Who’s missing from climate governance? : Global South youth participation and mobilisation

Abstract

Since the Fridays for Future movement, media coverage of Youth environmental leaders has been on the rise. However, the work of young environmentalists beyond the EU often does not receive the same attention despite its significant impact in tackling issues like the climate crisis. The brief covers two broad areas, namely: (1) common barriers to Transnational Youth Participation and Mobilisation; and (2) potential solutions to overcome these barriers. This policy brief consolidates the insights and recommendations collated in a high-level policy dialogue with Young Environmental leaders from the Global South, which took place in April 2021 at the European University Institute, Florence (co-organised by the EUI’s School of Transnational Governance and Department of Law). Recommendations focus on the need to elevate the voices of groups that are most affected by climate change, and in particular to address structural inequalities that prevent the participation of young environmental leaders from the Global South in decision making.