RCE Delhi - 2020

Youth Climate Conclave- First Edition
CSV
Basic Information
Title of project : 
Youth Climate Conclave- First Edition
Submitting RCE: 
RCE Delhi
Contributing organization(s) : 
RCE Delhi
Focal point(s) and affiliation(s)
Name: 
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
Organizational Affiliation: 
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
E-mail: 
kahlonl@teri.res.in
Format of project: 
Project
Language of project: 
English
Date of submission:
Sunday, October 18, 2020
Web link: 
www.teriin.org
Additional resources: 
 Monograph titled- ‘Young voices for the Planet’: https://bit.ly/3jMPQka
 Youth Climate Conclave Calendar 2020 from winning photographs: https://bit.ly/3iHzGqL
 Youth Declaration on Climate Action that was prepared by students: https://bit.ly/33IM45J
 Youth Declaration on Climate Action during World Sustainable Development Summit 2020: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPBW6ztpg6s&t=266s
Does this project link to any education and/or sustainable development policy or policies?: 
No
Geographical & Education Information
Region: 
Asia-Pacific
Location(s): 
India
Address of focal point institution for project: 
TERI, 6C, Darbari Seth Block, IHC Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi - 110 003, India
Ecosystem(s):
Agricultural, Forest, Fresh water, Mountain, Urban/Peri-urban, Wetlands
Target Audience:
Community, Higher, Secondary, Youth (Informal)
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area : 
Headquartered in New Delhi, TERI is an independent, multi-dimensional organization, with capabilities in research, policy, consultancy and implementation. The mission is to usher transitions to a cleaner and sustainable future through the conservation and efficient use of Earth's resources and innovative ways of minimizing and reusing waste. Work across sectors is focused on:
• Promoting efficient use of resources
• Increasing access and uptake of sustainable inputs and practices
• Reducing the impact on environment and climate
TERI combines knowledge and research with experience to provide workable solutions, a platform for various segments of societies, both national and international, to address the challenges in the modern quest for sustainable development.
Description of sustainable development challenge(s) in the area the project addresses: 
TERI’s work in the field of Climate Science provides a better understanding of climate variability at regional scales on key sectors such as water, health, agriculture and industry. Along with this, there is a focus on supporting initiatives linked with Climate Change Education (CCE) through an active youth network that deliberate and discuss about Climate Change and internalize the same in thought, practice and action for achieving an appropriate balance of aspirations and commitments.
Against this background, TERI developed a project- Youth Climate Conclave to sensitize youth on SDG 13 (Climate Action) and issues related to Climate Change.
Contents
Status: 
Completed
Period: 
October, 2019
Rationale: 
Youth can significantly contribute to climate action but they urgently need adequate capacity building and support to make informed decisions which are aligned with achievement of Global Goals. With about 1.8 billion young people worldwide in the age group of 10- 24 years, it is important to have an active engagement with youth in decision-making processes to enable intergenerational collaborations and inclusive partnerships that collectively seek solutions which benefit our planet and it’s inhabitants. As per Census Report (GoI, 2011), youth (15-24 years) in India constitutes one-fifth (19.1%) of India's total population. Youth is indeed a demographic dividend for India, and it is imperative that they play an important role in climate action. In the midst of increasing appeals for bold climate action across the globe by students and civil society, and a resounding call from the scientific community to urgently address the devastating impacts of climate change, accelerating climate action is the biggest hope to ensure a safe future for all. Keeping this in mind, the Youth Climate Conclave was organised.
Objectives: 
Sensitize students on Climate Change related issues and make them aware about convergence of local solutions to global goals.
Trigger inquisitiveness about the dynamic field of Climate Science.
Training and building capacity of youth on key issues related to climate change.
Negotiate a youth climate declaration, representing the youth of the world.
Provide students with factual understanding of the climate change science and impacts, the international negotiation process (UNFCCC) and the main negotiation issues, the Indian policies and Indian position, the positions of the other main negotiation groups and the possible role of youth.
Activities and/or practices employed: 
As part of the Strategic Partnership for Implementation of Paris Agreement (SPIPA) project of the European Union with Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change as the nodal ministry, Youth Climate Conclave (YCC) was organized as a competitive and educative approach to enhance youth engagement for climate action. Launched on 4th October 2019, a series of activities- photography and blogging competitions for youth were organized for youth from 13-18 years and 19-25 years. Culmination of these activities was observed wherein finalists of competitions along with other selected students participated in awareness building sessions and deliberations to present their views about issues related to Climate Change. YCC Modelled on COP to the UNFCCC was held from 29-31 January 2020 as a special session for youth along the sidelines of World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2020 (http://wsds.teriin.org/). As an outcome of the conclave, a Youth Declaration on Climate Action was drafted and presented in the WSDS 2020 to mark the culmination of the programme.
Size of academic audience: 
The project was reached out to more than 600 individuals directly from schools, colleges and partner organisations through the contests, launch and Modelled on COP to UNFCCC of Youth Climate Conclave (YCC).
Results: 
Through this project, a unique Climate Change Education (CCE) initiative for youth was created, formulation of a Youth Declaration on Climate Action(https://bit.ly/33IM45J) in a consultative and educative manner during World Sustainable Development Summit 2020 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPBW6ztpg6s&t=266s) was held, publishing of Annual Calendar from winning photographs: https://bit.ly/3iHzGqL and Monograph titled ‘Young voices for the Planet’(https://bit.ly/3jMPQka) was developed as an output, excellent opportunity for youth to be associated with sustainable networks dealing with contemporary environment and climate change issues was provided and also an innovative training of youth on consensus building and global negotiations on Climate Change issues (mitigation, adaptation, finance, MRV (measurement, reporting and verification), reporting and stock taking was taken place.
Lessons learned: 
All the project activities including the outputs and outcomes brought forward that there is a keen interest amongst the young citizenry to address the problem of Climate Change; and programs like YCC find an active space in campuses and lives of students. Hence it is a responsibility for us to provide and sustain these types of activities so that we can drive youth energy in right direction, and we hear them more often. This forms the basis of a transformative change that we wish to see in our society. Keeping this in mind, TERI initiated the second edition of Youth Climate Conclave to sensitize youth on SDG 13 (Climate Action) and issues related to Climate Change.
Key messages: 
Youth Climate Conclave aims to facilitate engagement, education and empowerment of Indian youth about the challenges of Climate Change. The conclave is envisaged as a competitive and an educative mode of action, wherein youth from across the country will come together to join hands and address the issues of climate change.
Funding: 
The project is being held under the SPIPA (Strategic Partnership for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement) project with Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, GoI as the nodal ministry. The SPIPA project is being implemented by GIZ-India along with the support of Delegation of the European Union to India. The YCC activity is being implemented by TERI in partnership with GIZ-India and CEEW.

Pictures:

File Name Caption for picture Photo Credit
Image icon Students with H.E. Mr Ugo Astuto, Ambassador of the European Union to India during the launch of Youth Climate Conclave.jpg (103.99 KB) Students with H.E. Mr Ugo Astuto, Ambassador of the European Union to India during the launch of Youth Climate Conclave
Image icon A young fellow being felicitated for one of the online Pan India conetst revolved around the theme on Climate Action.jpg (121.85 KB) A young fellow being felicitated for one of the online Pan India contest revolved around the theme on Climate Action
References and reference materials: 
PDF icon YouthDeclarationonClimateAction.pdf
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs) and other themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
SDG 1 - End poverty in all its forms everywhere 
Indirect
SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 
Direct
SDG 6 - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 
Indirect
SDG 7 - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all 
Indirect
SDG 11 - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 
Indirect
SDG 12 - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 
Indirect
SDG 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 
Direct
Theme
Agriculture 
Indirect
Forests/Trees 
Indirect
Plants & Animals 
Indirect
Waste 
Indirect
ESD for 2030-Priority Action Areas
Priority Action Area 1 - Advancing policy 
state: 
Indirect
Priority Action Area 2 - Transforming learning and training environments 
state: 
Indirect
Priority Action Area 3 - Developing capacities of educators and trainers 
state: 
Indirect
Priority Action Area 4 - Mobilizing youth 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 5 - Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level 
state: 
Direct
Update: 
No