November— a month that marks a pivotal moment for young people, symbolising more than the ceremonial commemoration of the African Union (AU)’s African Youth Month (AYM). It also represents a profound call to action at the nexus of climate security, generational agency, and continental transformation. It has been bookended by significant global engagements such as South Africa’s upcoming G20 presidency in 2025. This is not merely a diplomatic milestone for the country’s growing economy, but also a strategic opportunity to “pave the way for sustainable finance and debt reform in global governance” supported by the AU’s established permanent seat. This has also been an opportunity to amplify and engage with policy contributions from the voices of a continent’s most dynamic demographic; young people, on matters relating to multilateralism, trade and industry, climate change, peacebuilding and conflict mediation amongst others.
In the landscape of climate action however, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) also hosted its 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) in Baku, Azerbaijan from 10-22 November 2024, forming the basis for international climate financing towards adaptation and intergenerational climate justice with a focus on principles of equity and human rights. This, however, has led to widespread disappointment among the majority of the developing countries, Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Many have deemed the COP outcome a “failure” or ‘a joke”, due to its shortfalls in achieving a more ambitious new collective quantified goal from the developed countries. Perhaps this perspective does seem rather reasonable considering the intersectional nature of the climate crisis and its impact on various components of any functioning society. The lack of sufficient resources and funding also exacerbates challenges related to mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage, peace and security, migration, food shortages and the just transition.
A Not-So Finance COP
Climate security for developing countries in particular, transcends traditional environmental discourse due to culture and geographical location. It encompasses fundamental questions of survival, opportunity and learning, and an intergenerational angle to equity that is evidently influenced by the decisions agreed upon in the halls of conferences at a national and global scale. These are direct interventions that shape the lived experiences of millions of young people, especially given that 60% of the continent’s population is under 25 years of age. Discussions on just transition mechanisms for example, hold profound significance for African youth, with the shift towards renewable energy and sustainable economic models representing not just an environmental imperative, but a potential demographic dividend to tap into.
This is why efforts towards COP29 represented an important opportunity to secure commitments on climate financing and technology transfer, aimed at unlocking emerging ventures and enhancing green skills for young African innovators and entrepreneurs as solution-led partners. It is disappointing that the climate summit underdelivered on what should have been an honest consideration of historical injustices and existing climate commitments, because the survival of future generations depends heavily on these agreements to ensure a greener world for all.
It is disappointing that the climate summit underdelivered on what should have been an honest consideration of historical injustices and existing climate commitments, because the survival of future generations depends heavily on these agreements to ensure a greener world for all.
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The conference agreed to triple climate finance to developing nations under the Paris Agreement, increasing the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) from $100 billion to $300 billion annually by 2035. However, for developing countries, particularly in Africa, this goal falls short of the proposed floor of $1.3 trillion per annum needed for effective climate action. This funding is crucial for initiatives such as the just transition, implementation of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), building on ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by 2025, and strengthening gender components, action for climate empowerment (ACE), and addressing loss and damage. The insufficient funding is not only seen as an affront to the Global South, whose contribution to GHG emissions is minimal, but also as a factor that exacerbates environmental vulnerabilities. These include precarity around sustainable agriculture, water and energy access, increased conflict due to climate-induced migration, and the need to upskill young professionals into robust positions of leadership and influence that drive effective decision-making.
Beyond Rhetoric: Youth as Advocacy Architects
It seems, on a grand scale though, that African youth have begun reframing the climate narrative from a state of vulnerability to one of agency; more-so through advocacy and storytelling. Parts of this have been seen from the establishment of forward-looking documents such as the South African Youth Climate Action Plan (SAYCAP) or the Pact of the Future, to facilitate avenues that will inform policy in achieving key areas of the G20 (T20 & Y20), Youth Peace and Security Agenda (YPS), and even COP30 for example.
With a focus on amplifying African perspectives on climate justice, showcasing youth-led climate innovations, and challenging global narratives on development and sustainability, and demonstrating the continent’s capacity for innovative problem-solving, South Africa (really) finds itself in a strategically advantageous position, by acting in line with the nature of its progressive constitution, reaffirming that “nothing about us, without us” remains a guiding principle.
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With a focus on amplifying African perspectives on climate justice, showcasing youth-led climate innovations, and challenging global narratives on development and sustainability, and demonstrating the continent’s capacity for innovative problem-solving, South Africa (really) finds itself in a strategically advantageous position, by acting in line with the nature of its progressive constitution, reaffirming that “nothing about us, without us” remains a guiding principle. This approach is particularly significant in global governance discourse around decolonising the financial architecture for its inherent development towards economic stability, peacebuilding, trade and industry, specifically through the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) towards ‘The Africa We Want’. A collaborative effort across all spheres of society is therefore urgently needed to integrate these priorities into the presidency’s plan to address the challenges arising from poverty, unemployment, and inequality, as these issues hinder the fulfilment of basic needs. The good news, however, is that the groundwork is already in place for youth organisations to formalise and integrate themselves within these key priority outcomes, to serve as effective constituents in driving the G20 agenda forward, bringing a vital youthful perspective into project implementation.
Conclusion
Young people have consistently been recognised as transformative agents of change, despite frequent scepticism about their radical approaches to reform and institutional transformation. It is therefore only natural that they should be at the forefront of influencing and driving climate financing, advocating for human rights and justice, embracing technology and innovation, and steering global power systems for the betterment of future generations. This will position the continent as a rising force in geopolitics within the new world order. This coming year should fundamentally be about alignment and reclaiming agency, challenging existing paradigms, and building a future that is sustainable, just, and equitable. These efforts should align closely with the priorities of Agenda 2063, particularly in realising the goal of fully engaging and empowering women and youth in all aspects of life. Leveraging the women, peace and security agenda, drawing lessons from India and Brazil as BRICS member countries that recently hosted the G20 in 2023 and 2024, and striving for effective outcomes at COP30. Together, these actions may be deemed as a start for the commitment to reimagine Africa’s position and [its] relationship with the rest of the world.
Kopano Moraka Junior Climate Negotiator and Programme Officer at the Foundation for Human Rights
