THIS year is poised for temperature-breaking records, underscoring the world’s failure to meet the 2015 Paris Agreement commitments, which aim to limit the rise in global temperature to below 1.5°C.
The stakes are high, with over one billion children’s lives in jeopardy due to the climate crisis. Recognising the urgent need for action, young people stand ready to take the lead on climate action.
As part of the Paris Agreement, states pledged to respect, promote and consider the rights of children and inter-generational equity when taking climate action. Despite this agreement eight years ago, there has been a lack of significant child-sensitive climate policy initiatives or investments.
The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai marks a critical moment for world leaders to address the devastating impacts of the climate crisis, providing an opportunity to put children’s unique vulnerabilities, needs and rights at the heart of the COP28 outcomes.
We are excited about the increased participation and presence of youths, especially from under- represented communities, such as indigenous groups, refugees and children with disabilities.
Children and young people have a special stake in preserving their future, and are uniquely vulnerable to climate-related issues. The injustice lies in children being the least responsible for climate change but bearing the greatest burden of its consequences. Therefore, it is crucial to involve children and youth in designing climate policies and negotiations.
Young people effecting real change
Last month, in the lead up to COP28, we organised the COP28 Youth Aspirations Dialogue, a collaborative event between the European Union delegation to Malaysia and the Youth Environment Living Labs.
This dialogue was youth-led, and culminated in the handover of youth aspirations for COP28 to the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry. We wanted to ensure youth voices are factored in when the Malaysian delegation is at the negotiating table.
Among the aspirations collected at the dialogue are transition to renewable energy, funding for youth-led environmental initiatives, the need for quality climate education and skills development, and support for youth climate advocates to engage with decision-makers at different levels.
The transition to renewable energy, one of the priorities of COP28, is a global effort. Much of the world, including Malaysia, is actively moving away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy.
A major concern of this transition is ensuring that it does not happen at the expense of people and the environment. A “Just Transition” is a transition that is fair and equitable, and minimises the impact on people and the environment.
The design of this transition should be inspired by innovation and existing sustainable practices, developed by young people. We would like to highlight “Jejak Warisan”, a youth-led environmental initiative based in Terengganu, that showcases how traditional knowledge and practices to adapt to climate change can open paths for a sustainable future. These are the types of initiatives that need support and funding.
Youths offer long-term perspectives, that are often overlooked. Young people are inclined to consider the interests of future generations, thus ensuring environmental sustainability.
Young people want to see comprehensive climate education included in school curriculums. This should start by emphasising the ethos of thinking globally while acting locally – instilling an awareness of global climate challenges while empowering students to take impactful actions within their immediate communities.
Climate education should remain open and adaptable, embracing diverse learning pathways beyond conventional approaches.
To support engagement of youth climate advocates with decision-makers, Unicef (Unicef Youth Climate Champions) is working on the Children and Youth Council on Climate Change to provide a platform for youths to be involved in shaping climate policies. It will also act as a link between the government, civil society and the younger generation.
COP28 will also see the first-ever Global Stocktake that will determine if our collective efforts are on the right track towards meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Unicef is calling on leaders to embed children and inter-generational equity in this exercise. The Global Stocktake will inform the next round of Nationally Determined Contribution submissions (NDCs). Having a strong focus on children will set a precedent for greater inclusion in all future NDCs.
Climate action every day
Beyond COP28, lasting climate action lies in the transformative actions that resonate in the everyday lives of communities worldwide. Real change means taking concrete actions that benefit everyone.
In line with the Sustainable Development Goals, we want to ensure that no one is left behind in the pursuit of a better, more inclusive and healthier future.
The decisions made at COP28 will have far-reaching implications, and it is crucial that we seize this opportunity to drive meaningful action and protect the planet for future generations.
The involvement of young people is crucial to meet the needs for sustained, inclusive and equitable climate action.
Today, more than ever, young people are exercising their rights to participate in matters that affect them most. Climate action matters. Young people are ready to see this through. Unicef stands with them. Will you?
This article is written by Aidil Iman, Nurfatin Hamzah, Mogesh Sababathy, Sara Eisya of Unicef Youth Climate Champions and Robert Gass, Unicef Representative in Malaysia.
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