Youth summit 2024: ‘(Almost) everything you’ve ever wanted to know about climate change’

By the Climate Centre

The fourth Red Cross Red Crescent youth and climate summit was held online yesterday, attracting more than 1,200 people who registered to take part from all over the world.  

This year’s summit focused on the role of youth in climate action, spotlighting youth-led innovations, projects and solutions to tackle climate challenges.

Organized by the Climate Centre and the IFRC in partnership with the American and Norwegian Red Cross and the other global youth organizations, it “provided an opportunity to share knowledge and experience, promote capacity building, and inspire youth-led climate action,” said Manon Ebel, Climate Centre Youth Engagement Coordinator.

It was supported by the youth empowerment fund of the European Union, in partnership with the Global Youth Mobilization initiative of the “Big Six” alliance: the World YMCA and YWCA, the World Organization of the Scout Movement, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, the IFRC, and the UK Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.  

Describing youth as “a remarkable force of resilience and action”, IFRC President Kate Forbes said the summit was a reminder of the crucial role played by young people in mitigating climate change.

“During my visits to National Societies, I have seen young volunteers championing community-based climate initiatives,” Forbes said in a video message.

“Advocating for sustainable policies and mobilizing their peers to take meaningful action, whether through planting trees, developing early warning systems, or raising awareness of climate risks,” the efforts of youth were generating “real tangible change”.

She continued: “When young people lead, the ripple effect reaches far beyond them, to families, neighbours, and entire communities.” Leaders and decision-makers were challenged by the young “to do better, to think differently, to act with integrity, and to remain accountable for the future.”

In snapshot, interactive sessions in the morning included the role of young people in tackling the challenge of urban heatwaves in Nepal, an overview of youth-led climate initiatives in the Asia Pacific region, a discussion on voluntary labour and climate action, an empowerment session, and an overview of climate action in the Scout movement, and an international exchange session.

The IFRC’s climate advocacy expert, Mary Friel, was on hand to answer questions about global climate policy, while the Climate Centre’s joint lead on science, Chris Jack, promised to detailed “(almost) everything you’ve ever wanted to know about climate change”.

‘When young people lead,
the ripple effect reaches far beyond them’

Afternoon sessions moved on to lessons on climate from the IFRC’s Limitless Youth Innovation Academy, a discussion of the legal aspects of climate-induced migration, and an exploration of the role of social protection in empowering youth through stipends, scholarships, and support in the job market.

Michelle Chew, IFRC Youth Commission Chair, presented its new strategy for youth engagement, while Fatma Shakarchi, from the Climate Centre youth advisory group, presented the results of last year’s youth-led survey on climate action.

“The strength of the youth climate summits lies in the diversity of session organizers involved, providing different perspectives on how young people can contribute to climate action in a way that engages them,” Manon added.

“For instance, there were sessions organized by young people from all regions, by youth engagement specialists from National Societies, by researchers from universities, and by representatives from organizations like the Scouts, as well as climate experts.”

World YWCA Secretary General Casey Harden took part in an inter-generational discussion with two youth representatives: Emmanuel Bob Chisamba from Malawi, the IFRC’s Youth Commissioner for Africa, and Ani Gevorgyan, the IFRC Climate Champion from Armenia.

The conversation highlighted the importance of not just including but also trusting youth in decision-making to better work together across generations and create space for meaningful youth engagement, including virtually.

Sessions were available in English and Spanish with English, Spanish, French and Arabic subtitles, and the summit ran over 12 hours to include participants from all over the world and as many time zones as possible.

The fourth Red Cross Red Crescent youth and climate summit was held online yesterday, attracting more than 1,200 people who registered to take part from all over the world. (Image: Climate Centre)