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Why the climate, peace and security agenda is a youth matter
Despite the broad nature of multilateral climate negotiations under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, some fundamental topics are still neglected or do not receive due attention. This has long been the case for the interconnections between climate, peace and security, which are often perceived as a separate track from climate action.
The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), took place in Baku, recently. Building on efforts of the previous two COP presidencies (COP27 and COP28), Azerbaijan has attempted to move the Climate, Peace and Security agenda forward. The Azeri presidency held a dedicated thematic day on Peace, Relief and Recovery – an effort to increase funding for peace-sensitive climate action.
As we take this conversation forward, we should avoid replicating the mistakes of the past and secure the participation of all groups in these discussions. Unfortunately, young people have often been sidelined from most talks around climate, peace and security. As we try to bring these issues closer, we must take the lessons learnt from previous climate negotiations and acknowledge that – just like in other climate topics – youth have important contributions to offer.
In this blog piece, we highlight the urgent need to adopt an integrated approach to the discussions on this topic. We encourage more action on youth, climate, peace and security –in line with several events at COP29 that emphasized youth leadership in climate action and peacebuilding – and reflect on the role of capacity building as an enabler of this synergistic approach.
The double burden of conflict and climate change
Many young people are already experiencing the double burden of climate change impacts and conflict. This can affect youth in various dimensions of their lives – for example through the loss of livelihoods and economic opportunities, displacement, or loss of access to education, amongst others. In addition, this can significantly disrupt the journey to adulthood, compromising prospects of young persons’ futures.
As one of the main groups affected by the compounding effects of climate change and conflict, young people are also leading effective climate action and peacebuilding, addressing these interconnected risks in a synergistic way. From driving change within their communities, to organizing social movements, or engaging in politics, advocacy, or activism across local, national, regional and international fora, young people have been very much at the forefront of diverse efforts to address these challenges.
Youth leadership at COP and beyond have been consistently raising awareness on the challenges that young people experience in countries with armed conflicts and disruptive climate change impacts. In a moment when conversations about climate, peace and security are gaining momentum, it is imperative to go beyond young persons’ vulnerabilities, and highlight youth agency in the wake of climate change and conflict.
Bridging the gap between youth climate action and peacebuilding
There is a need for convening spaces that encourage exchanges and mutual understanding between youth-led climate, peace and security initiatives and the organizations that shape policy, programming, and funding on the matter. Therefore, in a recent workshop "From advocates to experts: An inter-generational exchange on the Climate, Peace and Security agenda", UNSSC and adelphi brought together United Nations(UN) agencies, funds and programme staff with youth activists, climate, peace and security experts, donors, and civil society at the sidelines of the Berlin Climate and Security Conference 2024.
The workshop first discussed obstacles to youth inclusion , such as a lack of intergenerational trust and understanding, or the lack of funding for youth-led approaches that already combine peacebuilding and climate action. By convening a diverse group of practitioners, the workshop allowed for an exchange of good practices and concrete solutions, such as flexible funding arrangements for youth-led initiatives or examples of including youth’s knowledge and capacities into the planning, design and implementation of projects.
Other examples of such spaces include United Nations Development Programme ’s Climate, Peace and Security Academy – which for the first time exclusively targeted young experts and leaders – and included 45 delegates from over 20 countries, or this years’ Youth4Climate (Y4C) flagship event which brought together young climate leaders from around the world to discuss and share experiences.
How capacity building can help
By convening different stakeholders and building capacity of governments and the UN system, we can foster environments in which intergenerational exchange is valued, encouraging meaningful youth leadership. That is crucial, because in many cases, the barriers exist due to a lack of knowledge or understanding of the contributions that youth can offer to climate action also in conflict-affected areas.
Capacity development can support youth in interacting with existing structures and identifying opportunities to better engage in negotiations. Capacity building can help young people leverage their expertise and unique knowledge to foster strong partnerships with governments and the UN system.
Whether at COP29 or beyond, the climate, peace and security agenda is fast-evolving and shaping as we speak. This means that there is a chance and a need to ensure that youth voices are included in discussions now, rather than later in the process. Climate, peace and security must be approached as a youth matter.
To learn more about UNSSC’s offerings about youth, climate, peace and security, : https://www.unssc.org/peace-and-security-changing-climate and UNSSC Commits to Education for Climate Action | UNSSC | United Nations System Staff College
