Young Indians aren't waiting for permission to shape climate policy—they're rewriting it from the ground up. In a country where 65% of the population is under 35, their voices are becoming impossible to ignore.
Social entrepreneur Anshul Tewari is leading a movement that places youth at the centre of climate governance. Through initiatives that combine listening with action, he and his peers are demonstrating that when young people have a real seat at the table, policy becomes more ambitious, more inclusive, and more urgent.
India is the world's most populous nation and the third-largest carbon emitter. Its young population—the largest of any country—stands to inherit the worst impacts of climate change: extreme heat, water scarcity, and disrupted agriculture. Yet until recently, policy decisions were largely made by older generations. Tewari's work flips that script.
His approach is deceptively simple: listen first. By creating platforms where young Indians can share their lived experiences and propose solutions, Tewari has helped channel grassroots energy into tangible policy proposals. One of his flagship programs brings together students, farmers, and young professionals to co-design local climate action plans. These plans have already influenced municipal budgets in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, funnelling funds toward drought-resistant crops and solar microgrids.
The model has caught the attention of state governments and even the central Ministry of Environment. In 2025, a youth-drafted policy framework on 'Green Jobs for Young Indians' was submitted to the NITI Aayog, India's policy think tank. While not yet adopted, it has sparked parliamentary discussions on a national youth climate corps.
Experts say this matters far beyond India. The country's demographic dividend—median age 28 versus 38 in China and 48 in Japan—makes it a global bellwether. If India can channel youth activism into effective governance, it offers a template for other developing nations. Critics caution that institutional resistance remains high, and that listening without acting can breed cynicism. But Tewari argues that the momentum is irreversible.
What happens next will be closely watched. A national youth climate summit is planned for late 2026, and several state governments are piloting youth advisory councils on environmental policy. The big test will be whether these efforts translate into binding legislation. For now, young Indians are proving that the best way to govern for the future is to let the future speak — and listen.
Climate
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Listen First, Govern Better: How Young Indians Are Changing Climate Policy
Giving young people a real voice on issues that matter — climate, youth mental health, and what comes next — with social entrepreneur Anshul Tewari.
Ashoka, Contributor
Forbes
2 min read
6/10
Key Takeaways
- India's median age is 28, with 65% of the population under 35 — the world's largest youth demographic.
- Anshul Tewari's 'Listen First' programme has shaped municipal budgets in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, directing funds to drought-resistant crops and solar microgrids.
- A youth-drafted 'Green Jobs for Young Indians' framework was submitted to NITI Aayog in 2025, sparking parliamentary discussions.
- India ranks third globally in carbon emissions, making youth-led climate policy critical for meeting Paris Agreement targets.
- National youth climate summit scheduled for late 2026; multiple state governments piloting youth advisory councils on environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Youth climate policy in India refers to the growing influence of young people—those under 35—on environmental legislation and governance. It encompasses initiatives like youth-drafted policy frameworks, advisory councils, and grassroots action plans that aim to integrate youth perspectives into national and state-level climate strategies.
Anshul Tewari is a social entrepreneur based in India who leads the 'Listen First' movement. He focuses on giving young Indians a real voice on issues such as climate change, mental health, and education. His work has helped youth-led proposals reach government bodies like NITI Aayog.
Young Indians influence climate policy through structured platforms that collect local insights and co-design solutions. These proposals have been incorporated into municipal budgets in states like Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, and a national 'Green Jobs for Young Indians' framework has been submitted to India's policy think tank, sparking parliamentary debate.
Youth engagement is critical because India has the world's largest young population (median age 28) and faces severe climate impacts such as heatwaves and water shortages. Involving youth ensures policies reflect the priorities of those who will live with the consequences, increases accountability, and taps into grassroots innovation.
Examples include Anshul Tewari's 'Listen First' programme, which drafted local climate action plans for drought-prone regions, and the 'Green Jobs for Young Indians' framework submitted to NITI Aayog. Several state governments are also piloting youth advisory councils on environmental policy.
A national youth climate summit is planned for late 2026. Multiple states are experimenting with formal youth advisory councils. The main milestone to watch is whether these initiatives lead to binding legislation, such as a National Youth Climate Corps, which is currently under parliamentary discussion.
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