Since 2020, the annual European Youth Energy Day has served as a great opportunity to bring young people’s voices to the forefront of the energy transition. With 2022 designated the European Year of Youth, it was more important than ever to empower them to share their vision for the future and ensure it is translated into actionable change.
The afternoon of 26 September at the European Sustainable Energy Week was thus dedicated to young people. Catch up on what took place at a series of panels expertly guided by Dylan Ahern.
SHARING VISIONS: THE POLICY DIALOGUE
First up, twelve young people from across Europe were invited to have an exchange with European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson. Download the "Overview and assessment" document of the Youth Policy Dialogue with Commissioner Simson:
Representatives from the European Youth Forum, European Youth Energy Network and Fridays for the Future, amongst others, demonstrated the power of including young people in high-level policy discussions and served as an example for future such initiatives.
Key takeaway:
‘Energy security is renewable energy. This is exactly what it means. It’s important that we are looking 10, 20, 30 years into the future.’ - Tobias Holle, Fridays for Future Germany
⚡️ Rewatch the Youth Policy Dialogue:
SHARING SOLUTIONS: LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE
The second half of the afternoon focused on raising the profile of actionable concrete solutions that will change tomorrow’s energy landscape. We heard from innovators at projects developing biomass fuel, energy communities and tidal energy about how their work will reshape the way we move around, and heat and power our homes and buildings.
Key takeaway:
‘Energy transition is no longer what we need: we need a fast transformation of our energy system’ - Roland Tual, Project Manager REScoopVPP
⚡️ Rewatch the session "How will our energy future look in 20 years?":
IN PICTURES
Check out the snapshots from the European Youth Energy Day and explore the ideas illustrated in the visual from our onsite artist Paule André, who throughout the afternoon translated bold ideas from our speakers into a unique memento.
Details
- Publication date
- 17 October 2022
- Author
- European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency