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The side event, titled “Driving the Just Transition: Labor-Based Incentives and Youth-Centric Policies for a Sustainable Future,” according to a statement endorsed by both Hon. Ogene and Anika Altaf, PhD, Executive Director, INCLUDE, focused on actionable strategies to foster a fair and inclusive renewable energy transition in Africa. The discussions centered around labor-based incentives, youth-centered policies, and the intersection of equity, sustainability, and job creation. Speakers at the side event included Ogene, Dr. Altaf, Victoria Manya, (Knowledge Broker, INCLUDE), Nurgul Iliazova, Professor of Economics, Bishkek State University, Kazakhstan, Farida Ally, Kenyan youth leader, Solomon Abu, a nuclear scientist and Kgaugelo Mkumbeni, research officer, Institute for Security Studies, Kenya. Dr. Altaf in her presentation suggested mentorship programmes and international funding to authentically support youth-led renewable energy projects. The conversations outlined a comprehensive approach to design labour incentives that not only support job creation, but also address the specific needs of young people. This includes accessible financial incentives, such as grants for youth-led startups and subsidies for skills acquisition in renewable energy industries; and policies that will integrate transparency and inclusivity to ensure equitable access. The outcomes of the event reflected a unified approach to addressing Africa’s unique challenges and opportunities in the global energy transition. The statement said further: “Victoria Manya set the scene for the panel’s conversation predicated on three critical points: • Africa has pressing needs, like job creation and energy access, to address energy poverty. • Africa contributes less than 4% of global emissions, so our transition must prioritize fair, localized strategies. • For this transition to truly benefit Africa, we must base it on labour incentives that empower youth to take the lead. “The event underscored the importance of crafting policies that resonate with young people. This involves using youth-friendly language, actively involving young voices in policy formulation, and prioritizing initiatives that align with their aspirations, such as meaningful, skill-based employment opportunities in the renewable energy sector.” The various speakers were also in agreement that “Young people are emerging as key contributors to renewable energy solutions tailored to their communities. These innovations are not only effective but scalable, demonstrating the transformative potential of youth-led technological advancements in combating climate change. Emphasis was placed on the role of AI and digital technologies in enabling this progress. Early exposure, such as teaching coding skills to children as young as eight, was highlighted as a critical step in fostering a generation capable of driving impactful solutions.” Participants also stressed the importance of involving youths, not merely as advisors but as decision-makers in climate policy formulation. Standardized toolkits and training programmes were identified as essential for equipping youth with the skills necessary to thrive in the renewable energy sector. The session called for partnerships between governments, educational institutions, and private sector actors to develop and implement targetted technical and vocational training. A critical theme in the conversation was ensuring that vulnerable and marginalized communities are not left behind in the renewable energy transition. Inclusive policies must address systemic inequalities by bridging access gaps, particularly for young people in underprivileged regions. This approach includes promoting social equity in labour opportunities and decision-making processes. Global and regional collaboration, international organizations and regional stakeholders were urged to provide authentic support for youth-led initiatives. These includes mentorship programs, direct funding for grassroots projects, and platforms for cross-sector collaboration that prioritize local solutions. The event concluded with a call for turning discussions into actionable frameworks, including involving piloting labour-based incentives, integrating youth-focused priorities into national renewable energy policies, and leveraging global forums such as COP 2024 to amplify Africa’s voice in the energy transition. Participants unanimously urged international organizations and regional stakeholders to provide authentic support for youth-led initiatives. This includes mentorship programmes, direct funding for grassroots projects, and platforms for cross-sector collaboration that prioritize local solutions.
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