YPARD Position Paper for UNFCCC COP30

At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, YPARD calls for bold, youth-led action to transform food systems, strengthen rural resilience, and deliver climate justice. Young people are among those most affected by climate impacts on land, livelihoods, and food systems—yet they remain underrepresented in climate decision-making and climate finance.

This policy paper sets out key demands and concrete recommendations to ensure that youth, especially rural youth, young farmers, women, and Indigenous Peoples, are recognised as rights-holders and co-decision-makers across UNFCCC processes.

It focuses on:

1.Institutionalize youth participation in UNFCCC processes

2.Finance youth-led climate action

3.Advance a just transition for rural youth and climate mobility

4.Secure land and resource rights

5.Put agriculture and food systems at the heart of climate policy

6.Promote gender-responsive and inclusive climate action

7.Recognize and resource Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities

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You can read the full position paper here.

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YPARD envisions climate-resilient, just and sustainable food systems where rural youth, young farmers, women and Indigenous Peoples are not only consulted, but share power in decision-making. The COP30 Position Paper calls on Parties to move from symbolic gestures to concrete reforms that institutionalize youth participation, unlock inclusive finance, and translate commitments on adaptation, agriculture and climate justice into tangible outcomes for young people and their communities.