
Yet despite their potential, young people often face significant barriers to participating in policymaking. Political institutions are frequently designed to reward longevity and seniority, leaving little room for the energy and insight of youth. Along with other traditionally under-represented groups such as women and indigenous peoples, young voices tend to be overlooked in stakeholder engagement for the design of public policies.
The sheer pace of the digital and ecological crises often leads to decision making that prioritises short-term fixes over long-term vision—a tendency that marginalises those who will live longest with the consequences.
In times of crisis, the voices of young people are often too easy to ignore in the rush to act. Yet exclusion leads to injustice. When young voices are sidelined, policies reflect the biases and blind spots of older generations. This is particularly dangerous today, as the digital and green transitions demand foresight and a radical rethinking of power structures.
In Denmark’s Youth Climate Council, we have created spaces for dialogue across generations, ensuring that youth voices inform high-level decisions. As an environmental activist, I understand the urgency of more radical action, and I share the sense of impatience of many young people. Yet, I have also seen how pushing from within the system can open doors to meaningful progress, even if it feels incremental. Balancing these approaches is not easy, but it is where I believe my efforts can have the greatest impact.
We have shown that youth empowerment is not just empty phrases and clichés. A key success was introducing biodiversity into conversations about the healthcare system—a perspective previously overlooked in an organisation with a turnover of USD 6 billion and 40.000 employees. Our perspectives convinced the region to prioritise greener spaces around hospitals and even bring more greenery into patient rooms, demonstrating how biodiversity can enhance both environmental and human well-being. This showed that youth engagement is not a threat to established institutions but a vital complement.
In the youth councils where I have gained my experience, the outcomes are innovative and forward-thinking proposals for our shared future.
Critics may argue that young people are too idealistic, inexperienced, and lack practical know-how—but that is precisely what makes youth so well-suited to tackle some of our greatest challenges.
A Call to Action
To those in power, I urge you – create the structures that empower youth—not as passive beneficiaries but as active participants. Establish youth councils, fund their initiatives and give them seats at the policymaking table. To my fellow young leaders – do not wait for permission. Demand your place in shaping the policies that will define your future.
The digital and green transitions are not mere policy challenges, they are existential crossroads. The choices we make today will echo through centuries. Let us ensure those echoes carry the wisdom, creativity and courage of youth.
The lesson of history is clear: Progress does not come from preserving the old but from daring to imagine the new. The youth are ready. The question is, will the world listen?
OECD Work
Climate and resilience in cities | OECD
A Territorial Approach to Climate Action and Resilience | OECD
Subnational Government Climate Finance Hub | OECD
OECD Contacts
Tadashi MATSUMOTO – Head of Unit – National Urban Policy and Climate Resilience – Tadashi.MATSUMOTO@oecd.org
Andrés FUENTES HUTFILTER – Head of Unit – Environmental and Land Use Economics – Andres.FUENTES@oecd.org
