YOUTH ACTION FOR CHANGE AND EUROPEAN CLIMATE PACT 

The future of our planet is in young people’s hands – and many are taking action. Even small steps, such as reducing your meat consumption or swapping the car for your bike, can make a big difference. Young people are also finding their voice in demanding more climate action from decision-makers right across Europe.

Now, more than ever, is the time for the next generation to speak up and push for climate solutions. However, although 96% of young Europeans agree that climate change is a “serious problem”, only 64% of those aged 15 to 25 in the EU have taken steps to fight it in the past six months.

Perhaps you too are in this situation – committed to acting for the planet, but unsure about how to get involved?

The European Climate Pact is a movement of people united around a common cause, each taking steps in their own worlds to build a more sustainable Europe. Launched by the European Commission, the Pact is part of the European Green Deal and is helping the EU to meet its goal to become climate-neutral by 2050. 

Everyone has a place in the Pact. You can get involved whether you are just starting out on your climate action journey or already working to make a difference in your world. You can take part as an individual or as an organisation – for example, a city, a community or an association.

“Young people are already playing an active role in addressing the climate crisis,” says French Climate Pact Ambassador Léna Prouchet. “We are changing our personal habits and lifestyles, and also proposing innovative solutions to tackle this crisis at a societal level.” Léna drew inspiration from a course on food policy she took while at university in the south of France. “Together with a group of friends, we collected leftover food from local markets and stores after closing,” she recalls. “We then prepared the food and gave it away for free, from a table just outside my university building. People were invited to come and grab a juice or a salad. We also put up some posters next to the table, which included key facts on food waste. The experience allowed people to understand what we were doing and started some very interesting conversations.”

Climate Pact Ambassadors are also making a difference in their local communities, organising and taking part in activities such as river clean-ups, recycling and tree planting schemes.

Are you ready to act for the climate? Here is what you can do: Spread the word – become a Climate Pact Ambassador!

European Climate Pact Ambassadors inform, inspire and support climate policy and action in their communities and networks. To qualify as a Pact Ambassador, you must meet the requirements below. If you do not meet them, you are welcome to become a ‘Friend of the European Climate Pact’ (more information below).

Pact Ambassador appointments are for an initial one year period, with the opportunity to apply for renewal each subsequent year. Pact Ambassadors:

• Lead by example: showcase your dedication to the fight against climate change by taking climate and environmental action.
• Inspire others: encourage citizens, organisations, and regional and national governments to get involved in climate action. Urge relevant stakeholders and policymakers to deploy ambitious measures and mechanisms to accelerate systemic changes.
• Connect with others: team up with like-minded individuals, collaborate with stakeholders from across Europe and share information on EU climate policy and action.

To get a better idea of what our Climate Pact Ambassadors do, read three Ambassador stories in our article. Find out more about the current Ambassadors on our webpage.

Furthermore, feed your ideas to EU policymakers – organise a Peer Parliament. And keep an eye out for youth-focused Climate Pact events taking place this year.

(Source: European Climate Pact, European Commission)