The Role of Colombian Youth Researchers in Crafting Equitable Post-Fossil Futures

This presentation by Nadia Combariza, co-executive director of POL.EN Transiciones Justas, was part of the Expert Exchange "Youth Empowerment for a Just Energy Transition" held on June 18, 2024.

1. The Role of Colombian Youth Researchers in Crafting Equitable Post-Fossil Futures Bogotá, Jun 18th 2024

2. Colombian context Colombia is highly economically dependent on fossil fuels. The global energy transition has far-reaching socio-economic effects Fossil fuels : 55% of total exports Oil rents : 4% of GDP Others : 45% of total exports Not only the employees in fossil fuel companies are affected. Data for 2021 The energy transition in Colombia, before being a transition in the domestic use of fossil fuels, is a transition of the entire economy.

3. Directly affected: Company workers who lose their jobs Dependents of those directly affected: Their families Indirectly affected in the area: - Communities in the area, - Environmental restoration (to promote other activities) The excluded: Opportunities for those who could never access a job / Benefits Indirect effects outside the area: Local, regional and national economic dependency Reactive to future injustices Existing injustices No repetition Who is affected by the transition? Avoid new “sacrifice” zones: Critical minerals, Renewables, Hydrogen New generations play a key role!

4. However, being an environmental leader is not easy, especially at the local level.

5. However , as of 2022, Colombia has the first government with an agenda beyond fossil fuels . How to bring the knowledge of the territories to policy viable proposals for a just energy transition ?

6. Recommendations and advocacy: Pathways for just transitions Decision-makers Policy Politics Civil society Social dialogues “Translation” of policies for non-specialized public Training of trainers - Provision of technical, economic, legal and environmental expertise Mision : Promoting a more equitable, democratic and climate change resilient society, with energy systems serving as means for this transformation

7. Each project: A Senior researcher as project leader aprox . 10 years of experiences 2-3 junior researchers Fresh graduates to max. 5 years of experience. Consultants : At least 5 years experience in the topic. Interns (undergraduate students and young professionals who want to work on the topic for the first time) and our administrative and communication support team Labor and economic reorientation Fossil fuels phase-out Energy democratization Current team 21 team members between 19-37 years old. *women (12, 57%) *people from regions affected by the transition (5, 24%)

8. Ideas, Narratives & Discourse Policy Process Policy iniciative Context Outcomes Power Dynamics how do we approach the development of energy policies? Communications Social media Diagnosis Policy briefs Reports social dialogues, comments to policy drafts pilots to identify bottlenecks impact analysis and feedback

9. Translation of energy policies for nonspecialized public

10. Trainings on Just energy transition

11. Pilot: e- rutality

12. Main take aways Young minds are key for thinking about and building post-fossil alternatives in a country economically dependent on fossil fuels. Translating disruptive ideas into feasible policy proposals that can be taken up by decision-makers requires guidance, accuracy and attention to detail. For us, as a young (and mostly female) team, it is much harder to stand out and be recognized as a legitimate voice in energy & climate debates. Civil society organizations will not be able to compete in salaries with fossil fuels companies, so our passion and principles are central drivers in every action.

13. www.polentj.org [email protected] POLEN transiciones Justas @ polentjcol @ polentjcol

14. Beyond Rhetoric: Youth-led Solutions for a Sustainable and Just Energy Transition in Developing Nations Edwin Hlangwani, MSc. (UJ), Ph.D. (candidate – UJ) Researcher and Lecturer| Chairperson Elect - IFTSA & Mars Product Development Competition| BRICS Young Scientist| BRICS Youth Energy Agency| IEEE YP Climate Sustainability Task Force ECM| African Union Award Winner| St. Gallen Symposium Leader of Tomorrow| GESS Alumni|

15. The Changing Energy Landscape: Good News or Bad News for Countries such as South Africa? There is a difference of opinion on the just energy transition in South Africa The big question is “How can we abandon coal when we struggle with consistent power supply?” Major concerns include lack of infrastructure and technical expertise, job losses (mine workers), corruption (misuse of investment funds), political pressure Despite these challenges, the JET presents opportunities (e.g., climate mitigation, creation of green jobs, diverse energy mix, technological innovation) for South Africa

16. The Youth as Catalysts of a Successful Just Energy Transition

17. Enablers – Support for the Youth in Renewable Energy

18. Youth-led Solutions: Some Success Stories Solaris (Nigeria) – design and deploy micro-solar solutions to households and businesses in rural and peri-urban communities Kudoti (South Africa) – a digital platform that tracks, traces and measures all waste products of an organisation Green Dreams (Kenya) – builds and installs biogas digesters for rural communities to use Ghana Bamboo Bike Initiative (Ghana) – designs and builds a range of bamboo bicycles/ frames

19. Take-home Messages Young people are central to achieving the Just Energy Transition in any given country, especially developing ones There is a track record of successful youth-led green initiatives in line with this global objective – so, give young people a chance However, this success requires financial, technical and stakeholder support