Empowering the Next Generation: WMO Youth Climate Action

By Claire Ransom and Maria Julia Chasco, WMO Secretariat

The role of youth in shaping a sustainable future has never been more crucial. In recognition of this, the WMO Executive Council (EC-78) meeting in June took a significant leap forward in empowering young people to take decisive action against climate change by solidifying the Organization’s commitment to youth engagement. The decision of EC-78 recognizes the vital role that young people play in driving climate solutions and calls for the development of a comprehensive Youth Action Plan. Following on the successful WMO Gender Action Plan, this WMO initiative aims to institutionalize youth representation, engagement and outreach. As a technical scientific organization in the United Nations system, WMO has a unique role in equipping youth with the right level of reliable scientific information on climate change.

Why a Youth Action Plan?

Youth are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change – Youth represent a significant portion of the global population. About a quarter of the world’s population – 1.8 billion people are between the ages of 15 and 24 – however, their voices are often underrepresented in climate decision-making processes. This is particularly concerning given that children typically account for 50%–60% of those affected by disasters. Furthermore, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), approximately one billion children are at extremely high risk from the impacts of climate change. Worse, their recent report “The Climate Crisis is a Child Rights Crisis” highlights that climate and environmental hazards, shocks and stresses do not occur in isolation, leaving millions of children exposed to multiple and compounding events. Such vulnerability makes youth engagement not just an option but a necessity in global climate efforts.
Harmonizing existing WMO work with youth – WMOalready engages with children and youth through various partnerships, initiatives and events. We list a few below.

• WMO regularly supports lectures on weather, climate and water in academia such as degree courses in the Brown University (USA) and the Master programme in “European and International Governance (MEIG)” at the University of Geneva (Switzerland)
• WMO was a scientific adviser for the COPE book series, which aims to enhance the disaster resilience of children worldwide
• There is a strong relationship between Young Earth System Scientists (YESS) and the World Weather Research Programme (WWRP)
• WMO joined the “Weather Kids” campaign in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Weather Company.

A more cohesive, integrated and bottom-up strategy built with Members would maximize the impact of WMO’s engagement. A Youth Action Plan is needed to optimize the use of resources, minimize duplication of efforts, and ensure alignment with the broader strategic goals and objectives of WMO.

Providing new opportunities for innovation through improved engagement – Young people often bring new perspectives and innovative ideas to the table. Their creativity and willingness to challenge traditional approaches can lead to new solutions and approaches to climate action. As future leaders and decision-makers, it is essential that youth are given the platform, support and formal recognition they need to be able to contribute meaningfully to climate initiatives. Addressing the current lack of proportional youth representation in WMO projects, expert teams and decision-making bodies will ensure that their voices are heard and acted upon.

55 Agencies are implementing the United Nations’s Youth Strategy – The United Nations established a Youth Strategy in 2018, which 55 entities are currently implementing. As a specialized agency, WMO work on youth engagement should align with and contribute to this strategy. The absence of WMO among the implementing entities points to the need for a more structured approach to youth empowerment within the Organization. The EC-78 decision serves as a catalyst for this alignment, pushing WMO to integrate youth engagement into its core strategies.

What’s next?

Developing the Youth Action Plan – The EC-78 decision is not just an acknowledgement of the importance of youth – it is about opening doors of opportunity for youth to contribute to climate action.

Consultation process for an inclusive approach – To ensure the Action Plan is as tangible, inclusive and effective as possible, the Secretariat is involving focal points across the WMO community to provide diverse perspectives. Consultations will also be held with other United Nations agencies and youth organizations to learn from their experience. The consultation process focuses on:

• Youth participation in decision-making: Creating platforms and opportunities for young people to participate in national and international climate-related decision-making processes so that youth voices are heard and considered in the formulation of climate policies and strategies.
• Training and capacity building: Offering capacity building activities that equip youth with the skills to engage in climate mitigation and adaptation activities. This includes workshops, online courses and hands-on experiences in climate monitoring and data analysis.
• Support for youth-led initiatives: Providing funding, mentorship and technical support for youth-led climate projects. This will help young innovators to turn their ideas into impactful actions that contribute to global climate goals.
• Educational programs: Developing and enhancing educational resources that provide young people with a deep understanding of meteorology, climate science and the impacts of climate change. This will enable them to make informed decisions and advocate effectively for climate action.

United Nations events to support youth climate action – In parallel, WMO has started to engage with youth events, such as the recent Summit of the Future and the upcoming 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to expand its youth network and learn from the incredible work already being done. For example, a recent consultation session entitled COP29 Presidency Youth Climate Champion Consultations with Youth in UNFCCC Constituencies established several areas of work relevant to WMO:

• Youth Climate Forum
• Global Youth Statement
• Creation of spaces for intergenerational dialogue, especially with scientists
• Education and training on climate change for children and youth attending COP
• Establishment of an “open national youth delegates programme”.

Going forward

The draft Youth Action Plan will be presented for consideration to EC-79 in June 2025.

It will be a testament to WMO’s unwavering commitment to empowering the next generation of climate leaders. By providing youth with the tools, knowledge and platforms they need to make a difference, WMO is fostering a more inclusive approach to climate action and ensuring that the voices of those who will inherit the planet are heard and acted upon. As we move forward, the active participation of youth in climate action will be crucial in shaping a sustainable and resilient future for all.

WMO urges all stakeholders, from governments to civil society, to support and amplify youth-led climate initiatives. Together, we can empower young people to lead the change in the global fight against climate change for a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come.