7-B3. Youth engagement with NAPs

The world is home to the largest population of young people in history. Climate change affects young people both directly and indirectly through disruptions in the social, economic, and environmental determinants of physical and mental health, particularly those in developing counties which account to 87% of young people globally. As young people will experience the consequences of climate change the longest, it is important to encourage youth participation in the formulation and implementation of adaptation policies and actions, including National Adaptation Plans (NAP), to foster innovative climate-resilient solutions.

COP28 marked the occasion to adopt the Global Goal on Adaptation. The decision stresses the urgency of accelerating the implementation of adaptation action and support, with provisions related to planning, implementation, and monitoring, evaluation and learning of NAPs. The decision also “encourages efforts by Parties to broaden climate education and to empower people, in particular children and youth, with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes necessary for active action to combat climate change”.

GCA as a Solutions Broker for Youth Engagement with Adaptation Action
In 2023, the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) organized six regional forums engaging over 6,500 young people from 137 countries to collect youth perspectives on adaptation action at global, national, and local levels, including insights on NAPs.

NAP Expo 2024: Consultation on Youth Engagement with National Adaptation PlansDuring NAP Expo 2024, GCA’s Youth Leadership and Education program, in collaboration with the UNFCCC Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG), YOUNGO (the official youth constituency to the UNFCCC), youth networks from Bangladesh, the International Center for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD), and other development partners will hold a multi-stakeholder consultation. This consultation will bring together governments, UN bodies, and youth organizations to discuss youth engagement with the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of adaptation policies including NAPs and adaptation action. The consultation methodology will include:

• Panel Discussion: A panel composed of government representatives, young people, civil society organizations, and development partners will showcase good practices on youth engagement with national adaptation policies.
• Open Dialogue: Participants will discuss guiding questions and interact to provide their input with the speakers and audience.

 

Key Objectives:

• Identify gaps and needs of governments and policymakers to facilitate youth inclusion in adaptation efforts across policies, projects, programs, and actions.
• Showcase best practices and solutions, specifically focusing on African countries and addressing the diverse values, perspectives, and priorities of young people, to ensure their inclusion in the formulation, development, implementation, and evaluation of NAPs
• Facilitate Knowledge Exchange, Technical Assistance, and Collaboration: Facilitate knowledge exchange, technical assistance, and collaboration between government officials, young people, policymakers, and experts, particularly from Least Developed Countries, on promoting youth inclusion in national adaptation planning, implementation, and evaluation for enhanced adaptation action.

Guiding Questions:

• How can young people be involved in the design, implementation, and evaluation of national adaptation policies?
• What are the needs of young people to effectively engage in the formulation and implementation of adaptation actions and policies, including NAPs?
• What are best practices and initiatives related to including young people in adaptation policy planning, implementation, and action?
• What are the best sources of communication to better involve young people in NAPs?

Outcomes
The consultation will serve the development of GCA’s ‘Guide on Youth Engagement with National Adaptation Plans’ centered on developing and least developed countries with a focus on Africa to be launched at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

 

AGENDA

Opening remarks

Gabriel Kpaka, Chair of the UNFCCC LEG

 

Setting the Scene

Adriana Valenzuela, Thematic Lead Youth Leadership and Education, GCA

 

Challenges and opportunities to engage young people with the adaptation agenda

• Joyee Chakma, GCA CEO’s Youth Advisory Panel 2024, Bangladesh
• Sadia Jahan Rothi, Co-founder, Eco-Network Bangladesh

 

YOUNGO’s review on National Adaptation Plans – Key findings and recommendations

• Rachel Juel, Global North Contact Point Adaptation Working Group YOUNGO
• Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator, YouthNet for Climate Justice; YOUNGO

 

Mobilizing Youth on the NAP through active Communication and knowledge – The Example of São Tomé and Príncipe

• Elton da Glória, NAP-STP

 

Methodologies to foster youth engagement in adaptation

• Saqib Hub, Managing Director, International Center for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD)

 

Experiences and lessons learnt in engaging young people throughout the NAP process

• Olaide Bankole, IISD/NAP Global Network
• Aisha Wahab, SLYCAN Trust

 

Open Dialogue: Identifying approaches and methodologies in youth engagement with NAPs

Guiding questions:

• What methodologies can be used to foster youth engagement with NAPs?
• How best to communicate with young people to better involve them in NAPs?
• Through what activities can young people play a role in the development, implementation, and evaluation of NAPs?

 

Closing Remarks

• Tapan Kumar Biswas, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bangladesh
• Dharitri Kumar Sarkar, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bangladesh

 

Presentation materials:

GCA Youth Leadership and Education program

 

CONTACT DETAILS 

For more information, kindly contact Adriana Valenzuela, Youth Leadership & Education Thematic Lead at adriana.valenzuela@gca.org.