Youth-led innovations for climate justice: connecting local and global solutions

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This policy paper presents discussions and proposals developed through youth consultations led by youth innovators and supported by UNESCO IESALC to contribute to the 2024 United Nations Summit of the Future. Held on June 3, June 17, and July 15, 2024, these consultations gathered youth from all five UNESCO regions – Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Arab States, Europe and North America, and Latin America and the Caribbean – ensuring a diverse and inclusive process. They were actively engaged by broad inspirations from young people in the BIBO (Better Innovation, Better Outcome) Network as well as affiliated youth oganisations, which is part of UNESCO IESALC’s Youth Strategy, aimed at engaging young stakeholders in shaping inclusive, equitable, and quality higher education for sustainable development 

Launched in 2023 with pilot activities, the 2024 BIBO Network cohort includes 50 members from 23 countries, offering opportunities such as advocating for the SDGs, participating in events, workshops and podcasts, engaging in peer-to-peer learning, attending high-level events, and training in applied policy and project management skills. The network promotes collaboration, networking, visibility, and co-creation, with outcomes—such as this policy paper series— based on collective engagement by its members and other partners.  

The paper underscores the need for urgent and decisive action on climate change, as the planet’s warming accelerates, triggering more frequent and devastating climate disasters. To tackle this crisis, it is vital to replace voluntary commitments under the Paris Agreement with binding obligations that enforce accountability and limit global temperature rises. Young people across different regions are already leading advocacy and innovation in climate solutions, but they also need to be meaningfully included in high-level decision-making to ensure equitable, effective climate action for present and future generations, which aligns with the Summit of the Future’s goal of fostering a more inclusive and sustainable governance mechanisms. 

As part of a broader initiative by the BIBO Young Innovators Network, this paper also connects with reviews of SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Together, these papers present a comprehensive youth-led vision to inform and support the outcomes of the 2024 Summit of the Future, advancing progress across the Sustainable Development Goals.

This series counted on the support of the following team: Lead for Youth-Led Policy White Papers: Doris Mwikali, BIBO Academy Policy Consultant, UNESCO IESALC; supporters and editors: Giulia Ribeiro Barão, Project Officer, Partnership and UN Liaison Unit, UNESCO IESALC; Bosen Lily Liu, Head of Partnership and UN Liaison Unit, UNESCO IESALC. Also, it counted with the support of the following collaborators: Adriana Miranda, Anna Weinrich, Binte Sohail, Damilare Oyedele, Diego Mendoza, Doris Mwikali, Dunja Trifunovic, Emmanuel Ganse, Greta Kohan, James Odhiambo, Maimoona Sohail, Michael Nabieu, Nancy Chacón, Olumide Ojelabi, Rafat, Samapika Sahu, Samuel Mue, Sara Gawhary, Saramma Chandy – outstanding young people affiliated to BIBO Network and other youth organizations.