Home to the largest cohort of young people globally—over 2 billion under 30—Asia and the Pacific are disproportionately affected by climate change and extreme weather events, with children and young people increasingly bearing the brunt. Worryingly, the regions rank high on the Children’s Climate Change Index. With their futures at stake, young people want to shape and implement climate solutions before it is too late.
They did so by crafting a Youth Agenda.
Participants of the 4th Asia and Pacific Youth Symposium (APYS4) developed the Youth Agenda on Climate Change on 17–19 April 2024. The event, organized jointly by the Asian Development Bank, Plan International Asia-Pacific, and UNICEF, gathered youth, government representatives and civil society organizations to discuss major climate issues in the region.
At the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) 57th Annual Meeting in Tbilisi, Georgia, on 5 May, youth advocates presented the Youth Agenda on Climate Change in a session titled “Nothing About Us Without Us: Asian Youth's Call for Inclusive and Intersectional Approach to Climate Action.” Organized by the Asia Pacific Youth Exchange and Child Fund International Asia Region as a part of the ADB Annual Meeting’s Civil Society Program, the event focused on engaging marginalized youth on climate initiatives.
Six youth ambassadors—Noa Limpoco (Philippines), Rubina Adhikari (Nepal), Shameer Rishad (India), Giao Truong (Viet Nam), Sheba Marrotickal (India), and Alvian Wardhana (Indonesia)—led the panel. They outlined the needs, priorities, and recommendations from the Youth Agenda. Bruno Carrasco, Director General of ADB's Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, also joined the panel to present ADB’s perspective on why youth must be involved in climate action.
“This Youth Agenda is the collective voice of young people in Asia and the Pacific. It emphasizes the need for intergenerational dialogue and inclusive approaches to climate action. I invite all of you to reflect on how you can contribute to this call to action and support youth in driving inclusive climate solutions,” said Mr. Rishad, one of the youth ambassadors.
The Youth Agenda focuses on three priority areas:
- Green skills and green jobs. Reform education curricula to integrate green skills and equip young people for jobs to bolster a low-carbon economy.
- Climate advocacy. Implement inclusive educational programs to foster climate action knowledge and skills, and nurture innovative leadership among young people. Train and educate young people in advocacy and policy processes.
- A just transition. Empower young women and girls in fostering a just and equitable shift towards green economies, while delving into the disproportionate climate impacts affecting them.
During the symposium, there was much emphasis on inclusivity. For example, the youth highlighted the importance of involving girls, women and young people from diverse backgrounds, including those living with disability, to design and implement climate action programs and enhance their participation in climate decision and policy-making process.
ADB affirmed the vital role of youth in climate action and emphasized the need for support from stakeholders. Bruno Carrasco, Director General of ADB's Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, stated, "On the subject of climate, youth have much more at stake than any of us. It's a planet they will inherit, so climate change solutions mean much more to them… In ADB's work, with our operational priorities, we recognize the youth as drivers of change. The youth need to have a voice and be empowered to shape a more inclusive growth agenda.” He explained, “In that context, we need to make sure that there are safe spaces not only for young people but also for people with disabilities and other vulnerabilities to speak and develop a strong voice. Through organizing, through greater empowerment, through greater voice, the youth can shape the future.”
UNICEF Regional Director of East Asia and Pacific, Debora Comini supports this view and stated, “We are not only weaving the future for young people, rather we weave with and for young people, recognizing them as equal partners is fundamental to this whole process.” She emphasized, “We must be ready to share power and create enabling environments that allow young people to take ownership of their futures, to innovate, and to lead.”
UNICEF Regional Director of South Asia, Sanjay Wijesekera, underlined the need to empower youth by helping them build skills to secure green jobs. “If we are to build a clean and safe planet for their future, we must heed young people’s demands, especially in developing skills that can enable them to contribute to green jobs,” he said.
Sharon Kane, Director of Sub Regions for Plan International Asia-Pacific, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to engaging young people in its decision-making process for climate action and advocacy. “Sustainable change starts with the community at the grassroots level, where communities are intimately connected to their environments, and they are best positioned to drive meaningful action,” she said. “Through our approach, working with partners, we prioritize the voices and leadership of young people, ensuring that they are at the front of all decision-making processes that affect their lives and their futures. Plan International Asia-Pacific regional team remains steadfast in our commitment to empowering youth in climate action, climate advocacy and building an inclusive civic space for all in the region.”
Young people are not only the future, but they are the stewards of our planet. Their voices and actions play a crucial role in the fight against climate change. By enabling their active participation and equipping them with the tools and platforms, we can nurture a generation capable of driving sustainable and inclusive climate solutions.
