Youth Reflections on Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week
From 23-27 of October, the Government of Panama hosted the Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week (LACCW), providing an important platform for policymakers, practitioners, businesses and civil society to share and deliberate on climate solutions in the region. The event was preceded by the Regional Conference of Youth (RCOY) Latinoamérica, which gathered young people and specialists from all over Latin America and the Caribbean in Colombia to discuss intergenerational climate justice.
“Youth can be perfect leaders of change in their schools, universities and communities. However, this can only be achieved if we have access to knowledge and are able to bring valuable solutions into action in all areas – including disaster risk reduction, mitigation, food systems and more,” remarked Genaro Godoy González, YOUNGO Contact Point of the Finance and Markets Working Group.
The increased participation of youth leaders in LACCW illustrates the growing momentum of youth involvement and leadership within international climate gatherings. To reflect on the role of youth in the LAC region, the NDC Partnership Support Unit asked Valery Salas and Genaro Godoy González of YOUNGO to share their reflections on some of the discussions and outcomes from LACCW.
Pictured: YOUNGO and ACE Secretariat Team; Genaro Godoy González, YOUNGO Contact Point, Finance and Markets Working Group
Pictured: Valery Salas, Global Coordination Team, YOUNGO (Picture Credit: Mariana Castro, 10 Billion Solutions)
What insights did you take away from the week?
Valery: There is a need for an intergenerational approach to co-create solutions which will have a lasting impact in our communities. We have existing local solutions; we need to integrate local knowledge into NDCs so we can enhance inclusion of local communities in the implementation process.
Genaro: We are currently not on track to meet the targets set by the Paris Agreement. Support for climate finance is still lacking; the region will need to come together and consolidate as a negotiating block to have any sort of tangible influence at COP28. The role of youth and children should also be highlighted and considered in the next round of NDC enhancements and the upcoming Global Stocktake. Young people have been active in our efforts to enhance climate action: such as leading transformation in energy, food and technology sectors to enhance public policies to implement NDCs.
What did you observe regarding capacity and knowledge needs?
Valery: Young people are looking to learn more about the upcoming Global Stocktake, climate finance, adaptation, loss and damage and just transition. There is also a lack of South-South knowledge transfer.
Genaro: Local governments do not have the capacity to take stock of their progress on achieving the NDCs, which needs to be improved significantly for the next Global Stocktake. Regarding the nexus of nature-based solutions and resilient food systems, there is also a gap in data availability for policy makers and financial institutions to co-create benefits of enhancing adaptive capacities in rural areas and cities. Relevant topics and actions related to the Paris Agreement should be developed in a user-friendly language: this should be made easily accessible online. More organizational training and grant writing skills are also needed to involve more youth in climate finance efforts.
How did climate finance discussions address youth perspectives or access?
Valery: Development banks have become more open to work on youth affiliated projects in recent years, such as the Development Bank of Latin America and Caribbean (CAF) supporting Latin America Youth Climate Conference (RCOY LatAm) and CIF with its launch of their Youth Engagement Strategy. With these efforts in mind, we would like to continue to encourage the support of many youth-led projects which require funding and investments, especially private banks.
Genaro: Many young people are aligned with the narrative that countries in the region need to work together to achieve shared goals; such as the common protection of the Amazon. Much needs to be done regarding youth participation and access to climate finance. In the name of intergenerational equity, the narrative utilized by financial institutions needs to shift from “philanthropy” to “active participation”. Some barriers for youth in climate finance include access to information and data availability to make the business case of investing in youth with development banks; these existing barriers point to the crucial role of involving young people in the NDC processes to bridge these gaps and catalyze change.
How did the events highlight meaningful youth participation in policymaking?
Valery: The events during LACCW highlighted meaningful youth inclusion by having youth representatives in the panels as speakers. Youth-led projects with different agencies were also showcased. We are happy to share that this year’s LACCW had almost one and a half days of youth-dedicated events thanks to the support of Youth4Capacity Program and the UNFCCC.
Genaro: From High Level segments showcasing youth participation in energy policy, sexual and reproductive rights, just transition and green jobs to the Global Stocktake, we were able to coordinate many youth-affiliated events with the YOUNGO LAC Team and the ACE Secretariat. Nevertheless, we should always strive to ensure that our voices are heard across the board to avoid “youth-washing”; young people should be actively involved in existing processes to ascertain that their voices and concerns do not remain siloed.
What are your main takeaways from the week as we head closer to COP28?
Valery & Genaro: As a region, we have a common ground of negotiation considering our common struggles and necessities. To address these common struggles, we must rethink our current financial system to address adaptation finance needs. We hope that organizations and allies will stand up in solidarity with youth and indigenous communities to ensure inclusive representation at COP.
The NDC Partnership is committed to increasing the capacity and involvement of young people in shaping national climate priorities through the Youth Engagement Plan and annual Youth Engagement Forum.