Formulated by YOUNGO's Food & Agriculture Working Group for the 64th session of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies, this paper emphasizes inclusive policies that prioritize the perspectives and rights of youth, especially those who are Indigenous, smallholder, landless, gender-diverse, or from historically excluded communities, across every negotiation track relevant to food and agriculture.
Key Demands by Negotiation Track
Sharm el-Sheikh Joint Work (SJWA)
- Ensure the meaningful inclusion of children and youth in climate action on agriculture and food systems, including explicit recognition in the SJWA conclusions.
- Recognize agroecology and holistic food systems approaches as essential pathways to sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.
- Prioritize substantive negotiations to define expected outcomes for conclusion at COP31, safeguarding the future of agriculture negotiations under the UNFCCC.
Global Goal on Adaptation
- Establish an intergenerational agroecological transition funding stream linked to mechanisms like the Green Climate Fund.
- Ensure National Adaptation Plans address the heightened risk of malnutrition among climate-vulnerable populations, including children and youth.
Climate Finance
- Triple public, grant-based, non-debt climate finance by 2035, including tripling adaptation finance, in line with Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement.
- Deliver an actionable USD 1.3 trillion pathway with dedicated, simplified funding streams for youth-led initiatives.
- Ground Loss and Damage funding in fair shares and historical responsibility, not charity.
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
- Submit new or updated 3.0 NDCs on a 1.5°C-aligned track, reflecting the 2026 ICJ Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change.
- Transparently report on child and youth engagement in NDC design through Biennial Transparency Reports.
Just Transition
- Establish a Global Just Transition Mechanism that explicitly includes agriculture.
- Secure land rights for children and youth, women, and Indigenous Peoples, promoting intergenerational farm transfer and restorative justice for degraded lands.
Authored by the F&A WG of YOUNGO, with contributions from:
Michelle Gaëlle Bidima, Helena, Lis, Bruna, Laureen, Imran, Rita, Enock Joseph Ssembuusi, Lidya Mulatu, Sebastian Pedraza, Nikita Bhusal, Victoria Olabode, Evance Ochola, Katia Carranza, Kitso Ephesia Monyadi, Sussana Phiri, and Inimbom Bassey.
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