Are COP outcomes aligned with youth aspirations for climate justice?
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midst mounting worldwide concern over intensifying climate disasters, COP29 took place in Baku, Azerbaijan. My generation, the youth, has emerged as a key voice calling for swift and fair climate action. This year, the COP was crucial in determining how closely international discussions match our climate goals and whether these adequately addressed the issues that the younger generations will face.
In accordance with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, COP29 addressed carbon markets, loss and damage mechanisms and adaptation funds. However, opinion over the results remains divided.
Financial promise deficiencies were brought to light during discussions about operationalising the Loss and Damage Fund. It is estimated that by 2030, climate-related damage in developing countries will amount to $580 billion yearly. The insufficiency of the Global North’s pledges has drawn criticism from the youth. We contend that it prolongs injustices and postpones the recovery of weaker countries.
Developed countries have pledged to double their yearly contributions to adaptation financing by 2025, setting a target of $40 billion. This will leave a significant funding shortfall for adaptation – estimated between $187 billion and $359 billion annually. Although progress was recognised, young climate activists feel that was insufficient for the most vulnerable communities.
Carbon trading regimes were praised for their advancements. However, my generation worries about possible double counting and inadequate protections for local communities and indigenous peoples. Many believe that rather than promoting significant carbon reductions, these mechanisms run the risk of encouraging greenwashing.
COP29 reaffirmed its pledge to phase out subsidies for ‘inefficient’ fossil fuels, but it omitted any legally enforceable terms or deadlines. Youth organisations voiced their displeasure, calling the ongoing use of fossil fuels a betrayal of coming generations. The disparity between rhetoric and performance is highlighted by the International Energy Agency’s conclusion that fossil fuels continue to get $7 trillion in annual subsidies worldwide.
While the young people were represented at COP29, reflecting our growing clout in climate discussions, many participants believed that their contributions were merely symbolic and that the demands of young people were not fully included in the decision-making process.
There was a clear discrepancy between the goals of young people and the conclusions of COP29. Young people have repeatedly demanded transformative action, such as the phase-out of fossil fuels, equitable funding and the empowerment of marginalised areas. These hopes were not met by the modest progress seen at COP29.
We, the young, believe that the sluggish mobilisation of the Loss and Damage Fund highlights the seriousness with which climate justice issues need to be addressed. According to a UNDP survey, 64 percent of the youth worldwide think governments are not doing enough to address climate financing. Fridays for Future and other youth-led organisations have supported the “polluters pay” concept, calling on developed countries to foot the majority of the bill for past emissions.
For youth groups, the uncertainty surrounding cuts to fossil fuel subsidies was a major letdown. The necessity of a fair energy transition was highlighted by youth activists. However, COP29 provided nothing in the way of breaking long-standing reliance on fossil fuels.
Systemic injustices in climate discussions, such as unequal access to financing and disproportionate climate obligations, have been brought to light by the youth from around the world. Although adaptation and mitigation methods were integrated at COP29, structural issues such as debt relief for countries that are susceptible to climate change were not addressed. According to Oxfam, loans account for 93 percent of industrialised countries’ climate finance. This exacerbates the financial strain on developing economies.
Despite dissatisfaction with COP29 outcomes, youth movements continue driving grassroots climate action. Under the direction of Elizabeth Wathuti, the Green Generation Initiative in Kenya has taught communities about climate resilience and planted more than 30,000 trees.
After the destruction caused by Typhoon Haiyan, youth organisations in the Philippines organised for improved disaster preparedness.
The Fridays for Future movement, which organised major climate strikes with millions of young people, has kept pressure on governments around the world to meet the 1.5 degree Celsius objective.
COP29 revealed a continued disconnect between the aspirations of my generation and global climate governance. The fight for climate justice is entwined with larger efforts for equity, representation and accountability for young people.
In order to match these goals with upcoming climate talks, governments need to set legally binding deadlines for delivering climate money and phase-out fossil fuels; prioritise equity by making sure that efforts to combat climate change empower marginalised communities and address historical injustices. They need to boost the voices of the youth by integrating our demands into meaningful decisions that go beyond symbolic engagement.
The stakes are extremely high as we prepare to move toward COP30 in Brazil. Bridging the gap between incremental progress and transformative change, and meeting the aspirations of my generation will require courageous leadership and a commitment to the aspirations of the generation inheriting the planet.
The writer is studying for an undergraduate degree in environmental science with business management at Queen Mary University of London