COP31 youth delegates seek role in climate decisions

Climate · First reported 12 Nov, 04:49 · Updated 10:07

Image: Wikimedia Commons · Rekia1991 · CC BY-SA 4.0

At COP31 in Antalya, Ireland’s youth delegates are part of the official delegation and have consulted young people in Ireland, with the fossil-fuel transition a frequent theme. The Children and Youth Pavilion is described as the only fully youth-led space at COP31 and is in its fifth consecutive year. Ireland is leading EU negotiations as EU Presidency, while the two Irish delegates also lead the EU climate youth delegates group.

Ireland’s youth delegates Fatima Elzahra Ismail and Adam Ó Ceallaigh are at COP31 in Antalya and consulted young people in Ireland about their priorities.
They said the transition away from fossil fuels came up often, including concerns about where critical minerals come from and avoiding a just transition built on exploitation.
Ireland is leading EU negotiations at the summit as part of its EU Presidency; the two delegates also lead the EU climate youth delegates group.
The Children and Youth Pavilion is described as the only fully youth-led space at COP31 and is in its fifth consecutive year.
The pavilion’s opening brought together youth climate champions, institutional partners and frontline activists; it has 10 young spokespeople aged 14 to 31.
A Samoan activist said youth participation is essential because young people will implement decisions made at the conference.