Joburg Prioritises Youth-led Green Solutions for Sustainable Urban Future

The City of Johannesburg’s Department of Economic Development (DED) is intensifying its focus on empowering youth-led green initiatives, a strategic move aimed at confronting the multifaceted sustainability challenges facing the metropolis.

Executive Director Mathopane Masha emphasised the pivotal role of young people in forging a resilient, inclusive, and environmentally sound future for the City.

“We face significant challenges, many of them environmental, and we cannot overcome them without the participation and innovation of young people,” Masha stated at a recent Green Economy Youth Pre-Conference & Green Jobs event held in Johannesburg.

The event, a collaborative effort with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and other key partners, served as a dynamic platform to galvanise a youth-led transition towards a green economy. Discussions consistently emphasised the development of tangible, scalable solutions that simultaneously address environmental priorities and stimulate job creation.

Masha acknowledged the critical nature of these engagements. “These conversations are vital as we navigate the complex balance between environmental sustainability and job creation,” he remarked.

“That balance has proven tricky, which is why many of our sustainability efforts are now embedded in our policies and legislation.”

Lyndon Barons, Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships at Arena Holdings, echoed the urgency for youth involvement, asserting, “This pre-conference should be a platform where ideas flourish, collaborations spark, and real solutions emerge. We need the energy, passion, and innovative thinking of young people. You are not just the leaders of tomorrow; you are the change-makers of today.”

Adding a continental dimension, Moeketsi Koahela, Co-Chair of Y20 South Africa, reiterated the pressing need for a just transition to a green economy. “The future green economy cannot wait. Through Y20, we have already begun formal negotiations advocating for sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, climate adaptation, and ecosystem conservation,” Koahela confirmed. He further called for inclusive dialogue on Africa’s shift from coal dependence to renewable energy, aligning these efforts with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which champions solidarity, equality, and sustainability.

A key highlight of the event was a high-level panel discussion titled “From Talk to Tactics: Making Cities Work for Youth,” expertly moderated by Nkhensani Maluleke, Deputy Director in the City’s Economic Development Department. The discussion featured robust contributions from institutions such as the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO), ICLEI Africa, Whoppa Cycles, and the African Circular Economy Network (ACEN). Each participant offered practical insights, shared lived experiences, and proposed policy-focused strategies designed to enable youth-led urban transformation, collectively reaffirming a commitment to inclusive and sustainable city development.

The Pre-Conference facilitated high-level engagements, co-design laboratories, and World Café sessions, all structured to generate actionable projects, identify viable funding pathways, and forge strategic partnerships. The collective outcomes from these sessions are intended to inform and shape future initiatives, including the overarching Green Economy Youth Conference & Green Jobs Expo.

The City remains dedicated to collaborating with stakeholders across all sectors, ensuring young people are at the vanguard of driving sustainable economic growth and advancing environmental resilience within Johannesburg and broader African contexts.