The United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport, from 2026 to 2035, is a critical move towards driving sustainable, accessible, and efficient transport systems.[1] It directly addresses the attainment of the SDGs by mitigating challenges such as climate change, urban congestion, and social disparities.[2]
It is critical to engage the youth in sustainable transport as the youth bring with them new ideas and energy to spark transformative change. Programmes like the Young Leaders in Sustainable Transport programme are one such example of empowering the youth, where their active role in shaping mobility solutions is solicited.[3] Through its emphasis on youth engagement, the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport will encourage a new generation of people to pursue a career in this field and keep the pipeline of talent engaged in developing sustainable and inclusive transport systems of the future.
Despite the growing awareness of the contribution of sustainable transport to solving climate change and social justice, youth are not yet well engaged in this area. The UN Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026-2035) aims to address climate and equity, but as of April 04, 2025, it’s still in its pre-launch phase, and youth-specific roles remain unclear.[4] Some of the main barriers include the invisible nature of career paths. Moreover, education and training gaps are youth participation barriers, with the majority of academic programs not fully integrating sustainable transport into their curricula, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).[5] Limited budgets and a lack of adequate funds for youth programs and startups also limit innovation and participation.
Additionally, youths are not adequately represented in decision-making processes, which hinder their ability to influence policies that will shape the future of mobility.[6] Without concrete mentorship programs, capacity development mechanisms, and organisational reinforcement, youth professionals’ potentials for providing lasting transport solutions remain untapped.
One of the solutions to recruit young people for careers in sustainable transport is increasing education and building capacity. Training in sustainable transport must be on offer at university levels, as well as organising internships, mentorship schemes, and fellowships through coordinated effort between government and the business community to make exposure and professional growth possible.
Funding and career paths establishment is also a very crucial factor. Scholarship and grants can reduce economic barriers for students pursuing degrees in sustainable transport. Incubation of startups can assist innovation, and governments and organisations need to have separate career development models, ensuring long-term prospects in the industry.
Innovation and digitalisation are also crucial in making the transport sector more appealing to technology-savvy youth. The integration of AI, IoT, and data analytics into sustainable transport initiatives can attract young professionals who are concerned about cutting-edge technologies. The advent of e-mobility, hydrogen transport, and smart infrastructure provides promising prospects for youth to spearhead the digitalisation of transport.[7]
Young people’s engagement in policy is also crucial. The establishment of youth advisory councils and increased youth participation at international fora like COP would give young people the power to leave their mark on transport policies. Empowering youth in sustainable transport is imperative in achieving the goals of the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport. By breaking barriers such as limited education, skills deficiencies, and lack of representation in decision-making, we can tap into the potential of young professionals. Actions such as empowering education, providing financing, fostering innovation, and increasing the role of youth in policy-making are instrumental in building a dynamic workforce. Providing young people with the skills, tools, and opportunities they need is not just about capacity development or inclusivity, it is the pathway to ensuring a safe and clean mobility for all now and in the future.[8]
[1] SLOCAT Partnership. (2024, August). Towards the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport: A thought paper on opportunities and priorities. https://slocat.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SLOCAT-Thought-Paper-Towards-the-UN-Decade-of-Sustainable-Transport.pdf
[2] United Nations. UN Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026-2035). Sustainable Development Goals. https://sdgs.un.org/un-decade-sustainable-transport-2026-2035
[3] SLOCAT Partnership. Young leaders in sustainable transport. https://slocat.net/youngleaders/
[4] United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (2024). Summary report on the global online stakeholder consultation for the Implementation Plan of the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026–2035). https://sdgs.un.org/sites/default/files/2024-10/Summary%20Report%20Stakeholder%20Consultation%20UN%20Decade%20of%20Sustainable%20Transport.pdf
[5] Porter, G., Turner, J., & Timpabi, A. (2019). Meeting young people’s mobility and transport needs: Review and prospect. Sustainability, 11(22), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11226393
[6] United Nations. (2020). World youth report: Youth and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. https://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/world-youth-report-2020.html
[7] SLOCAT Partnership. (2024, November 5). Towards the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport: Opportunities and priorities. https://slocat.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Towards-the-UN-Decade-of-Sustainable-Transport_5-Nov_final.pdf
[8] United Nations. (2023). Strengthening the links between all modes of transport to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (A/RES/78/148). United Nations General Assembly. https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/n23/404/47/pdf/n2340447.pdf