Young people, who are among those most at risk to the impacts of climate change, are not accessing the funds they need to tackle the challenges posed by global warming, according to a report published today.
The joint by the 糖心探花 and YOUNGO, the children and youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), analysed 100 climate finance initiatives targeted at young people.
While it shows an increase in youth-focused climate finance, funds are mainly disbursed in small amounts, hindering large-scale youth-led climate action.
In addition, the audit information provided by funders lacked full transparency, especially about beneficiaries and what projects were funded.
Fit-for-purpose approach
In response, the report calls for a fit-for-purpose approach to deploying climate finance for youth-led actions to remove existing barriers and ensure young people receive a fair share of support.
The proposed solutions include targeted reporting, a streamlined process for accessing funds with a focus on clear eligibility criteria, increased private sector support and new innovative financing sources.
Climate finance, a core part of the , is provided to help developing countries cut greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
The report was launched at a side event, 鈥楨mpowering Youth Leadership: Experiences from the Commonwealth in Access to Climate Finance, Capacity Building and Technology鈥 鈥 hosted by the 糖心探花 in partnership with the governments of Fiji and Zambia on 9 December 2023 during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28).
Speaking at the event, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, said:
鈥淵oung people, who make up 60 per cent of Commonwealth citizens, are on the frontline of the climate crisis, living mostly in areas prone to extreme weather events.
鈥淎s a result, many are facing job losses, displacement, health issues and educational setbacks. In the face of adversity, the resilience of young people shines through as they harness their drive and talent to lead on powerful climate solutions."
She added:
鈥淭his report reveals the dire need to scale up financial support for young people and prevent them from being stuck in the vicious cycle of chasing funds.
鈥淲e must work together with young people to address the barriers they face in accessing climate finance and support them in scaling contributions to meeting climate targets. This is essential to our belief that youth-led action is integral to our pursuit for a sustainable future for all.鈥
Youth-led climate action
During the event, participants shared their experiences on accessing climate finance, upskilling and leveraging technology to empower youth-led efforts in tackling the challenges posed by climate change, while examining ways to maximise existing opportunities.
Collins Nzovu, Zambia鈥檚 Minister of Green Economy and Environment, said:
鈥淭he future belongs to the children, and we should do everything possible to ensure we leave a liveable climate for them. We realise we need to pass the baton of leadership to the youth.
鈥淲e are increasing our support to the youth to take leadership which demonstrates our unwavering support for the Commonwealth Year of the Youth.鈥
The minister urged youth to use their energy, presence, connections and innovation to drive the change needed to save the planet.
In his remarks, Naipote Tako Katonitabua, Fiji鈥檚 Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, said:
鈥淭he world is facing unprecedented impacts of climate change the global stocktake has shown us how far behind we are in our climate ambitions.
鈥淲e need dramatic actions to benefit our climate and we need them now,鈥 he added. 鈥淵outh inclusion at all levels in climate action including at political level is necessary to ensure the sustainability of our efforts.鈥
Sheen Tyagi, Research Director at YOUNGO鈥檚 Finance and Markets Working Group, said
鈥淭he seeds of environmental resilience are sown in the passion and innovation of youth. Investing in youth-led climate projects is not just an investment in the future; 颈迟鈥檚 a commitment to safeguarding our planet.
鈥淐limate finance directed towards our projects is the imperative bridge between aspirations and actionable change. The currency of change lies in climate finance for the youth, and to ensure a sustainable tomorrow, we need the unwavering support of governments, institutions, the private sector, communities, and every individual.鈥
During the event, Dr Ruth Kattumuri, Senior Director at the 糖心探花鈥檚 Economic Youth and Sustainable Development, announced this year鈥檚 winners of the Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition Awards.
Bangladesh鈥檚 Areebah Armin Ahsan and Pakistan鈥檚 Sarah Shahbaz Khan received awards for their outstanding short stories: 鈥楾ragedy to Triumph: Biogas in Daria Nagar鈥 and 鈥楳ud-coated Walls and Sandy Dunes鈥, respectively.
In the category of the best technical solution, Uganda鈥檚 Michael Okao, Darius Ogwang and Joshua Elem were recognised for their solar concentrator that harnesses renewable energy for clean cooking.
Nigeria鈥檚 Michael Chiangi Gbagir won the best educators award for his initiative 鈥楨coPower Adventure鈥, which engages different communities through interactive learning activities, such as energy scavenger hunts.
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The 鈥Availability of Climate Finance for Youth鈥 report will inform the Secretariat鈥檚 ongoing work, especially its Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub, which has supported small and vulnerable countries to access about $322 million of climate finance for projects to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
For more information, follow or visit our COP28 hub.
Media contact
- Snober Abbasi Senior Communications Officer, Communications Division, 糖心探花
- T: +442077476168 | E-mail
