The Co-op Foundation
Understanding the younger generation’s attitudes towards Net Zero and the concept of a ‘just transition’
Challenge
As part of their commitment to building a fairer world, and in response to a growing interest in climate justice, The Co-op Foundation, in partnership with Co-op, commissioned Basis Social and creative agency Livity to engage with a cross-section of 16 to 24 year olds to understand more about the younger generation’s attitudes towards Net Zero and the concept of a ‘just transition’. Just transition refers to the actions that UK society should undertake when implementing carbon emission reduction measures, ensuring fairness and equity for all.
Approach
We used a four-phased mixed methods approach, working in close consultation with the Co-op Foundation team throughout.
First, we conducted a rapid evidence review into the net zero pathway identifying, actions, impacts, opportunities, and perspectives on the just transition. This was followed up with interviews with 10 leading academics and experts on climate change and views on a just transition, which informed stimulus development. We partnered with a leading Tik Tok influencer to bring to life key areas of the net zero plan to engage young people with the issue.
Second was a qualitative phase which involved 44 young people aged between 16 and 24 years joining a week-long online community to share their views on priority Net Zero actions. This approach encouraged discussion and debate amongst the young people in an environment familiar to them. The community included representation from all UK nations including rural and urban areas.
In the third phase, we tested views emerging from the online community with a nationally representative sample of 1032 young people living in the UK.
The final phase saw us involving research participants in the analysis and reporting process to validate the interpretation of our findings. Two online focus groups comprising 16 young people were recruited from the online community for this purpose.
Impact
The research presents a positive story. It tells us that whilst young people may be coming from a relatively low knowledge base, they want to learn more and see their generation as having a critical role to play in meeting Net Zero. It offers a number of key messages for policymakers going forward.
Knowledge is power.
Young individuals from across communities are eager to learn more about the UK's Net Zero plans and actively participate in the decision-making process. This calls for a coordinated approach to knowledge sharing through both formal and informal educational settings.
Be honest about the challenges and trade-offs, whilst presenting the positives.
Young people accept they have a role to play in supporting the pathway to Net Zero and are willing to adapt their lifestyles. But they have concerns, especially where policies come at the expense of baseline needs or freedom and choice. They expect policy makers to be transparent with them about the trade-offs.
Fairness is key.
The most significant concern shared by young people across the research regarding a just transition, is the impact of meeting Net Zero on income inequality. There is concern that the plan could further divide the rich and poor in society, especially relevant given the current cost-of-living crisis.
Government and business need to lead from the front.
Young people want the Government to intervene to ensure that Net Zero is affordable to all. Participants saw Government’s role as providing subsidies or exerting pressure on businesses to reduce prices, enabling people to afford to make the necessary changes.
Young people’s views should be accounted for while devising policies.
Young people strongly believe that the views of their generation should influence Net Zero decision making. Despite their enthusiasm to engage in the debate, young people don’t feel confident their views will be heard.
Politicians need to build young people’s trust in politics.
To establish trust, policymakers need to display genuine interest in young people’s viewpoints; it can’t feel tokenistic. This means offering different ways for young people of all backgrounds to have their voices meaningfully heard. It also means ensuring a constant feedback loop so they can see how their involvement is genuinely influencing policy.
The research findings were presented through a video showcasing the views of the young people who participated in the online community, in party conferences held at Manchester and Liverpool in October 2023. In attendance at the conferences were the Co-op Foundation, Basis Social and participants chosen from the online community as representatives of the young people involved in the research. Read the full report here.
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