COP29: How to engage the youth and raise awareness for a greener future
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As climate crises escalate — with wildfires and rising sea levels threatening and devastating communities — the need for meaningful action has never been more urgent.
Young people, who have contributed the least to this crisis, are among those most affected. According to UNICEF’s latest Sustainability and Climate Change Action Plan, 2 billion children — nearly 90 percent of the total worldwide — are exposed to dangerously high levels of air pollution.
In addition, 820 million children are highly vulnerable to extreme heat, while 240 million of them are threatened by coastal flooding. These numbers underscore a critical need to enhance ambition and enable action.
As the Youth Climate Champion for COP29, I believe it is essential that the voices of children and young people are not only heard but also empowered. Young people around the globe bring a unique sense of urgency and clarity to the discussion, with the potential to inspire real and lasting change.
The role of the Youth Climate Champion was established to amplify the efforts of organizations within the COP processes that are led by and focused on young people.
Building on the groundwork laid by the COP27 Youth Envoy, COP28 introduced the Youth Climate Champion position to further integrate young voices and perspectives into global climate discussions.
I am grateful to Shamma Al-Mazrui, the first COP Youth Climate Champion, for her invaluable work in elevating the voices of young people. As the current champion, I am committed to ensuring the inclusion of children and youth in climate diplomacy and throughout the negotiations in Baku.
Furthermore, we must create platforms that elevate these voices. At COP29, we have established spaces for advocacy, dialogue, and networking where young people can share their insights and solutions to climate change on a global stage.
This includes meaningful engagement and emphasizing the importance of finance and prioritizing resources for initiatives that support children and young people in addressing the climate crisis.
These platforms are critical for ensuring that young voices are heard and must provide concrete opportunities for them to express their views on key issues.
COP29 features numerous initiatives where young leaders and representatives from civil society can actively participate.
We are also collaborating with local and international partners to ensure that youth and children are involved in national climate planning, with over 150 representatives from NGOs, universities, and other organizations contributing to consultations.
Children and young people are the strongest voices in the climate challenge and can be vital sources of innovative solutions
Leyla Hasanova
While ensuring that young voices are heard is crucial, it is even more important that this leads to concrete outcomes and policy changes that genuinely benefit them.
We must ensure that negotiations result in policies that safeguard the environment, secure a sustainable future, and address the unique needs and aspirations of young people.
With all parties required to submit their next round of Nationally Determined Contributions by 2025, there is a unique opportunity to meaningfully engage young people in this critical process.
As highlighted in the second letter to parties, the COP29 presidency outlined an action agenda that supports this year’s vision. This agenda provides individual, presidency-led initiatives and envisaged outcomes.
It clarifies our call for a broader group of stakeholders to contribute to global climate action at COP29. In this context, I want to emphasize “The Baku Initiative on Human Development for Climate Resilience,” which took place on Nov. 18.
Furthermore, it is vital that climate issues are not confined to discussions at COP29 in Baku; they must be addressed in various other contexts as well. Strengthening collaboration among universities and prioritizing education will ensure that climate knowledge is disseminated widely, fostering a more informed and engaged society.
Raising awareness through education is fundamental to this effort, and it is equally important to make climate education accessible to everyone. We must break down barriers that may prevent marginalized communities from participating in these essential discussions.
Children and young people are the strongest voices in the climate challenge and can be vital sources of innovative solutions. By providing young people with the knowledge and platforms they need, we can be a part of the solution.
We must now create opportunities to build a greener future.
• Leyla Hasanova is the COP29 Youth Climate Champion
