Youth Climate Activism: A New Political Force

Global climate policy has evolved significantly since the first international climate negotiations in the early 1990s, reflecting growing scientific understanding and public concern about climate change. The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, represented a breakthrough in international cooperation, with nearly every country committing to reduce emissions and limit global warming. Unlike its predecessor, the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement includes both developed and developing nations and establishes a framework for progressively increasing ambition over time through regular stocktakes and updated commitments.

However, significant gaps remain between countries' stated ambitions and the actions needed to limit warming to 1.5°C or even 2°C above pre-industrial levels. According to analyses by Climate Action Tracker, current policies put the world on track for approximately 2.7°C of warming by 2100, far above the Paris Agreement targets. Many countries have announced net-zero targets for mid-century, but near-term policies are often insufficient to put them on track to achieve these goals, and implementation gaps persist between announced policies and actual outcomes.

The annual Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings provide a forum for advancing international climate action, though progress has been uneven. Recent COPs have focused on issues including loss and damage finance for climate-vulnerable countries, phase-down of fossil fuels, and mobilizing climate finance at the scale needed. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change secretariat coordinates these negotiations and tracks countries' progress toward their commitments.

Some countries are demonstrating that ambitious climate action is compatible with economic prosperity and can create new opportunities for workers and communities. Denmark aims to reduce emissions by 70% by 2030 and has become a global leader in wind energy, with the sector creating thousands of well-paying jobs. Costa Rica generates nearly 100% of its electricity from renewable sources and has set ambitious goals for forest conservation and restoration. The United Kingdom has cut emissions by over 40% from 1990 levels while growing its economy, demonstrating that decoupling economic growth from emissions is achievable.

Cities and regional governments are often leading where national governments lag, implementing innovative policies and demonstrating what is possible. The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group represents mayors of nearly 100 major cities committed to meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement, collectively representing over 700 million people and one quarter of global GDP. Many U.S. states and cities have set ambitious climate targets even when federal policy has been less supportive, with California and New York leading the way on renewable energy mandates and building efficiency standards.

The private sector is increasingly active in climate policy advocacy, recognizing both the risks of unmitigated climate change and the economic opportunities in the clean energy transition. Major corporations are setting science-based emissions targets and investing in renewable energy, while some are advocating for stronger government policies that would create a level playing field. Industry coalitions like the We Mean Business Coalition are pushing for more ambitious climate action, though questions persist about whether corporate commitments are being matched by meaningful action.

Civil society organizations play a crucial role in holding governments and corporations accountable for their climate commitments. Groups like 350.org and the Sierra Club have mobilized millions of people for climate action, while think tanks and research organizations provide analysis and policy recommendations. Youth activists, inspired by figures like Greta Thunberg, have brought new energy and urgency to the climate movement, demanding that older generations take responsibility for addressing the crisis they have created.

Carbon pricing has emerged as one of the most important policy tools for reducing emissions in an economically efficient manner. By putting a price on carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, these policies create economic incentives to reduce emissions across the economy while allowing flexibility in how reductions are achieved. The World Bank's Carbon Pricing Dashboard tracks the growing number of carbon pricing initiatives, which now cover approximately 23% of global emissions through carbon taxes, emissions trading systems, or both.

Regulatory approaches remain essential complements to carbon pricing, particularly in sectors where price signals alone may be insufficient to drive change. Efficiency standards for vehicles, appliances, and buildings have driven significant emissions reductions while saving consumers money on energy bills. Renewable portfolio standards require utilities to source increasing shares of electricity from clean sources, providing market certainty that supports investment. Phase-outs of coal-fired power plants are accelerating the energy transition in many countries, often driven by a combination of economic factors and environmental regulations.

Public investment in research, development, and deployment of clean technologies is critical for driving innovation and bringing new solutions to market. Government support was essential for the dramatic cost reductions in solar and wind power over the past decade, and continued investment is needed for emerging technologies including green hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, and advanced nuclear power. International cooperation on research through initiatives like Mission Innovation can accelerate progress and spread benefits globally.

Addressing emissions from land use and agriculture presents unique challenges that require tailored policy approaches. Protecting and restoring forests can sequester carbon while providing co-benefits for biodiversity and local communities. Sustainable agriculture practices can reduce emissions from farming while improving soil health and resilience to climate change. Financial incentives and technical assistance can help farmers adopt these practices, while changes in consumption patterns, particularly reducing food waste and shifting toward plant-based diets, can reduce the environmental footprint of the food system.

Climate change is fundamentally an issue of justice and equity, with those who have contributed least to the problem often facing the greatest risks. Low-income communities, indigenous peoples, and residents of developing countries bear disproportionate burdens from climate impacts while having the fewest resources to adapt. Wealthy nations that industrialized first bear greater historical responsibility for accumulated emissions and have more resources for both mitigation and adaptation. The concept of 'common but differentiated responsibilities' in international climate negotiations reflects this reality, though translating the principle into practice remains contentious.

The climate justice movement has highlighted connections between climate change and other forms of inequality and injustice. Frontline communities often face multiple overlapping burdens from pollution, poverty, and climate impacts, a phenomenon sometimes called 'environmental racism.' The environmental justice movement has advocated for policies that address these intersecting challenges and ensure that the benefits of climate action, including clean energy jobs and improved air quality, are shared equitably rather than flowing primarily to wealthy communities.

Financing for climate action in developing countries remains inadequate despite pledges from wealthy nations. Developed countries pledged $100 billion per year in climate finance by 2020, but this target has not been met, and estimates suggest that actual needs are many times larger. Developing countries need support for both mitigation—building clean energy systems and protecting forests—and adaptation—protecting communities from climate impacts. Loss and damage finance for impacts that cannot be adapted to is an emerging priority in international negotiations, with a new fund established at COP27 though details of its operation remain to be worked out.

Ensuring a just transition for workers and communities affected by the shift away from fossil fuels is essential for building broad political support for climate action. Coal miners, oil field workers, and others whose livelihoods depend on fossil fuel industries need economic alternatives and support for retraining. Communities that have built their economies around fossil fuel extraction may need assistance in diversifying. The International Labour Organization and other bodies have developed frameworks for just transition that can guide policy, but implementation remains uneven and often insufficient.