Empowering Middle East’s youth is key to climate resilience

Arid landscapes are not easy homes for rapidly growing urban centres. So cities across the Middle East are grappling with pressing environmental challenges, whether rising temperatures, water scarcity, or ecosystem degradation. All these factors add a further threat to the region’s long-term stability.

Yet a powerful force for change is emerging: the youth. Representing almost 30 per cent of the region’s population, young people are pioneering climate initiatives and championing sustainability. From sustainable farming to urban greening, their efforts reflect both creativity and adaptability, as noted in a 2022 United Nations forum.

In Lebanon, young innovators are developing portable solar energy solutions, such as the Solar Ray Amper project, to provide sustainable alternatives to traditional energy sources. In the United Arab Emirates, young advocates are driving sustainability efforts through initiatives including Masdar’s Youth 4 Sustainability program, which fosters innovation in energy-efficient technologies and sustainable urban development. Meanwhile, young people in Egypt, through the Shagrha initiative, are transforming urban spaces by planting fruit trees to combat rising temperatures and promote sustainability.

These efforts not only address localised climate issues but also contribute to broader regional transitions towards sustainability.

The regional impact of these initiatives underscores their interconnectedness. As climate change knows no borders, youth movements in one country often inspire similar actions elsewhere. This inclusive, cross-border approach is essential for addressing the shared climate challenges facing the region.

But enthusiasm alone cannot overcome all obstacles, with financial constraints being among the most pressing. According to the Arab Reform Initiative, grassroots environmental initiatives in the Middle East and North Africa region struggle to access funding compared to larger, more established projects, limiting their ability to scale up and achieve long-term impact.

Social and cultural factors also pose challenges. Traditional norms in parts of the Middle East, particularly those concerning gender roles, can discourage young people, especially women, from participating in climate advocacy. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) highlights that young people in the Arab States region, particularly young women, face additional barriers in climate advocacy, including societal restrictions and limited access to resources. These challenges hinder their full participation in environmental activism and decision-making. Moreover, inadequate climate education further limits youth involvement. Without access to comprehensive education on environmental issues, many young people lack the tools needed to engage effectively in climate action.

This was evident at the 2022 COP27 in Egypt, where Ahmad, a Beirut teacher, emphasised the lack of climate education in his community. Despite living with power shortages, his students had limited knowledge of climate change. After taking the initiative to teach them and organise a sustainability camp, Ahmad is now working with Teach For Lebanon to train educators and create a climate education module. However, broader support is still needed to fully integrate climate education into curricula, and COP28 the following year in the UAE offered a crucial opportunity for countries in the region to lead the way.

Renewed efforts are needed to harness the full potential of youth-led climate action. Governments, NGOs, and international organisations could intervene with support, including:

1. Funding and resources. Governments and international organisations should establish grant programs specifically for youth-led initiatives. These funds would enable young leaders to access essential resources, expand their projects, and implement scalable solutions. Partnerships with the private sector could further boost funding opportunities and foster innovation.
2. Climate education programs. Integrating climate science into education systems is essential for equipping young people with the knowledge to address environmental challenges. Schools and universities should prioritise curricula that blend theoretical understanding with practical applications, such as water-sensitive farming and textile waste reduction. Collaboration between youth organisations and educational institutions can also raise awareness about sustainability practices. As Tareq Hassan, head of Arab Youth Sustainable Development Network, aptly puts it, “The climate change pandemic is more deadly than wars.”
3. Youth representation in policymaking Governments must ensure that young voices are included in climate decision-making processes. Advisory councils and youth climate forums can provide platforms for young leaders to influence national policies. Their inclusion will lead to more inclusive and relevant strategies to combat climate change.
4. Strengthening networks and partnerships Building networks between youth organisations, NGOs, and policymakers can amplify the impact of climate initiatives. Regional cooperation – facilitating knowledge sharing and joint projects – is particularly crucial for addressing interconnected climate challenges across the region.

Supporting youth-led initiatives is not just an investment in the region’s future – it is a critical step towards a sustainable and climate-resilient Middle East.