The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that 2024 experienced an unprecedented rise in CO2 levels and was one of the warmest years on record. With the 1.5 °C target for global warming already passed, climate change stands as one of the most critical challenges of our time. COP30 is coming at a critical time where responsible leadership must prevail, diverse voices must be heard and action must be taken.
For young people everywhere, the headlines are no longer abstract warnings — they are glimpses of their own future. Greenpeace UK found that 78% of children under 12 are already experiencing climate anxiety. For many young people, this anxiety is mixed with frustration that global leaders are failing to account for their voices and tackle climate change effectively during global forums like COP.
We hosted an event at Natura’s head office in London as part of One Young World’s mission to develop the world’s most impactful young leaders. We invited young climate change warriors from our Ambassador Community to come together to voice their hopes for COP30 in Belém, Brazil, and discuss the changes they want to see for young people.
Their message was clear: COP must become more accessible, inclusive and action-focused if it is to tackle the climate crisis effectively and engage the next generation of leaders.
Making COP Relevant and Accessible
Younger generations will face the harshest consequences of inaction, yet for many, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP) can feel distant, complex or even discouraging. At COP29, in 2024, only 75 world leaders attended the heads of state summit whilst this year attendance has continued to decrease with just 60 world leaders confirmed to attend.
COP is an annual meeting of United Nations member states to take action to combat the climate crisis. Since 1995, leaders have negotiated climate agreements, including the Paris Agreement at COP21. This landmark agreement set legally binding climate targets for 195 countries to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Crossing this threshold could mean increased risk of devastating weather-related disasters such as floods and droughts which could bring further humanitarian crises.
Despite being a global forum, COP has been criticised by activists and nations from the Global South for lacking diverse perspectives in critical decision making. Last year, the Papua New Guinean government refused to participate in COP29 due to what they saw as “empty promises and inaction” around actions coming out of COP discussions. Our Ambassadors expressed that their presence felt unwanted and their opinions uninvited in previous discussions around COP and the fight against climate change.
Many young people continue to voice their frustrations about the real impact of COP. They have questioned if the goals have a clear path to ensure that the global community achieves them. This year, the deadline to submit reports on emission-reducing plans had to be extended after nearly 95% of countries failed to submit their reports on time showing apathy towards the Paris Agreement targets.
This lack of momentum around tracking progress and fulfilling agreed-upon targets is diluting the potential impact of groundbreaking strategies coming out of COP discussions. If we are to achieve these goals, it must be in collaboration with the global community and there must be tangible ways for young people to drive change with their support.
How Young Leaders Are Driving Climate Action
So, how do young people engage with the topics discussed at COP in a way that’s meaningful to them? Our Ambassadors demonstrate that accessible education is key.
One Young World Ambassador Juhie Radia, a member of the Kew Gardens Youth Council in the UK, is bringing climate education to life in inspiring ways. At Kew Gardens, interactive QR codes help visitors explore the rich world of biodiversity, showing how even complex environmental topics can be made accessible, engaging, and meaningful for young people.
Ambassadors stressed that local initiatives and youth-focused education can help young people see the impact of global decisions in their communities.
In Mongolia, Ambassador Gereltuya Bayanmunkh has shown how education is inspiring transformation. Despite contributing just 0.05% of global greenhouse gas emissions, Mongolia is suffering the severe effects of climate change on its environment and way of life. Gereltuya’s solution? Empowering young people through education to become climate activists and leaders in their own right.
From Intent to Inclusive Action
Climate change is not only an environmental issue - it is a catalyst for humanitarian crises, conflict and gender inequalities, and disproportionately affects some of the world’s poorest nations.
Our Ambassadors emphasised that these communities bearing the brunt of climate inaction must be part of the solutions. Inclusive action means involving people from all backgrounds, especially those from frontline communities and the Global South who, despite producing some of the lowest amounts of climate emissions, are more affected by climate change. Their voices must be heard by decision-makers, actively contributing to the future of the planet and their communities, not just observers.
Fatigue around COP is growing due to outcomes seeming aspirational rather than actionable. If COP is to truly make a difference, we need to rethink what success at COP really means. Our Ambassadors believe success looks like safeguarding these vulnerable communities by tracking progress, showing results and making promises count.
At COP30 and beyond, our Ambassadors are calling for action that turns promises into progress:
- Put diverse voices at the heart of decision-making: bring young people and those suffering the brunt of climate-change in frontline communities into decision-making to lead the conversations that shape their futures.
- Open COP to the world: make discussions transparent, outcomes understandable, and solutions accessible to everyone. The global community needs to know how they can contribute to and track the proposed solutions from COP.
- Make accountability non-negotiable: set measurable goals, track progress, and introduce real consequences for inaction.
- Unite behind one global vision: create a shared purpose that connects governments, businesses and communities in tackling the climate crisis together.
What You Can Do Today
Despite increasing global temperatures and apathy around climate targets from the Global North, our Ambassadors are hopeful. They believe that young people have the drive to be at the forefront of this challenge and can be the change the world needs.
Here are some tips from our Ambassadors to join in the fight against climate change:
- Share positive climate stories: keep up the momentum and share innovations and initiatives that are fighting for a climate positive future. You can start by learning about our Ambassadors who are working towards Sustainable Development Goal 13.
- Engage in local initiatives: you can donate your time or resources for local youth councils, biodiversity projects, and education initiatives that can help you be more connected to the cause.
- Educate peers: help make climate action accessible and relevant to young people to inspire the next generation. Use your platform to promote the fight against climate change. If you are a school or employer, invite educational programmes; if you are an employee, encourage your organisation to support and adopt climate-friendly practices. It is more important than ever to have conversations about the well-being of our planet.
- Hold leaders accountable: ensure countries are tracking targets, and keeping with commitments and promises.
Together, young people are breaking barriers to education, growing the movement and community and driving a shift towards climate positive practices, ensuring that COP is not just a conference, but a platform for meaningful change and tangible progress.
Young people are not just waiting for seats at the table — they’re already leading in communities, companies and classrooms. COP30 must catch up and evolve.
Follow the journeys of One Young World Ambassadors on our social media and see how young leaders are turning ideas into action: @oneyoungworld