Youth Friendly Standards’ Post

COP tourism is becoming a trend, often impacting the climate more than bringing genuine solutions. 🌍✈️ Many activists and delegates perceive it as a mere opportunity for leisure rather than a serious commitment to addressing climate change. 🛑🌱 Most COP delegates seem unaware of the complexities and urgency involved. At the end of the day, what matters to them is the excitement of traveling. 🏖️ When the chance for an interesting travel experience arises, they seize it and have fun. 🎉 Zero awareness of the problem, no real commitment to driving meaningful change, and little effort to inspire leaders to take effective action. ❌💔 #COPTourism #ClimateAction #ClimateChange #Sustainability #ActNow #NoMoreExcuses

COP29: Who Gets to Speak for Our Future? This year, I made a conscious decision to stay silent on COP29 until it concludes but let me break my silence for a moment: If you don’t know what COP stands for, maybe COP isn’t the place for you. The video shared by @YOUNGO a "funny" reel pushed me to address this. Yes, we can laugh, but here's why this is no laughing matter. For years, many of us have been calling for reforms in how COPs (Conference of the Parties) are structured. Yet, the more these gatherings evolve, the more they resemble a circus of networking rather than the crucial platform for solutions they’re supposed to be. For young people, COP isn’t just a conference it’s a fight for survival. It’s about influencing decisions that directly impact our lives, communities, and future. These are the voices that must be heard, yet they’re sidelined because of systemic issues like limited badges, inaccessible funding, and bureaucratic gatekeeping. So why are the people most affected the ones least represented? This irony isn’t just tragic it’s dangerous. What Needs to Change If COPs are to remain relevant and impactful, these reforms are critical: Reform Badge Allocation Introduce quotas to ensure equitable representation from youth worldwide, especially those in the Global South and indigenous communities. Make Funding Accessible Create dedicated funds for youth participation, particularly for activists from vulnerable and underrepresented regions. Hold Attendees Accountable Conduct regular audits on attendee contributions post-COP to ensure participants are driving actual change, not just warming seats or posting selfies. The Value Exchange Including frontline youth in COPs isn’t just fair it’s smart. Here’s the cost-benefit analysis: Cost of Exclusion: Missed Innovation: Excluding young, diverse voices means losing out on groundbreaking ideas and grassroots solutions. Inaction Costs: Delayed or ineffective climate solutions could cost billions in economic damage annually. Benefits of Inclusion: Global Equity: Inclusivity builds trust and fosters a united front in tackling global climate issues. Long-Term ROI: Supporting young changemakers creates a pipeline of leaders who will sustain the fight for climate justice. Our Call to Action At Youth Friendly Standards (YFS) and WASTE OR CREATE HUB, we’re not just talking we’re acting. Together with youth leaders Nikos Therapos Anoushka Sinha,FRSA Fatima-Zahrae Tarib we’re working on bold proposal to the UNFCCC titled: "Reimagining Youth Engagement at COP: Advocating for Youth Rights and Representation – Recommendations to UNFCCC for Strengthening Youth Engagement and Shifting Policy Toward Youth-Centric Approaches." If you believe in the power of youth to drive change and want to collaborate, we invite you to join us in this critical mission. Let’s stop talking about access and start creating it. 📩 Contact us to collaborate. #COP29 #YouthForClimate #AccessForAll #UNFCCC #YOUNGO

You don’t want to miss the end🥹😂 Joshua Steib asks COP delegates if they actually know which Conference they are attending... It’s a funny reel, but maybe we should start questioning who should get to attend COP: Year and year again, young people, especially from the frontlines of the climate crisis are excluded from the Conference of the Parties (yes, that’s the name of the Conference) because no badges or funding are available. At the same time more and more people attend just to “network”. For many of us young people, COP means fighting for the survival of our earth and our communities. Maybe this should be taken into account for badge allocation. #COP29 #COP29ImpactMakers #YOUNGO #UNFCCC #UNClimateChange

Are the #climate talks and COP (Conference of Parties) processes failing humanity? For a safe and prosperous future for all, we must bring focus onto the global commons 🌍 In this article, Jane Madgwick - Executive Director of Global Commons Alliance - discusses the action required to ensure a #SafeAndJust planet for future generations, including a significant reconfiguration of the COP framework. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dvxBysn6 #COP29 #COP16

🌍Reflections on COP29🌍 #COP29 concluded with a major pledge to triple climate finance for developing nations, targeting $300 billion annually by 2035 to protect lives and build climate resilience. While this is a step forward, criticism remains strong. Developing countries expressed frustration over the continued failure of wealthier nations to meet previous promises. Many argue that the urgency of the climate crisis demands far more than financial targets—it requires immediate, tangible action. COP29 highlighted both the potential of global cooperation and the persistent gap between promises and delivery. The journey toward a fair, just climate transition continues. #ClimateAction #COP29 #Sustainability

In my latest blog on COP29, I dive into a powerful moment from the conference when the UN Secretary-General called Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) "the most important policy documents of this century." He also introduced the Climate Plan Campaign, a bold initiative to accelerate climate action. The big question now is: Will the NDCs finalized at COP29 turn into real action? If countries stick to these commitments, there's genuine hope for a brighter, more sustainable future. After all, hope is what keeps us moving forward, especially in these critical times. The world is watching, and every moment counts. Let’s hope COP29 becomes a turning point, delivering results rather than just promises. #COP29 #COP29Azerbaijan #azarbaijan #Blog #ClimateAction #ClimateCrisis https://lnkd.in/gwa47_VR

Story time. Every year at COP, among other things, I create social media content for the Youth Constituency of UN Climate Change. It started out as a video that was supposed to explain BASIC abbreviations to a wider youth audience. It ended with party delegates not knowing which conference they are attending. I am shocked. Yes this is a funny reel, but maybe we should start questioning who should attend COP: Year after year, young people, especially from the frontlines of the climate crisis, are excluded from the Conference of the Parties (yes, that's the name of the Conference) because no badges or funding are available. At the same time, more and more people attend just to "network" and to take their Instagram pic. For many of us young people, COP means fighting for the survival of our earth and our communities. COP is not tourism. It's time UN Climate Change works on their badge allocation schemes to prevent this from happening. YOUNGO #COP29 #UNFCCC #UNClimateChange #COP

Next stop? #COP29, Baku!   These are challenging times and the stakes are high. Together with some team members and several CIDSE members and partners, I will be in Baku (from November 11th to the 18th), ready to dive into this crucial process and witness - making sure we do everything we can so that the voices of civil society, especially those most affected by the consequences of climate change, are heard and taken into account! Every time we show up, no matter how overwhelming the issues are, we know we’re not alone. Because community is so important, while I'm there, between the official side events and meetings, I'd love to get in touch! So, if you're coming and want to catch up, let's meet ! It will be an opportunity to discuss current priorities (see what CIDSE is working on: https://lnkd.in/eXrirRMi), learn from each other and look ahead to COP30!    #CIDSEatCOP29 #ClimateAction #UNFCCC 

UNFCCC EXECUTIVE SECRETARY SIMON STIELL COP29 SPEECH The United Nations Climate Change Executive Secretary - Simon Stiell, has emphasized the urgency of establishing a new, ambitious global climate finance goal. He said COP29 in Baku is a “stand-and-deliver” moment, calling on parties to ensure substantial financial commitments that truly address the needs of developing nations. “This UNFCCC process is the only place we have to address the rampant climate crisis, and to credibly hold each other to account to act on it”. He highlighted the importance of increasing access to climate finance, particularly through concessional and grant-based funding, while urging innovative strategies to scale up public and private contributions to climate initiatives. We mustn’t let 1.5 slip out of reach. "The shift to clean-energy and climate-resilience will not be stopped. Our job is to accelerate this and make sure its huge benefits are shared by all countries and all people". "Now it is the time to show that global cooperation is not down for the count. So I urge you all, let us rise together". - Simon Stiell #COP29Azerbaijan #COP29Baku #COP29 #ClimateAction #InSolidarityForAGreenWorld

COP29 Azerbaijan Begins: A Pivotal Year for Climate Action! 🌍 Yesterday marked the official start of COP29, and we're excited to see a global spotlight on climate action. This year’s Conference of the Parties (COP) holds special significance as countries unite to tackle pressing environmental challenges with an ever-greater sense of urgency. As the COP29 Presidency, Azerbaijan is committed to creating a transparent, inclusive, and impartial process. Their approach is built on two key pillars aimed at enhancing ambition and enabling action—ensuring that the conversations and commitments made at COP29 translate into real, tangible progress. We at Celtic Dynamics believe in the importance of these dialogues and decisions as they pave the way toward a sustainable and resilient global future. Let's work together for meaningful change and support the mission of COP29 to protect our planet. Learn more at: https://cop29.az/en/home #COP29 #ClimateAction #Baku2023 #Sustainability #CelticDynamics