Youth engagement in NDCs is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s a necessity. As the world grapples with worsening climate crises, the role of young people in influencing and shaping Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement has become more vital than ever. This year, a major opportunity has emerged through the Regional Consultations on Youth Engagement in NDCs, hosted by the YOUNGO Working Group on NDCs, in collaboration with UNDP, IIYFCC, and the Youth4Climate Engagement Platform.
This blog will guide you through what NDCs are, why your voice is essential, how to participate in the consultation, and how youth engagement can lead to more inclusive, ambitious climate policies worldwide.
What Are NDCs and Why Are They Important?
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are country-specific climate action plans that define how a nation intends to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. NDCs are the backbone of the Paris Agreement, where countries commit to limiting global temperature rise to below 2°C—and ideally 1.5°C. Despite their significance, young people often remain excluded from NDC design and implementation. Their insights, innovations, and lived experiences are rarely reflected in national strategies.
But that’s changing.
Why Youth Engagement in NDCs Matters
Youth are at the frontlines of climate action—organizing movements, launching sustainability startups, driving eco-education, and holding leaders accountable. Yet, policy spaces remain highly technical and inaccessible.
When youth engagement in NDCs is taken seriously, countries benefit from:
- Innovative ideas grounded in local realities
- Broader representation of vulnerable populations
- Long-term vision from future leaders
Moreover, youth involvement fosters public ownership, builds policy transparency, and promotes social equity.
About the Regional Consultations on Youth Engagement in NDCs
These consultations offer a formal pathway for young people like you to contribute directly to national climate strategies.
Organizers:
- YOUNGO (UNFCCC’s Youth Constituency)
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
- International Indigenous Youth Forum on Climate Change (IIYFCC)
- Youth4Climate Engagement Platform
Purpose:
- To identify gaps in current NDCs
- To gather youth perspectives on challenges and policy recommendations
- To create a global report to influence decision-makers
How to Participate in the Consultation
📌 Step-by-Step Guide:
- Understand what NDCs are
- Join the consultation group on the Youth4Climate Engagement Platform.
- Engage in regional discussions:
- Share challenges youth face in your region
- Suggest ideas to connect youth and policymakers
- Submit your vision for inclusive, actionable NDCs
- Fill in the consultation survey to have your insights recorded and reflected in global climate advocacy.
Barriers Youth Face in NDC Engagement
Despite their motivation and ideas, many young people struggle to influence climate policy due to:
- Limited access to government processes.
- Lack of technical policy knowledge.
- Underrepresentation in formal dialogues.
- Language and cultural barriers.
By strengthening youth engagement in NDCs, these barriers can be dismantled through more inclusive frameworks.
Bridging the Gap: Youth & Policymakers
Here’s how youth and governments can collaborate better:
- Establish national youth climate councils.
- Embed youth quotas in climate delegations.
- Provide technical training on climate governance.
- Fund youth-led initiatives to implement NDC priorities.
What Can Youth Bring to NDCs?
- Community-driven solutions.
- Digital activism and awareness campaigns.
- Resilience projects in underserved areas.
- Climate-smart agriculture and local entrepreneurship.
Youth engagement in NDCs ensures that climate plans are not only top-down but co-created from the ground up.
What Support Do Youth Need?
To meaningfully contribute to NDCs, young people need:
- Mentorship programs from climate experts.
- Accessible policy guides in multiple languages.
- Funding platforms for youth innovations.
- Inclusive participation mechanisms (digital and in-person).
Your Turn: Make Your Voice Count
This is a global moment for youth to shape the future of national climate goals.
✅ Join the official consultation now:
🔗 Youth Engagement in NDCs – Learn & Participate
FAQs on Youth Engagement in NDCs
Q1: What are NDCs?
A: Nationally Determined Contributions are each country’s plan to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change under the Paris Agreement.
Q2: Why is youth engagement in NDCs important?
A: Youth bring innovation, urgency, and long-term thinking to climate policy, making it more effective and inclusive.
Q3: Is this consultation open to everyone?
A: It’s designed for young people globally. Anyone interested in youth climate advocacy can join.
Q4: Do I need policy experience to participate?
A: No. Resources are available to help you learn and contribute meaningfully.
Q5: Will my voice actually influence policy?
A: Yes. Your input feeds into advocacy documents shared with UNFCCC bodies and national policymakers.
Conclusion
Youth engagement in NDCs is about more than participation—it’s about power, inclusion, and accountability. It’s time to move from the sidelines into the center of climate policy.
Let your voice be part of the solution.
