According to research results presented by Nenad Spasojević from the Center for Policy and Strategy Creation, as much as 69% of young people believe that fossil fuels are one of the main sources and causes of environmental pollution.
Danijela Isailović, manager of the Renewable Energy Association of Serbia, emphasized that public opinion has significantly improved in recent years, with the education of young people through workshops and informational campaigns playing a key role in changing attitudes. She also pointed out that Serbia has great potential in renewable energy, but more investment is needed in this sector. Gligo Vuković, project manager of the EU Delegation in Serbia, highlighted that the key topics of the event were young people, their knowledge, opinions, and expectations. He stressed the importance of involving young people in processes that shape the future of the country, with a particular focus on climate change and the sustainable energy transition.
Young people must be informed and educated in order to make thoughtful decisions about education that will prepare them for new challenges, including the green transition. The better they understand the issues of climate change and the transition, the greater their chances of engaging in projects and innovations that enable sustainable development, added Vuković, reminding that the European Union is investing significant funds in Serbia to support green projects, contributing to strengthening energy efficiency.
Jovana Joksimović, Assistant Minister of Mining and Energy for International Cooperation and European Integration, reminded the audience of the Ministry’s projects in the energy transition sector, such as auctions that will bring hundreds of new green megawatts to the grid, 1 GW of solar power plants, Kostolac wind farms, RHE Bistrica, and more. In addition to the assistant minister, the panel included Tea Požar, environmental specialist at New Energy Solutions, and Danijela Isailović, manager of the Renewable Energy Association of Serbia. The panel was moderated by Marija Dedić from the Center for Circular Economy Promotion. During the panel, the participants discussed the important role of young people in the transition to renewable energy sources (RES) and their contribution to combating climate change. Panel participants agreed that the energy transition represents an opportunity for young people to recognize new career opportunities in the RES sector, which, according to EU estimates, will generate 3.5 million jobs by 2030.
The panel concluded with the message that it is crucial to continue informing and educating young people, who have recognized the importance of the green transition and are ready to contribute to sustainable development through their daily habits and future careers in the renewable energy sector.
The event also included a workshop and presentation of research on young people’s attitudes towards climate change and the energy transition, carried out within the project “Raising Awareness of Climate Change and the Green Transition” under the SAFE Nature and Climate 2022-2025 program.
The research also addressed the perception of the potential of renewable energy sources (RES) in Serbia. Solar systems dominated as the most promising source, while opinions about wind farms were divided, with a significant number of young people taking a neutral stance on their land impact. However, most young people have a positive outlook on the further development of RES, considering them to provide numerous opportunities and to be an inevitable future in the context of sustainable development.
