• Challenges and opportunities for youth engagement in preparation, development and implementation of NDCs
• The importance of NDCs for intergenerational equity
• Defining Meaningful children and youth engagement in the NDC processes
• Mitigation ambitions in NDCs aimed at aligning with 1.5 C
• Incorporating the best available science into NDCs
• Different Nature based Solutions in NDCs
• Considerations how NDCs will be affecting children and youth in countries long-term

In 2015 countries agreed to prepare, communicate and maintain successive Nationally Determined Contributions under Article 4 paragraph 2 of the Paris Agreement. These are crucial for reaching the goals of the Paris Agreement, as they are outlining the efforts of countries they are planning to undertake to limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, above pre-industrial levels. Yet, global GHG emissions in 2030 associated with the implementation of NDCs announced prior to COP26 would make it likely that warming will exceed 1.5°C during the 21st century^[1]. The next round of Nationally Determined Contributions need to be submitted by 2025. According to UNICEF, only 25% of NDCs are highly child sensitive and only 3% are being developed in a participatory manner with children.^[2]

Since with the current rate of progress, we are not on track to achieve our common climate goals. It is high time we brought in fresh perspectives, new minds, bold visions through the children and youth in the process. As one of the key stakeholders in the climate scenario, Parties alone cannot achieve their commitments without children and youth in the process. Based on the discussions in the first Global Stocktake, Mitigation Work Programme negotiation track and results from the Ocean and Climate dialogue, the aim of this event was to bring together policy makers, negotiators and other crucial stakeholders in order to foster a dialogue for youth inclusion and intergenerational equity in NDCs.
 

Enhance the meaningful children and youth participation and involvement in the NDC development and implementation at national level and align NDCs with youth perspectives through:

•  Advocating for ambitious NDC targets based on science.
•  Defining meaningful youth engagement in the NDC processes
•  Facilitating knowledge sharing and collaboration between youth, scientists, policymakers, and other stakeholders on climate mitigation in NDCs.
•  Empowering youth and children to drive climate action from NDCs formulation to implementation, including through grassroots campaigns, advocacy, and innovative projects.
•  Highlighting the critical role of nature and oceans in climate mitigation and advocating for ambitious biodiversity and ocean-related targets in NDCs

Moderator

• Réka Boróka Ürge

Youth Speakers

• Saida Mammadova
• Muhammad Haseeb

Parties and Observers:

• Ari Adipratomo - Indonesia
• Malang Sambou Manneh - Gambia
• Verania Chao  - UNDP

1. Enhanced children and youth engagement in NDC processes by defining what meaningful youth engagement means and identifying benchmarks to get more children and young people actively involved meaningfully in the development and implementation of NDCs, ensuring that diverse perspectives and priorities are reflected in climate policies.
2. Highlighting existing policy recommendations written by youth to contribute to the development of evidence-based policy recommendations to address NDCs, nature and ocean-related climate challenges.
3. Enabling a productive dialogue between decision-makers and young people to discuss opinions, positions and arguments from different perspectives
4. Highlighting the importance of mitigation, science, child sensitivity and ocean's role in NDCs in order to reach the temperature and equity goals of the Paris Agreement.
5. Strengthened collaboration and partnerships since participants will build relationships with other young people, policymakers, scientists, and representatives from NGOs and businesses, fostering collaboration on NDCs related topics.

• Are youth and children involved in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of your country’s NDC? If not, do you have any future plans for any of these?
• What are some key challenges and areas for improvement for Parties and relevant agencies in engaging children and youth meaningfully in the NDC process? How can these challenges be addressed?
• How is science and appropriate technologies informing adaptation and mitigation for your NDCs?
• How is the country you are representing considering intergenerational equity? i.e., taking into consideration how NDCs commitments affect children and young generations in as far as responsibilities they will be putting on them.
• If applicable:
  • How does your country’s NDC address ocean-related issues, such as marine pollution, climate-induced sea-level rise, and ocean acidification?
  • What are the specific targets and actions included in your NDC to protect marine ecosystems and biodiversity?

Further information on the Youth-led Climate Forums at COP 29 is available here.