How can we tap into the passion of younger generations to achieve a more sustainable future?

New research by Junior Achievement and the EY organization shows that younger generations are more aware of, and educated about, global and local sustainability topics than older generations, yet less optimistic about the future of the planet. What role can skills play?

The global transition toward a sustainable future requires investment on an unprecedented scale. According to Bloomberg NEF’s New Energy Outlook 2021, £173 trillion in investment is needed to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

We will only succeed in building a more sustainable future if we involve many parts of society in a joint effort to combat climate change. For example, we need governments to devise new policy frameworks and incentive schemes (with the US Inflation Reduction Act being a recent example). We also need businesses to transform their business models toward more sustainable practices, and consumers to change their mindsets and their behaviors. Importantly, we all need the skills to play our own role in driving positive change.

Today many of us already feel extremely passionately about social and environmental issues. Nevertheless, I strongly believe there’s even more that we, as business leaders, can do to include a broader range of society – especially younger generations – in the fight to protect our planet for generations to come.

Engaging with Gen Z and Gen Alpha

Recently published research, entitled How can we empower the next generations to build a more sustainable future provides interesting insights on the issues.  The research was conducted by the EY organization and non-profit youth organization Junior Achievement Worldwide (JA). It highlighted that while Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2007) and Gen Alpha (born after 2007), have a deep knowledge of sustainability issues, they are hungry for more sustainability-related information and content. In fact, just 56% of Gen Alpha and 45% of Gen Z were satisfied with the sustainability education they received at school.

This desire for more education on sustainability matters presents a huge opportunity for education institutions. The survey found that only 56% of Gen Alpha and 45% of Gen Z were satisfied with the sustainability education they received in school. The result findings chart a path forward for organizations, both academic and business – to help close gaps in education and engagement with younger generations on sustainability and environmental issues. This would enable Gen Z and Gen Alpha to respond to their mounting concerns and empower them to take real action.

According to the survey, at least 39% of students within each generation say they are not learning about one of the United Nations’ environmental Sustainable Development Goals. Businesses, along with governments, universities, and NGOs, should take steps to emphasize sustainability basics as a key aspect of the overall education curriculum, not least as a route to attract and develop talent.

They can launch employee development programs that enable their people to develop sustainability-oriented attitudes, mindsets and skills. They can also introduce volunteering programs that help to engage and educate their people while simultaneously boosting the social and environmental resilience of the communities where their people live and work.

We have a focus on helping people in the EY organization develop the sustainability skills we know are vital for the future. Regardless of rank, tenure or location, they all have the opportunity to study for a Master’s in Sustainability, run in association with Hult International Business School. We also operate the EY Badges scheme that enables EY  people to earn digital badges in future-focused skills, including sustainability, and we help integrate sustainability issues into our job-specific learning curricula.

We have found that it is critical for our businesses that we provide learning opportunities that build awareness. We need people who have a deep background in sustainability and climate and who can help others to understand how sustainability applies to their specific roles.

Plugging the sustainability skills gap

Today we have a worrying gap in sustainability skills. The fact is, sustainability should be integrated into every job, and everyone within in an organization should be equipped with applicable sustainability skills.

To deepen their talent pools, businesses could launch programs that upskill people from underrepresented groups, perhaps through public-private partnerships. Not only will this given them a broader skills base to draw on, it will bring benefit society overall by helping to ensure that people in certain communities don’t get ‘left behind’ as we transition to a more sustainable world.

We understand the long-term value of engaging with underrepresented groups. That’s why EY teams helped develop the EY STEM App as part of EY Ripples program. The app aims to inspire girls aged between 13 and 18 to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Among other topics, the app includes content on climate change, with the aim of helping more women to become leaders and change-makers in relation to sustainability. This is vital since women tend to be disproportionately affected by climate change and other social and environmental issues. 

Seize the opportunity

As the future of the workforce, and the future of the consumer base, Gen Z and Gen Alpha are extremely important stakeholders in the transition to a more sustainable world.

Younger generations also increasingly look to businesses to not only advocate, but make a real difference. Gen Alpha and Gen Z expect to work for – and purchase from – businesses that share their values, and they’re eager for critical sustainability information and direction from the brands they trust, and for transparent efforts to be made to reduce the price tag on a sustainable lifestyle. Prioritizing these types of efforts will enable organizations to attract talent that is focused on the future of the planet.

It’s essential that the voices of Gen Alpha and Gen Z are heard, and that they are invited to help inform the action plans, strategies and targets that will enable us to achieve the ultimate goal. We have no chance of achieving a more sustainable future without tapping into the enthusiasm, ideas and purpose of the youngest generations on Earth.

The views reflected in this article are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the global EY organization or its member firms.