New COP26 youth programme to help young people tackle climate change

A new programme of events will make sure young people’s voices are heard as Scotland hosts COP26.

Alongside our partners at Keep Scotland Beautiful and YouthLink Scotland, we’re supporting the Scottish Government to deliver the official COP26 Youth Climate Programme.

The programme will run during the lead up to and beyond the UN climate conference in November. It will include a range of online and in-person activities, aimed at increasing young people’s awareness of climate change.

Young people will help design the programme, through a Climate Co-Design Group made up of young people from across Scotland. They will also recruit local champions from every local authority in Scotland, helping young people connect with their communities in efforts to tackle climate activity.

The programme will include a COP26 Scottish Youth Summit ahead of the international conference in November, including a Scottish Youth Climate Declaration.

Young people with an interest in climate change can take part in the programme by applying here.

For updates on the programme follow us on Twitter @YoungScot and @YouthLinkScot and @KSBeautiful

Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform Mairi McAllan said:

“Hosting COP26 is a unique opportunity for Scotland and we want to make sure young people have an active role. We are all living in a global climate emergency but it is young people that have the most to lose if we don’t get to grips with it. Scotland has world leading targets to be net zero by 2045. How we get there has to be fair and informed by all voices, including children and young people. This programme will help make that happen and empower young people to take climate action long after the event is over.”

Heather Ashworth, former Climate Action Intern with Keep Scotland Beautiful said:

“We can work together by talking, sharing our knowledge and our success stories. We need to support each other to learn and understand climate issues and the actions we can take. Young voices must be heard but regardless of age or background we all need to come together to ensure Scotland becomes a net zero nation.”