For many years, young people have advocated for their meaningful engagement in the UNFCCC processes. Since being extended constituency status in 2009, and formalised in 2011, YOUNGO, as the official children and youth constituency in the UNFCCC process, among other youth groups, have consistently advanced these priorities. However, Parties are increasingly recognizing the crucial role that young people play in addressing and responding to climate change. At COP 26 (Decision 18/CP.26), Parties acknowledged the growing interest and engagement of youth in climate action and the critical role of youth as agents of change and calling for further enhancement of youth participation in climate change processes and in unleashing the potential of Action for Climate Empowerment. The Glasgow Climate Pact (Decision 1/CP.26) urged Parties to ensure meaningful youth participation and representation in climate decision-making at the local, national and international levels. Following this, the COP27 Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan (Decision 1/CP.27) encouraged the inclusion of youth in Party delegations to UNFCCC.  

COP27 also marked a significant step forward in youth inclusion with the creation of the COP Youth Envoy role, held by Dr. Omnia El Omrani, to enhance youth engagement in the COP, and the establishment of the Children and Youth Pavilion. The COP28 Presidency demonstrated their commitment to children and youth inclusion by appointing H.E. Shamma Al Mazrui as their Youth Climate Champion, a high-level position within the COP Presidency senior leadership, with an office mandated to enhance youth inclusion across the COP processes. 

At COP 28, recognizing the opportunity for future COP Presidencies, Parties decided to establish the role of the PYCC, between the ages of 18 and 35 to be appointed to act on behalf of the COP Presidency to facilitate the engagement of meaningful, inclusive engagement of children and youth in climate action, including within the UNFCCC process. The UAE Consensus institutionalizes this Presidency Youth Climate Champion role under the UNFCCC process so that each COP Presidency will have a dedicated advocate for young people within the Presidency leadership, acting as a bridge to decision makers. 

1. What is the PYCC and who does the PYCC represent? 

The Presidency Youth Climate Champion (PYCC) is the Presidency’s representative appointed to act on behalf of the COP Presidency to facilitate the enhancement of the meaningful, inclusive engagement of children and youth in climate action, including within the UNFCCC process. The PYCC’s role is a facilitative role. They may speak on behalf of the Presidency or in their own capacity and do not speak on behalf of or represent children and young people. (Decision 16/CP.28, paragraph 6)  

2. When was the first PYCC appointed? 

 A decision by Parties to institutionalize the role of the Presidency Youth Climate Champion (Decision 16/CP.28) was made at COP28. The COP29 Presidency was the first Presidency to appoint a Presidency Youth Climate Champion, Leyla Hasanova, under this decision. 

3. How is the PYCC selected and how long do they serve? 

When Parties adopted the decision on the institutionalization of the PYCC role, they did not specify a selection process. Therefore, the PYCC selection process is determined by each COP Presidency. (Decision 16/CP.28, paragraph 6)  

Each PYCC serves a two-year term, with the outgoing Presidency Youth Climate Champion using the second year of the term to support the champion appointed by the incoming Presidency. (Decision 16/CP.28, paragraph 7) 

4. What is the primary role of the PYCC? 

The PYCC’s role is to facilitate the enhancement of the meaningful, inclusive engagement of children and youth in climate action, including within the UNFCCC process. (Decision 16/CP.28, paragraph 6)  

For instance, COP29 PYCC facilitated support for children and youth participation in COP29, including by offering subsidized accommodation for over 100 delegates to enable their participation in YOUNGO’s Conference of Youth (COY19) and COP29. As a liaison within the COP Presidency, the PYCC can escalate children and youth requests and priorities to ensure meaningful participation and their incorporation into the Presidency agenda, including in Presidency-led events, activities and initiatives.  

5. Does the PYCC work alongside children and youth groups and constituencies? 

Whilst respecting the independent role of YOUNGO, the official Children and Youth Constituency of the UNFCCC, the PYCC coordinates with and supports, where appropriate, YOUNGO, in addition to those within all nine NGO constituencies and national delegations in the UNFCCC process. The PYCC with guidance from the UNFCCC secretariat is required to work closely with the official children and youth constituency (YOUNGO) to avoid duplication of efforts, whilst also respecting the independence of the constituency. (Decision 16/CP.28, paragraph 8)   

6. How does the PYCC role differentiate from YOUNGO?  

YOUNGO as a constituency supports children and youth efforts by coordinating participation, amplifying efforts and collaborating on initiatives among organizations, movements, and individuals, strengthening their capacity to engage in negotiations and UNFCCC mechanisms. The PYCC as a representative of the Presidency, plays a facilitative role including by supporting in connecting youth-led initiatives to Presidency processes, encouraging invitations to children and youth in relevant forums and elevating youth-related priorities within Presidency-led activities, while respecting the independent role of the official children and youth constituency. 

7. Where does funding for the PYCC activities come from? 

Funding for the work of the PYCC implemented on behalf of the COP Presidency follows the same funding mechanisms as other COP Presidency-led initiatives. If possible, the PYCC may engage in fundraising activities in collaboration with other children and youth NGOs and mechanisms to mobilize support for the implementation of specific child- and youth-led activities, such as the Global Conference of Youth organised by YOUNGO and the Children and Youth Pavilion at the COP, and to support meaningful participation of children and youth at the COP.  

The budget for the secretariat support to the PYCC and other mandates related to children and youth is set out in the programme budget for each biennium in a project that also includes support to delivering mandates related to Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) and gender. This is funding from voluntary contributions by Parties and non-Party stakeholders and not from the core contributions by Parties.  

In terms of fundraising, as a member of the Children and Youth Pavilion Steering Committee, the PYCC supports in liaising with the COP Presidency and external partners towards efforts in securing funding and facilitating the development and operation of the Pavilion.  

8. What is the role of the UNFCCC secretariat in relation to the PYCC? 

The role of the UNFCCC secretariat is to provide advice to the PYCC including on ways to avoid duplication with the work of YOUNGO and general support in implementing decisions of the COP/CMA related to children and youth. This support is provided through the PYCC Support Team established through the standard UNFCCC modalities and procedures under the Empowerment Unit of the secretariat. (Decision 16/CP.28, paragraph 8,9)   

9. Who does the PYCC report to? 

Given this is a Party-driven process, as per the current decision, there is no mandate requesting the COP Presidencies to report to Parties on the activities implemented by their nominated PYCC. Therefore, each COP Presidency can determine, if so desired, their preferred format of reporting on the work of the PYCC.