As the climate crisis intensifies and climate diplomacy becomes increasingly complex, the call for youth representation in global climate negotiations has never been more urgent. Events like the UNFCCC’s SB62 (Subsidiary Body sessions) serve as critical platforms where international climate policy is shaped, yet youth participation remains largely symbolic unless empowered with meaningful space and voice. For youth from the Global South, especially, inclusion is not just about equity—it’s about justice.
I have had the opportunity to work with several international organizations—including The Society International (Together for Health and Education) and the Global Institute for Sustainable Development—that strive to empower youth at the grassroots level. Through education, advocacy, and media engagement, I’ve seen firsthand how young people are not just passive recipients of climate impacts but active drivers of change. They lead reforestation efforts, innovate green energy solutions, and launch campaigns that blend climate science with civic engagement. Yet, when it comes to formal negotiations like SB62, their contributions are often left out of the room where decisions are made.
That is where media and communication come into play.
As the Head of Youth Climate Communications at Herald Star, I lead a team focused on amplifying youth voices in climate media—especially those from underrepresented and vulnerable regions. Our goal is to make sure stories from communities most affected by climate change are not just told, but heard at policymaking levels. The youth are not just marching in streets or organizing webinars; they are crafting real solutions, building social resilience, and holding governments accountable.
The challenge is that many youth-led organizations and communicators lack access to spaces like SB62. Accreditation hurdles, travel limitations, and financial constraints continue to silence important voices—particularly from South Asia, Africa, and Small Island Developing States. This isn’t just a loss for the youth—it’s a loss for global policymaking.
What SB62 and other UNFCCC events must ensure is that youth participation is not relegated to side events or tokenistic panels. Instead, youth need structured pathways to contribute to technical negotiations, draft proposals, and shape national climate plans (NDCs). Constituencies like YOUNGO, the official youth body under the UNFCCC, have made tremendous strides, but much more is needed in terms of access, training, and representation across all levels of dialogue.
Media has a critical role here. Youth-led journalism platforms like Herald Star provide a channel to document, interpret, and distribute the real stories behind the negotiations. These platforms also help educate local communities on international climate developments and translate technical policy into action-oriented narratives.
Our mission is not just to report from the sidelines, but to serve as connectors between communities and policymakers, ensuring that lived realities are reflected in climate diplomacy. Whether it’s sharing the story of a young girl in Tharparkar fighting desertification or a group of students in Hunza developing micro-hydro projects, these voices must be brought to the global stage.
SB62 is more than just a prelude to COP—it is a place where the groundwork for ambition and accountability is laid. If we want bold, inclusive, and just climate policies, we must place youth not at the periphery of negotiation halls, but at their center.
Now is the time for the UNFCCC, its member states, and the global climate community to take this responsibility seriously. Youth are not the future—they are the present, and they have already proven their ability to lead. The only thing missing is the space to do it.
