The manifesto gathers all the proposals that put forwards in Milan and discussed in followingmeetings. It will be sent to governments participating in COP26
Rome, 25 October 2021 – Here is the first “Youth4Climate Manifesto”, which gathers the ideas and proposals that were shared in Milan, at the end of September, during “Youth4Climate Driving Ambition” and then discussed through following consultations, the last of which was held today virtually.
The “Youth4Climate Manifesto” will be sent to all governments that are scheduled to meet at the crucial COP26 of the UN Climate Convention at the beginning of November in Glasgow.
In Milan, the 400 young participants had already met representatives of 40 countries and had conversations with the Italian government, the British government (chair of COP26) and the UNFCCC.
The first Working Group, “Climate Ambition”, launched a call for young people to be involved “in all decision-making processes” relating to climate change; to enable young people to make their own contribution (“capacity building”) and to adequately finance young people’s participation in climate policies.
The second Working Group, “Sustainable Recovery”, has developed five issues around which young people are calling for a sustainable post-pandemic recovery to be achieved: holistic, diversified and inclusive approach to energy transition and green jobs, which does not leave vulnerable communities behind; strengthening adaptation, resilience and reconstruction measures in the event of damage caused by the more adverse effects of climate change; priority to nature-based solutions and solutions that guarantee social equality and protection of indigenous populations; a climate finance system that is transparent and clearly regulates carbon emissions; recognition that tourism must also contribute to achieving emissions reduction targets and that it is necessary to involve all stakeholders, including young people, women, indigenous communities and marginalized groups.
The “Involvement of non-state actors” was addressed by the third Working Group, which identified three strategic lines of intervention: supporting the participation of young entrepreneurs, artists, farmers and athletes, in particular from emerging economies and marginal groups, in order to grant them adequate structures and financing; requiring that all stakeholders, starting with the private sector, align with the objectives of eliminating harmful emissions and strengthening the transparency and reporting of non-state actors in relation to climate policies; deciding that the phase out of fossil fuel-based industries ends by 2030, ensuring that workers are supported in this transition process, and that all non-state actors, including the United Nations, no longer accept funding from fossil fuel-based industries.
The fourth Working Group, “A society more aware of climate challenges”, identified four challenges that governments and international institutions will not be able to ignore in the coming years: public decision-makers must “work with” young people and communities on climate issues by amplifying their voices also through multi-stakeholder platforms and mechanisms to share climate information and solutions; governments must ensure climate change literacy and training for all using a holistic approach and promoting lifestyle changes; awareness campaigns should be carried out on adaptation and mitigation to climate change with the aim of informing and involving every person around the world; journalists and operators in the world of communication should be trained to inform on the urgency and consequences of the climate crisis in order to circulate the results of scientific research among the public and facilitate the understanding of climate policies.
Youth4Climate Manifesto (pdf)
Ministry of Ecological Transition – Press Release – Climate: here is the Youth4Climate Manifesto
