A new generation of energy professionals powers the net-zero transition in Europe

The European Sustainable Energy Week 2024 (EUSEW), the biggest annual conference on sustainability and efficient energy use in Europe, has come to an end, and we are now ready to reflect on the unique insights gathered from another successful week.

A huge part of this success is owed to the presence of the Young Energy Ambassadors, a dedicated programme for youth comprising 30 individuals aged 18-34 from across Europe, whose skills and experience are set to transform the energy landscape, as Europe heads towards its net-zero goals. The 2024 cohort was celebrated at the Awards ceremony on 11 June, with honourable mentions of the group’s work on a collective and individual level.

During the EUSEW 2024 closing session on 13 June, Executive Vice-President in charge of the European Green Deal Maroš Šefčovič and Young Energy Ambassadors Gustė Gurčinaitė, Nelson Luis, Alexandru Muresan and Agnieszka Szostok reflected on key takeaways from the week and exchanged views on the European clean energy transition. The Young Energy Ambassadors also shared recommendations on how the Commission can best navigate the new energy era, focusing on the successful implementation of the Green Deal.

Intergenerational dialogue towards a greener Europe

The European Youth Energy Day (EYED) is organised every year as part of EUSEW’s Policy Conference, giving the young generation the opportunity to participate in debates on Europe’s sustainable energy transition and make their voices heard.

EYED led a key EUSEW session on 11 June, where both young and old explored challenges from their own perspectives.

The session ‘Where generations meet to power the future’ began with speeches by Alan AtKisson, executive secretary and chief executive officer of Global Water Partnership, and Margarita Samsonova, founder of Behind the Greens. The two speakers then joined a panel together with Ditte Juul Jørgensen, Director-General for Energy at the European Commission, and Marco Gervasi, Young Energy Ambassador and board member of the European Youth Energy Network.

Cross-generational learning and cooperation were at the heart of the session’s discussions. The consensus was that both generations have a lot to learn from one another and that success hinges on interconnectedness, which is the key to a true and just green transition.

Ditte Juul Jørgensen offered her advice to the young people who doubt whether their actions or vote can make a difference: ‘Keep your voice clear and share your thoughts, your ideas, because clearly you make a contribution by doing all of that. We need to also listen to those who challenge our beliefs and who help push us towards solutions.’

All in all, the message is clear: our fates are intertwined intergenerationally, and that in itself is a great source of hope. 

Do you want to find out more about the 2024 Young Energy Ambassadors cohort and their work? Watch this video. 

Check out more EUSEW 2024 highlights here.

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