Young Climate Leaders in the Seats of Power
In Uruguay, young climate activists are working alongside the country’s government and policymakers to fight against global warming
When Uruguay’s climate change decision makers arrived for a routine meeting, they were surprised to find many of their seats occupied by adolescents and young people.
For the first time in Uruguay’s history, the National System for Climate Change Response (SNRCC), the country's most important decision-making forum on climate policy were joined by ten young climate leaders, members of the recently created National Youth Network for Climate Justice.
Their first request to the council was for a dedicated youth network workspace within the national system for climate change. Their request was granted, enabling young activist a space and platform to influence climate related policy making.
“As they entered the room, they asked if it was the right place”, recalls Carolina Cuesta, the 21-year-old co-founder of the Youth Network for Disaster Risk Reduction of the Americas and the Caribbean, Fridays for Future Uruguay climate activist, and now a member of the National Youth Network for Climate Justice.
Carolina Lucía Cuesta Crosa
Sofía Pitteta
Sofía Pitetta, 17, founder of Biochangers, a youth-led project where adolescents can receive information on eco-anxiety and resilience to climate change, described their participation as essential. “We are not yet influenced by the bureaucratic system or pressured by different societal participants. We are free and innocent souls who can provide an unconventional and revolutionary vision,” she says.
Sofía, who lives in Paysandú, a vulnerable region due to its proximity to the Uruguay River, significantly affected by floods, frequent displacements and evacuations, became a member of the advisory committee of the National Youth Network for Climate Justice.
The Youth Network for Climate Justice is the result of a joint effort between young activists and Acción Climática Joven, an initiative supported by the UNICEF's Global Climate Innovation Portfolio and UNICEF Uruguay.
The initiative seeks to support and empower the next generation of climate leaders by expanding and strengthening the representation and influence of young Uruguayans in national climate and environmental policy. The presence of the youth-driven network at Uruguay’s Ministry of Environment national meeting marked the first significant milestone in its mission.
Carolina and Sofía met in 2022 during the first edition of Acción Climática Joven. They became inseparable advocates for climate change and stood out for their commitment and leadership in UNICEF projects related to environmental issues and participation.
They participated in UNICEF’s joint work with the Uruguayan Ministry of Environment (MoE) to influence the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) with a child-sensitive approach. As a result, in 2022, Uruguay’s second NDC to meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement included the decision to create a space for youth representation in the framework of the National System for Climate Change Response (SNRCC).
“This is the first time our country has committed to youth participation in such a high policy level related to the environmental crisis. We are thrilled by the Ministry of Environment's vision to include our youth in a matter that is so important to the future and to try to make the most of this momentum.”
Dario Fuletti, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, UNICEF Uruguay
Sofía Pitteta and Carolina Cuesta, presenting the National Youth Network for Climate Justice objectives at the Uruguayan presidency building. December 19, 2023.
With the continued support of UNICEF through the SPARK Incubator, Acción Climática Joven aims to create a space for youth representation essential for the country’s climate policy decision-making and attract young leaders to join the cause.
The 21 members of the Youth Network for Climate Justice committee will enter the tower of the Uruguayan presidency building again, but this time, the council members will not be surprised. Hand in hand, they are set to solidify the framework of youth participation in Uruguay’s climate change governance to build a better future for all.
About UNICEF Climate Innovation Portfolio
The UNICEF Innovation Global Climate Portfolio identifies, validates and scales transformational and frontier innovations that respond to key programmatic challenges that, if solved, will unlock faster progress for a climate-secure and resilient future for children and young people. The initiative Innovation30 – Young Climate Innovators Shaping the Future sources transformational solutions developed by young people under 30 years.
UNICEF is ambitious and intentional about the meaningful engagement of children and young people in innovating and shaping environmental policies in disaster risk preparedness and risk reduction.
The Global Climate Innovation Portfolio aligns with a diverse partner network to champion impactful solutions, especially with and for communities in the over 190 countries where we operate. With a shared purpose, we catalyze increased investments to source, pilot, iterate and scale solutions to help transform communities and build hope in addressing the global climate crisis.
Read more about UNICEF Global Innovation Portfolios
Read more about SPARK Incubator
See more about Acción Climática Joven
