UN Sec-Gen’s Youth Climate Advisors Urge Green Jobs-led COVID-19 Recovery; Warn Against Greenwashing, Polluter Bail-outs

UN Secretary-General’s youth climate advisors urge green jobs-led COVID-19 recovery; warn against greenwashing, polluter bail-outs

New report today sets out most urgent climate actions for world leaders in 2021, amid rising climate and unemployment anxiety among “Generation COVID”

New York, 16 December -– The need for greater investments in green jobs is at the top of the youth climate agenda for 2021 according to a new report, compiled by the UN Secretary General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change and published today.

According to the youth advisors, there is increasing anxiety among ‘Generation COVID’ about the dual climate and the youth unemployment crises, combined with a lack of prioritization in COVID stimulus packages of green jobs and a just transition to a resilient, net-zero emissions global economy. 

The summary report was compiled by the first official youth advisors to the UN Secretary-General on climate change and presents the top climate concerns for young people and the most urgent actions needed by world leaders in 2021.

According to the report:

• Investing in green jobs and training, and empowering youth entrepreneurs is critical, as is holding decision-makers to account and prevent ‘greenwashing’.
• Polluter bail-outs with public money are causing widespread anger among young people, and must cease.
• A just transition to a net-zero emissions future is essential, including for communities that currently rely on fossil fuels. Instead of bailing out polluters, governments must provide resources to reskill affected workers.
• Indigenous people and local communities must have their rights respected and enforced, and be included in climate action decision-making, so their traditional knowledge can be harnessed in the fight against climate change.
• The need for climate education, including diverse perspectives, is crucial for climate action, including LGBTQ+, indigenous and traditional people, people with special needs, and refugees and displaced persons.
• Protection of forests and ecosystems is essential, as is recognizing the potential of oceans to tackle the climate crisis, including through a global network of ocean sanctuaries. Laws must be strengthened, and violations punished, under international law.

“The report shows that the climate and health crises are unfolding together with the youth unemployment crisis, and there is a lot of concern that green jobs and a just transition are not being prioritized in COVID stimulus packages. Many young people are worried that progress on these fronts can be held back by greenwashing,” said Vladislav Kaim, a member of the Youth Advisory Group.

The report follows an extensive consultation process with young climate leaders from all regions on the Secretary-General’s calls to broaden the global coalition for a net-zero emissions future and recover better from the pandemic to drive forwards all 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The summary report - including other priority concerns and calls-to-action - can be seen here.

The Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change was established in July 2020 by UN Secretary-General António Guterres to provide frank and fearless advice on the implementation of the Secretary-General’s climate change strategy for 2020-21. It consists of seven young climate leaders and activists, drawn from all regions of the world.

More information on the Youth Advisory Group, including its members, can be found https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/youth-in-action

Two members of the Youth Advisory Group will join a virtual press conference (Meeting ID: 979 9923 0428) hosted by Climate Action Network for key youth constituencies tomorrow (Thursday 17 December) at 14:30 UTC & London / 15:30 Brussels / 9:30 Washington D.C. / 20:00 New Delhi / 17:30 Nairobi. The press conference is open to all press and registration is not required.

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