We are proud to release Achieving a Sustainable Planet: The Case for Change — a bold and timely response to the urgent climate crisis facing our planet.
This report is our call to action. It outlines the responsibilities we all share — as individuals, communities, organisations, industries, and governments — in building a truly sustainable future. It is also a blueprint for how we can get there, guided by clarity, purpose, and above all, the leadership of young people.
We wrote this report for many audiences:
- For young people, families, and communities, offering ways to take meaningful action and advocate for change at a grassroots level.
- For civil society and NGOs, with practical guidance to shape policies and initiatives that embed sustainability into our shared work.
- For business and industry, highlighting how sustainable practices can be adopted across sectors.
- For governments and decision-makers, urging the inclusion of young voices and a deeper understanding of the human dimensions of sustainability.
“As we confront the greatest existential challenge of our time, we chose to speak with clarity and purpose — not only about what’s broken, but about how we can fix it,” said World YMCA Secretary-General Carlos Sanvee. “This report is our blueprint for urgent action — a call to young people, communities, civil society, governments, and businesses to unite, lead boldly, and centre humanity in the fight for a sustainable future. In collaborating with EY, we’ve laid out the path forward.”
We believe true sustainability must go beyond environmental protection alone. That’s why this report introduces a broader vision — one that connects the wellbeing of people, the resilience of communities, and the restoration of nature. It centres on three interconnected themes:
- Human-centred sustainability: Empowering people to drive social and economic transformation through collective knowledge, action, and care.
- Nature positivity: Supporting initiatives that regenerate biodiversity, strengthen ecosystems, and ensure healthy environments for generations to come.
- The power of young people: Recognising that youth are not just the future — they are the changemakers of today. Supporting their leadership is essential to creating the sustainable world we envision.
This is our moment. The time to act is now. We invite you to read this report — its analysis, its stories, and its recommendations — and to join us in building a greener, fairer, more sustainable world for all.
Read the full report here.
In addition, YMCA leaders are encouraged to explore our first global report, How to Green the YMCA: A Practical Manual for YMCAs. This resource is designed to help turn our shared Sustainable Planet priorities into concrete action.
To learn more, click here.
