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Call for Governments: Commit to child and youth-centered climate policy and action
Children and young people are among the most impacted by the climate crisis, but given the least say in the matter.
That is why youth activists, international organizations and governments launched The Intergovernmental Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action during COP25. This declaration - based on inputs from children and young people across the world - is the first-of-its-kind commitment to accelerate inclusive, child and youth-centered climate policies and action at national and global levels.
We must call on governments to sign the declaration and hold signatories accountable to their commitments.
Join us by signing YOUNGO’s letter demanding that governments adopt the declaration and commit to putting children and young people at the center of climate policy, decision-making and action. It will be delivered to Member States at COP 26.
Letter to Member States: Commit to child and youth-centered climate policies and action
We call on all Member States to sign the Intergovernmental Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action. Based on the priorities of YOUNGO and other children and youth across the world, the Declaration sets out commitments by States to accelerate inclusive, child and youth-centered climate policies and action at national and global levels.
Climate change is no longer an environmental issue but a social crisis and in particular, a child rights crisis. It is impacting the lives of billions today, particularly children and youth. The effects leave them, particularly from the Global South, in extremely vulnerable conditions.
Science has communicated over time that the climate change impacts will only worsen if States do not increase the ambition of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and significantly increase their support to adaptation with a focus on building the resilience of vulnerable communities. We have witnessed over the years how the international community has failed children and youth in the climate negotiations, by going round in circles whilst the younger generations experience the increasing negative impacts of climate change. Moreover, from water scarcity to air pollution and global warming, the world needs educated, informed and empowered children and youth with different backgrounds and skills that can contribute towards the development and implementation of scientific and technological solutions for effective and efficient climate action.
It is time for Member States to focus on the specific needs, rights and perspectives of children and youth and to invest in their potential, recognizing that today's young people are the leaders and decision-makers of tomorrow. We challenge all States to have an open and honest conversation with young people on building a resilient future, and to provide space and dedicated mechanisms for children and youth to be part of the policy-making process.
Indeed, this is not only a moral imperative. Under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which enjoys near-universal ratification, States have an obligation to uphold children’s right to be heard on issues that affect them. Child and youth engagement should therefore be the foremost priority, and States should recognize their responsibility to provide appropriate mechanisms for young people to contribute their unique perspectives and knowledge on national and international decisions, and to work alongside the younger generation towards a sustainable and just future for all.
States must recognize that investing in young people means investing in the future. The older generation that holds economic and political power must rethink and reinvent the ways we address climate change, giving children and youth a seat at the table. A discussion of the future should not take place without the future generation being involved.
We applaud those governments that have already signed the Intergovernmental Declaration, and call on other States to join them. We stand ready to work with signatory governments to support the implementation of these critical commitments.