Linda Lorenzon (Junior Researcher G.E.O Environment)
Abstract
This paper examines the critical role of youth and children in addressing the climate crisis, highlighting initiatives such as the COP29 Youth-led Climate Forum and Action for Climate Empowerment. The emphasis is on the need for a more active participation of young people in the negotiations, especially given the disproportionate impact climate change will have on the future of the younger generations.
Introduction
Nowadays, the problem of the climate crisis is a global challenge that has a huge impact worldwide. However, it is often overlooked by institutions and governments how profoundly it impacts the lives of young people around the world. Climate change undermines the confidence young people have in their future, impacts their mental and physical health and disproportionately affects the most vulnerable populations, causing inequalities in lifestyle, access to essential services and quality education. Moreover, it is relevant that all this happens mainly in the Global South and in the least developed regions, which will be the most susceptible of all to the effects of climate change. Therefore, the active participation of young people in the policy-making process concerning these issues is essential now more than ever.
A first step in this direction was taken in 2021, when in paragraph 65 of the Glasgow Climate Pact, formulated at the COP26 held that year in Scotland, future COP Presidencies were invited to organise annual climate forums that would contribute to the implementation of the Glasgow climate agenda and also take into account the voice of the youngest. Therefore, COP29 now recognises the importance of this issue by providing support for the organisation of the Youth-led Climate Forum, which promote a strong conversation between international youth and Parties (UNFCCC, 2024).
At the COP29 several meetings were dedicated to youth, given the utmost importance they have for the future of our planet. Especially at a time in history when young people do not feel listened to or even actively involved in negotiations, but undervalued and pretended to be taken into account. This can be seen as one of the consequences of youth washing, i.e. the fictitious inclusion of young people in politics in the name of diversity, without listening to the wishes and needs of the young population (Volcan, 2024).
It was UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres who made a nice speech dedicated to the youngest, saying “you have every right to be angry, I am angry too. I am angry because we are on the verge of the climate abyss, and I don’t see enough urgency or political will to address the emergency” (UN News, 2024). We need confrontation and collaboration between generations, not to be divided on the same goal, climate justice for all.
Action for climate empowerment
Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) is a term that was adopted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to refer to the work carried out under Article 6 of the Convention and Article 12 of the Paris Agreement.
The goal of ACE is to empower all members of society, from all countries, to engage in climate action through six key elements: climate change education, public awareness, training, public participation, public access to information, and international cooperation on these issues (UNFCCC, 2024).
But why is the ACE important? It provides, through the implementation of all six of its elements, the tools to understand how to respond globally to climate change by acting on critical areas. Effective actions require that everyone, and perhaps most importantly young people, understand what the sustainable transition to a low-carbon world is and participate in its implementation.
Sustainable lifestyles, consumption and production patterns in harmony with the earth and animals, are essential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resilience to the inevitable effects of climate change. The key to success is to be able to mobilise all levels of government and involve, both practically and emotionally, all sectors of society.
The activities in the work programme focus on four priority areas, which address gaps and challenges in the implementation of the six elements of the ACE in a balanced manner. First, policy coherence and the strengthening of ACE at both international and national levels in individual countries. Second, coordinated action that aims to make the best use of technical expertise, different knowledge and resources. Essential then, is the implementation of capacity building and awareness-raising tools. Last but not least, the sector to act on is that of the monitoring and evaluation of results in the implementation of the six ACE elements.
Thematic dialogue sessions to hear the voices of children and youth on policy priorities
This year, the ACE Presidency Event has been focused on Advancing Climate Transparency: Opportunities through Action for Climate Empowerment. It has been an event, in cooperation with YOUNGO, divided into a series of thematic dialogue sessions as part of the Youth-led Climate Forum. These sessions will allow children and young people to share and discuss policy priorities directly with decision makers and address the most important issues by making their voices and needs heard.
Ensuring Intergenerational Equity in Climate Finance: Youth-led dialogue on the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG)
The first dialogue on Intergenerational equity in climate finance was also made possible through the working groups YOUNGO Energy and YOUNGO Finance & Market. During this thematic day, among other things, were discussed the key elements of the New Quantified Collective Goal (NCQG), aimed at hearing the demands of young people and setting a new financial target to support developing countries in their climate actions post 2025 (The Commonwealth, 2024).
The event served as a platform for young people to advocate for stronger financial commitments, equitable access to energy and inclusive climate finance frameworks. All, while emphasising the importance of ensuring the meaningful participation of the younger generation to ensure intergenerational equity in climate finance.
Youth-led Climate Forum Dialogue on Advocating for Health and Educational Equity - The Role of Youth and Children in Climate Action
The second session aimed to draw attention to the critical issue of Health and education equity and provide a platform for youth and children to lead and propose solutions for integrating health and educational equity into climate action policies.
The demands reflected the needs of young people and respect their diversity and cultures. Two focal points have been: the creation of a platform for ACE to develop new solutions and increase investment in green infrastructure and, most importantly, the recognition of mental health issues related to climate change (UNFCCC, 2024).
In short, the ACE global youth movement calls for a more resilient and inclusive approach to climate action, one that strongly considers children in the Global South, who are most at risk from climate change. Health and education, argues the ACE, are two key concepts that absolutely must be and taken into account in the international dialogue on climate change.
Not to forget the significant gap in addressing climate crisis issues in schools. Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change, emphasised that education is essential for real climate action; to train new generations with the green skills needed to interpret and influence their reality in a sustainable way (ESG360, 2024).
Youth-led Climate Forum Dialogue on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
The third thematic session was dedicated to the dialogue on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). With the current pace of progress, we are not on track to meet our common climate goals and implement NDC's. This further dialogue aims to bring new perspectives, bold and innovative visions through children and youth into the process. As one of the main stakeholders in the climate scenario, the Parties alone cannot achieve their commitments and intergenerational equity in the NDCs without the active participation of children and youth in this process. This meeting was important as it highlighted the significance of NDCs for intergenerational equity, how they will affect children and youth in countries in the long term, and what the challenges and opportunities of the youngest will be in developing these contributions.
Youth-led Climate Forum Dialogue on Sustainable Agriculture, Food Security and Water Resource Management
A fourth and particularly significant session explored the discourse on Sustainable agriculture and food security. Specifically, highlights included how scientific data and satellite monitoring can inform national strategies for managing and mitigating agricultural losses while also improving food security. Furthermore, emphasis was placed on how financial support for smart agriculture can become a promoter of resilience and a useful tool.
In line with the Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM) for Losses and Damage and the joint work in Sharm El-Sheikh on climate action, the discussion focused on: supporting smallholder farmers; mobilising resources to support young people who want to engage in agricultural activities; and mitigating losses in marginalised communities most in need (UNFCCC, 2024). With the aim of giving more priority to sustainable agriculture, as well as enabling young people who want to engage in it to have tools and funds at their disposal, we hope that this dialogue will lead to concrete results in the coming years.
Youth-led Climate Forum Dialogue on Climate Mobility and Loss and Damage
Last but certainly not least, the last thematic day focused on Climate mobility and loss and damage. Climate mobility is the forced displacement or migration exacerbated and/or induced by extreme weather events. The intensification of climate change disproportionately affects certain populations in more vulnerable areas, particularly impacting youth, children, indigenous communities and women.
What this dialogue innovatively and interestingly highlighted was that migration; instead of being seen only as a last resource, a negative factor, it can be turned into a proactive strategy integrated into national and international adaptation frameworks. If strategically planned, and supported by viable policies and resources, migration can offer communities the opportunity to diversify their livelihoods in response to climate change and build a better life (UNFCCC, 2024). Therefore, the event, which brought together young people, politicians and other decision-makers, served as a platform to discuss how youth leadership and gender-responsive approaches are integral to addressing climate mobility and its consequences, both negative and positive.
UNICEF: the climate crisis is a risk for every child
Once again, this year, children and young people are faced with the stark reality that, although they bear little responsibility for global warming, they suffer some of its most serious consequences. According to data, almost every child on earth is exposed to at least one climate or environmental risk, while about one billion children live in countries with extremely high climate risks. At this conference, more than ever, we should be reminded that the climate crisis is increasingly a crisis of the rights of children and young people, who are being denied a bright future.
Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF, stressed the urgency of a collective response: “children have experienced another year of record heat, devastating floods, droughts and life-threatening hurricanes. They are the least responsible for these crises, yet they bear the brunt of them”. Then he added: “Now is the time to act, at COP29 governments must prioritise children's rights in solutions” (UNICEF, 2024).
UNICEF therefore calls on world leaders to take decisive action to safeguard the future of children through targeted measures. First, with formal recognition of the severe impact of climate change on children in the COP29 decisions and increased climate funding for children. Then with greater involvement of young people in climate decision-making, with policies that reflect their needs.
Conclusions
Essentially, through a number of dedicated meetings, COP29 emphasised the crucial importance of engaging young people in climate action, addressing the disproportionate impact the climate crisis has on them, particularly those living in the most vulnerable areas in the Global South. Initiatives such as the Youth-led Climate Forum, dialogues on equity in climate finance, education and health, and the focus on intergenerational equity signal progress towards greater inclusiveness. However, as is always the case after international conferences of this kind, questions remain. Will governments fulfil their commitments to prioritise children's rights and youth inclusion, or will these efforts waver under the weight of political inaction? How can intergenerational equity in climate finance and NDCs be ensured among conflicting national interests? Finally, is the global community prepared to address the systemic inequalities that prevent an active participation of young people in decision-making? These questions require vigilance and sustained advocacy to ensure that COP29 is not just a moment, but a significant turning point for future generations.
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