Introduction

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges affecting children and youth today, especially in developing countries with low incomes, large rural populations, reliance on natural resources, and less robust risk management and safety nets. Against this backdrop, (in)actions on the part of decision-makers can have both negative and positive impacts on youth and children. Therefore, it is important that youth play a key part in decision-making processes, where they have the opportunity to voice their concerns, experiences, and innovative ideas.

Youth are a key stakeholder group for addressing the impacts of climate change and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the role and contribution of youth for addressing climate change is recognized and addressed through Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) and other work under article 6 of the UNFCCC and article 12 of the Paris Agreement. Areas of focus under ACE include education, training, awareness creation, participation, access to information, and international cooperation, which aim to enable youth, women, those with special needs, and vulnerable communities to meaningfully engage in national and international processes on climate change. At the national level, countries have the opportunity to integrate ACE into climate-related processes, including the engagement of youth in awareness creation and education, decision-making processes, and other aspects related to national and local climate action.

The Global Youth Forum on Climate Change (GYFCC) was initiated by SLYCAN Trust in 2016 to build the capacities of youth, share experiences, and identify opportunities for meaningful engagement of youth at national and international level to enhance climate action. It focuses on ensuring youth participation and contribution at all levels to facilitate inclusive and participatory climate policy and action where youth play an active role.

Objectives

• Bring together youth from around the world to foster multi-stakeholder partnerships and collaborations

• Empower youth to actively take part in climate action at all levels through capacity building, technical support and creating a platform for enhanced engagement amongst youth and multiple stakeholders

• Create avenues and opportunities for youth to better engage with mentors, technical experts and especially like-minded other youth to develop innovative solutions for a climate resilience world.

Thematic Areas

Key Focus Areas

• 

  Just transition in the energy sector
  - Key elements to ensure just transition in the energy sector
  - Gaps and challenges faced in integrating aspects and strategies of just transition in the energy sector
  - Institutional structures and role of actors in achieving just transition in the energy sector
  - Entry points and opportunities for integrating just transition into climate policy initiatives and actions
  - Success stories, best practices, and experience sharing on initiatives

• 

  Ensuring just transition in the food sector
  - Key elements of just transition and their relation to global and local food systems
  - Gaps and challenges faced in integrating aspects and strategies of just transition in the food sector
  - Institutional structures and role of actors in achieving just transition in the food sector
  - Entry points and opportunities for integrating just transition into climate policy initiatives and actions
  - Success stories, best practices, and experience sharing on initiatives

• 

  Gender, inclusion, social protection, and cross-cutting aspects related to just transition
  - Key cross-cutting aspects related to just transition
  - Interlinks for integration of just transition with climate action and into different climate policy and action processes
  - Impacts of COVID-19 and the role of recovery actions in contributing toward just transition
  - Success stories, best practices, and experience sharing on initiatives