Results from a national environmental literacy study conducted among South Africans reveal that older generations express greater concern about the Earth’s changing climate and environment than younger people. This is concerning, given that the future of environmental stewardship ultimately rests in the hands of the youth.
Implemented through a collaboration between the Human Sciences Research Council, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and the CSIR, the Citizens Environmental Awareness Index, conducted in 2022 and again in 2024, measured levels of environmental literacy among the South African public across different age groups, starting from 16 years and older.
"We found that, in general, the youth, typically between the ages of 16 to 30 years, are no more environmentally literate than older generations and without a generational shift, there is a risk future prospects may not improve,” says CSIR senior research Dr Lorren Haywood, who contributed to the study.
The index is informed by a national survey that assessed citizens’ interest in, knowledge of, and concern for the environment, as well as their pro-environmental actions across key environmental themes, including the general environment, climate change, sustainable energy, air quality, biodiversity, water, oceans and beaches and waste and litter management. The survey found that high levels of concern persist among South Africans regarding litter and rubbish, driven by challenges such as inconsistent service delivery, public attitudes and limited knowledge of proper waste disposal methods.
Intensifying environmental education and awareness among South African youth remains a significant goal to be realised. This will foster a culture of zero waste while supporting sustainable energy systems and preventing biodiversity loss amid ongoing air and water pollution, climate change and natural resource exploitation.
“The disconnect lies between knowledge, concern and the translation of these into lived behaviours and implemented actions that meaningfully reduce our impact on the environment. While humanity’s impact on the environment is addressed to some extent in school curricula, it is not sufficiently shaping the aspirations of young people in South Africa to act and drive change. Such a shift is critical, not only for improving environmental outcomes, but also for supporting the long-term well-being of society.”
“The Citizens Environmental Awareness Index highlights the need for interventions that raise awareness and deepen knowledge about the environment. In South Africa’s transition to a circular economy, the study’s results show that while knowledge about recycling is growing, greater participation is needed, particularly among youth, who will become tomorrow’s leaders, policymakers and innovators,” says Haywood.
Adopting measures such as ensuring the youth engagement in recycling and additional sustainable waste practices, such as designing out waste through the reuse and repurposing of products can play a critical role in shaping future climate action and advancing sustainability.
“Let us translate the challenges the youth have inherited from older generations into opportunities for career growth, entrepreneurship, innovation and societal impact,” she says. “Environmental apathy among youth often stems not from indifference, but from overwhelming eco-anxiety, fatalism and a sense of powerlessness. While many are deeply concerned about environmental issues, a significant portion feel that it is ‘too late’ to act, which can lead to disengagement and the belief that individual actions are futile,” says Haywood.
Once the youth are empowered with a more positive mindset, the potential to drive meaningful synergies between waste management and climate change mitigation can be realised and can assist in advancing South Africa’s transition towards a circular economy.
Haywood recommends that environmental education should be integrated more broadly across subjects throughout children’s schooling years and extend beyond the classroom to foster learning experiences that cultivate a lifelong interest in the environment.
“This level of literacy goes beyond simple awareness and requires a functional understanding. In the context of waste management, this includes the ability to identify, sort and correctly dispose of materials to reduce contamination in recycling streams. Over time, environmental challenges will only intensify, making youth active involvement in circular economy initiatives essential – both now and in the future,” she says.
Published 8 June 2026