Energy transition is one of the pressing issues of our era, and young people in this scenario are crucial stakeholders. Across bustling be cities and quiet villages, a quiet revolution is underway, and its spark comes not from fossil fuels, but from the sun, the wind, and young, innovative minds. 1
The region of Asia-Pacific is home to over 60 per cent of the world’s population, and about 60 per cent of the youth population. Like in every other region, young people are central to driving a just energy transition, as they are both major stakeholders in energy demand in future and powerful agents of change. Through their skills of innovation, entrepreneurship, research, and advocacy, youth are introducing and advancing renewable technologies, influencing policy, and pushing for climate justice and social equity.
While they are building global networks and creating new economic opportunities, many young people still face barriers such as limited access to funding and platforms. Empowering youth with skills, resources, and opportunities is essential to achieving a fair and sustainable energy future. 1
The Global Clean Energy Boom
Clean energy is tightening its grip on new power generation worldwide. In 2024, renewable sources, including solar, wind, hydropower and geothermal, accounted for more than 90 percent of all new electricity capacity added globally, underscoring the rapid momentum behind zero-emission technologies. 3
Despite this surge, fossil fuels continue to dominate energy consumption, with global use not only persisting but rising. The clean energy transition is increasingly colliding with geopolitical instability and volatile markets, which are reshaping overall trade relationships and straining international cooperation.
At the same time, several countries are scaling back climate commitments even as electricity demand accelerates, placing added stress on power grids and complicating efforts to retire coal, oil and gas.
South Asia relies particularly on imports for nearly two-thirds of its energy, and fossil fuels make up around 80 percent of its energy mix. With the region expected to add about 600 million people over the next three decades, energy demand is poised to surge dramatically, building pressure on the economy and intensifying the challenge of balancing energy security with the pursuit of green transition policies needed to protect the planet. 2
The central challenge facing policymakers is how to meet rapidly growing energy demand while expanding clean power and phasing out fossil fuels. Experts say the transition remains achievable, pointing to the potential for a future powered by clean, affordable and reliable energy, provided governments act to close critical gaps in financing, policy frameworks and infrastructure. 3
In South Asia, solar power output has doubled in just three years, delivering more than 2,000 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2024. Wind energy continued its upward trajectory, supplying 8.1 percent of global electricity, while hydropower, the world’s largest single renewable source, held steady at 14 percent of total generation.
“Solar power has become the driving force of the global energy transition,” said Phil MacDonald, managing director of Ember. “When combined with battery storage, solar is emerging as an unstoppable solution. As both the fastest-growing and the largest source of new electricity, it is essential to meet the world’s rapidly rising power demand.” He added that young people are playing a critical role in accelerating this shift through innovation, entrepreneurship, research, and grassroots advocacy that is pushing governments and industries to move faster toward clean energy.
These findings are detailed in Ember’s sixth annual Global Electricity Review. The report offers the first comprehensive picture of the global power system in 2024 using country-level data. It is published alongside the world’s first open dataset on electricity generation for 2024, covering 88 countries responsible for 93 percent of global electricity demand, as well as historical data spanning 215 countries. 4
Youth in South Asia: Powering Change at Home
Young people are increasingly confronting global challenges with creativity and innovation. They are engagingly bringing fresh ideas, shaping the futures they envision, and driving human development for themselves, their communities, and wider society.
The Asia–Pacific region is home to more than 660 million young people aged 15 to 24, many of whom are coming of age amid overlapping crises. The impacts of climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing economic instability have deepened existing challenges to the extent of placing intense pressure on this generation. Nearly 63 percent of people across Asia and the Pacific view climate change as a major global emergency and are calling for stronger action from their leaders. At the same time, civic space across the region continues to narrow, with new restrictions introduced over the past five years limiting public participation and youth engagement.
These pressures are compounded by persistent inequalities. Women and girls, rural communities, Indigenous peoples, ethnic and linguistic minorities, persons with disabilities, migrants, gender and sexual minorities, young people, and older persons are disproportionately represented among those being left behind, underscoring the need for more inclusive and equitable development pathways. 5
Building Resilience in Climate Hotspots across South Asia
Located between the fragile ecosystems of the Himalayas and the Indian Ocean, South Asia ranks among the most climate-vulnerable regions in the world. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report, extreme weather events pose the greatest threat to the region over the coming decade.
While international policymakers continue negotiations on emissions and climate targets, young leaders across South Asia are taking decisive action at the grassroots level.
In Bangladesh, members of the Dhaka Hub of Global Shapers launched Treelionaire, an ambitious reforestation campaign aimed at restoring green cover in their city. What began as a local initiative has since expanded into a regional movement spanning 27 cities across South Asia, with more than 10,000 trees planted to date.
Meanwhile, in Pakistan, the Peshawar Hub is advancing climate awareness through innovation and technology. Their project, ClimaSynth, translates complex climate data into accessible knowledge through an AI-powered chatbot, a carbon footprint calculator and interactive educational tools. With plans to scale across the region within the next three years, the initiative seeks to empower thousands with the knowledge and tools needed to take meaningful climate action.
“We’re not just raising awareness, we’re equipping people to act,” said Ubaid Ullah, a member of the project team who also serves at Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination.
Together, these youth-led initiatives demonstrate how localised efforts can evolve into scalable, regional solutions, proving that South Asia’s young change makers are not merely responding to the climate crisis but actively shaping resilient futures. 6
Pakistan: Solar in the Fast Lane
Pakistan’s rapid solar adoption emerged from a “perfect storm” of economic pressure and market opportunities. On the demand side, electricity tariffs surged by 155% in just three years, making grid power increasingly unaffordable for households and industries. The withdrawal of subsidies, rising global fuel prices, fixed payments to underutilised fossil-fuel plants and the broader economic crisis further elevated the costs. In agriculture, the removal of diesel subsidies pushed farmers toward solar-powered alternatives.
On the supply side, global solar panel prices fell nearly 50% due to Chinese overproduction, while Pakistan waived duties and sales taxes on solar PV imports until mid-2025. Supportive policies, including favourable net-metering, off-grid solar subsidies and incentives for utility-scale projects, have also added momentum. Between 2019 and 2025, solar panel imports exceeded the country’s total installed power capacity by 2 GW. However, only 0.7 GW was utility-scale and grid-connected, highlighting a significant shift toward small, distributed rooftop systems whose full scale remains difficult to quantify. 7
Bangladesh: Innovation with a Twist
Driven by a vision for sustainable innovation, Abdullah Al Araf, Johora Gulshan Ara and Rahat Uddin from Bangladesh launched the BD Highway Turbine project, an inventive solution that harnesses wind generated by fast-moving vehicles on highways to produce clean, renewable energy. Their intelligent vertical-axis wind turbine is designed to convert highways and coastal corridors into energy-producing zones, offering a low-impact and environmentally friendly alternative power source.
Their breakthrough came in 2023, when nearly 40,000 young innovators applied to GenU’s imaGen Ventures programme, delivered in partnership with Accenture, UNDP, Scouts, Plan International and USAID. In its fourth edition, 10 winning teams were selected to receive funding, mentorship, incubation and technical support to scale their ideas. For the BD Highway Turbine team, the experience proved transformative.
Through intensive boot camps and expert guidance, they strengthened their skills in leadership, communication and teamwork. “Learning effective project management was critical for setting clear goals and navigating challenges,” Rahat shared, while Johora highlighted how the programme enhanced their overall strategic capacity. 8
Since winning, the team has gained recognition both nationally and internationally. “The validation we received through the programme elevated the visibility and credibility of our project within government and non-government circles,” said Johora. They have since secured a grant from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Power, Energy & Mineral Resources and showcased their innovation at major national and global exhibitions.
Abdullah also spoke at the Bangladesh Business Innovation Summit 2023, sharing their entrepreneurial journey, and their team represented Bangladesh at an international youth startup exhibition organised by the Club of Young Industrialists and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia, further expanding their global network and impact. 8
India: Skills, Startups, and Solar Technicians
Across India, governments and private organisations are training thousands of young people in renewable energy trades. Solar photovoltaic (PV) technicians, wind turbine technicians, and electrical installers are finding steady work, some as employees, and others launching small businesses. In one state initiative, more than 900 rural youth trained in solar tech found jobs or started green enterprises, turning local knowledge into income.
India’s push to strengthen domestic manufacturing is facing setbacks in the solar sector, where limited government funding and a shortage of skilled workers are halting the progress and putting clean energy targets at risk, according to industry leaders. Manufacturers of solar panels, solar cells and storage batteries report rising costs and project delays.
This is raising multiple concerns about India’s ability to cut emissions and meet its global climate commitments. The challenges also highlight gaps in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” initiative, which aims to boost 15 key industries, including renewable energy and electronics, and position India as a global manufacturing hub.
To support local production, the government has imposed tariffs of 40% on Chinese solar panels and 25% on solar cells, alongside allocating roughly $3 billion in production-linked incentives. These measures are part of India’s broader goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.
However, industry experts argue that significantly greater investment and stronger workforce training programmes are needed if India is to meet its target of adding 50 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel capacity each year and reaching 500 gigawatts by 2030. 9
As the global fight against climate change intensifies, the renewable energy sector is expanding at an unprecedented pace. Energy systems worldwide are steadily shifting toward cleaner sources such as solar, wind, and battery storage, a transition that not only reduces carbon emissions but also opens vast employment opportunities.
However, this rapid growth has exposed a major challenge: a shortage of skilled professionals capable of meeting the sector’s evolving demands. Bridging this gap is essential not only for job creation but also for accelerating the green transition.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the global energy transition could generate up to 42 million jobs by 2050. In India, the target of achieving 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030 is expected to require more than one million skilled workers. Yet, the supply of trained engineers, technicians and sustainability experts is struggling to keep pace.
Several factors are driving the surge in talent demand. Technological advancements, including AI-enabled energy management systems and advanced battery storage, require specialised expertise. Government incentives and policy support for renewable projects are further increasing workforce needs. Additionally, international climate commitments, such as India’s net-zero emissions goal by 2070, are accelerating investments in green energy infrastructure.
Despite these drivers, critical roles in solar installation, wind turbine maintenance and green hydrogen production remain difficult to fill.
Addressing the skills gap calls for coordinated efforts between governments, industry and educational institutions. Stronger industry-academia collaboration can help develop specialised curricula aligned with market needs, while internships and apprenticeships can provide hands-on training. Governments, meanwhile, can scale up skill development initiatives, such as India’s Skill Council for Green Jobs and offer incentives or subsidies to encourage professionals to pursue careers in renewable energy.
Closing the talent gap will be a key to sustaining the momentum of the global clean energy transition and ensuring that climate goals translate into tangible progress. 10
Beyond South Asia: Young Innovators Making Waves
South Asia is part of a global tapestry of youth leaders in clean energy. In Africa, young apprentices trained in solar installation are powering villages and building careers in renewable tech. Likewise, in Egypt, teenagers transform agricultural waste into clean fuels, reducing pollution and creating new income streams.
New opportunities for youth, by youth
In South Asia, youth unemployment and disengagement remain pressing challenges. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), nearly one in four young people in the region falls into the category of ‘NEET,’ not in education, employment or training, highlighting a significant portion of youth cut off from meaningful opportunities and economic participation.
In response, the Ahmedabad Hub launched Project Accelerate: Skills, Set, Go, an initiative designed to bridge the widening gap between education and employability. Acknowledging that formal degrees alone are no longer enough to succeed in today’s fast-evolving job market, the programme focuses on equipping young people with practical, 21st-century, and future-ready skills that enhance their career prospects. “We started this initiative with a simple belief, talent is universal, but opportunity is not,” said Krunal Shah, a member of the project team. 11
In collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), IBM and the United States Department of State, the Hub developed structured training modules, certification programmes and strategic partnerships to expand its reach and impact. The initiative combines technical skills development with career guidance, helping participants gain both competence and confidence. “Young people who participated began to not only dream again but also act. They were getting jobs, internships and a renewed sense of direction,” Shah added.
To date, Project Accelerate has provided over 230,000 young people with industry-relevant skills and supported more than 700 individuals in securing employment, demonstrating how youth-led solutions can create tangible pathways to opportunity. 11
Why It Matters?
Economists and climate experts increasingly recognise clean energy as one of the fastest-growing and most resilient employment sectors worldwide. As countries accelerate their transition away from fossil fuels, investments in solar, wind, hydropower, green hydrogen and battery storage are generating millions of new jobs across the value chain, from manufacturing and installation to research, maintenance and digital energy management.
Unlike many traditional industries that are vulnerable to automation or resource depletion, the renewable energy sector is built around innovation, sustainability and long-term growth.
Beyond its environmental benefits, the clean energy transition offers a powerful economic lifeline, particularly in regions where conventional job markets are shrinking or unable to absorb growing youth populations. Large-scale solar parks, decentralised rooftop systems, wind farms and community-based energy projects create opportunities not only for engineers and scientists but also for technicians, project managers, data analysts, entrepreneurs and skilled tradespeople. In rural and underserved areas, renewable energy initiatives can stimulate local economies by generating employment close to home, reducing migration pressures and fostering inclusive growth.
For many young people, entering the clean energy workforce represents more than financial stability. It provides a sense of agency and alignment with global climate action. A career in renewables allows youth to contribute directly to solving one of the defining challenges of their generation. Instead of viewing climate change solely as a crisis, they become active participants in building solutions, designing smarter grids, installing solar panels on community schools, maintaining wind turbines or developing innovative storage technologies.
In this way, clean energy jobs offer not just a paycheck but a purpose-driven pathway. They connect personal ambition with planetary well-being, enabling young professionals to shape a future that is both economically secure and environmentally responsible.
Challenges Remain!
Despite its promise, the clean energy transition is not without complications. The rapid expansion of large-scale renewable projects has, in some cases, exposed gaps in labour protections, wage standards and workplace safety. Contract-based employment, informal hiring practices and inconsistent enforcement of labour laws have raised concerns about job security and fair compensation. In certain regions, communities have also voiced concerns about land use, displacement and unequal distribution of project benefits.
These issues underscore an important reality: a green transition must also be a just transition. Creating renewable energy infrastructure is not enough; it must be accompanied by policies that safeguard workers’ rights, ensure safe working conditions and promote equitable opportunities. Without proper oversight, the sector risks replicating some of the same inequalities found in traditional energy industries.
However, these challenges also present a crucial opportunity. With stronger regulatory frameworks, transparent labour standards and targeted skill development programmes, the renewable energy sector can set a new benchmark for inclusive and dignified employment. Investments in vocational training, certification systems and worker protections can professionalise the industry while improving job quality. Public-private partnerships can further ensure that local communities benefit directly through employment, entrepreneurship and shared ownership models.
If supported by thoughtful policies and sustained investment, clean energy has the potential to deliver not only economic growth but also environmental justice, powered by a generation of skilled, empowered young people who are capable of building a more equitable, reliable, and sustainable future.
References:
- Youth for energy transition: The power of the next generation in shaping a sustainable energy future | ESCAP
- South Asia: Navigating Green Energy Transitions, Together
- Global Energy Trends: Clean Energy Growth and Rising Demand | World Resources Institute
- World surges past 40% clean power in record renewables boom | Electrek
- Youth Empowerment in Asia and the Pacific | United Nations Development Programme
- See how South Asia’s youth is rewriting its growth story | World Economic Forum
- The Perfect Storm Fueling Pakistan’s Solar Boom | World Resources Institute
- Young Entrepreneurs from Bangladesh Advancing Sustainability by Transforming Wind into Power | Generation Unlimited
- Skills shortage hobbles India’s clean energy aspirations – South Asia Times
- Bridging the Skills Gap: Upskilling Talent for the Renewable Energy Sector – IndiHire
- See how South Asia’s youth is rewriting its growth story | World Economic Forum
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Muniba Usman is a high school teacher and teaching trainer by profession. She has a BS (HONS) in Microbiology and a diploma in Textile and Fashion design. She has a strong passion for research, arts, reading and writing. She has written many scientific articles and fiction stories for children.
