Preamble
We, the youth of South Africa, comprising nearly one-third of the country’s population, recalling the principle of intergenerational equity in Article 3.1 of the Convention and the recognition in the Paris Agreement of the rights of children and of intergenerational equity, recognise that young people bear the least historical responsibility for the climate crisis yet will live with its consequences the longest.
We recognise Article 12 of the Paris Agreement and the Glasgow work programme on Action for Climate Empowerment as the basis for meaningful youth participation, and welcome South Africa’s Climate Change Act (Act 22 of 2024) and its second Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
We are concerned that progress in policy has not been matched by implementation, finance and accountability. Noting this year’s theme being Dialogue, Consensus and Action, our statement focuses on the implementation strategies that hold parties accountable. We call upon parties to the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to place young people at the centre of decision-making on the matters set out below. In our capacity as students, researchers, children, and future leaders, we take it upon ourselves to help make the Earth a more habitable environment for future generations.
While we note with satisfaction the efforts made to address the climate crisis, we emphasise the importance of prioritising youth voices in these initiatives.
This statement, in turn, addresses:
- Accountability and Monitoring
- Climate Finance
- Action for Climate Empowerment
- Just Transition Mechanism
- UAE Just Transition Work Programme
- Loss and Damage
- Adaptation
- Mitigation
The process of developing the youth statement was convened by Youth@SAIIA. The statement was presented at the National Ministerial Stakeholder Consultation to Minister David Maynier of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment and the South African Party Delegation to COP31 on 16 October 2026 in Johannesburg.
For any queries, please email youth@saiia.org.za.
