On July 5, 2026, IETC,UNEP together with BCRC China and the Children and Youth Major Group to the UNEP held “Youth day: Zero waste in an AI-powered future” in Shanghai, China, which is a youth-focused workshop exploring how AI and Zero Waste thinking can work together to shape a more circular future. The workshop brought together students, young innovators, and experts to exchange ideas and build actionable recommendations for policymakers and global partners.
The Youth Day event featured expert presentations on zero waste concepts, circular economy trends, and AI applications in the green transition, alongside youth shared case studies and innovative projects from around the world. Through group discussions and workshops, participants explored AI's role across industrial value chains, weighing both opportunities and challenges for advancing zero waste. A dedicated session co-drafted the Youth Discussion Paper on Zero Waste × AI, which formulates recommendations for policymakers, standards bodies, and international organizations. More information
Youth Day event photo
BCRC China WeChat Official Account