Youth for Climate Action: Engaging Jordanian Youth in Climate Related Policymaking

The 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) brought the world together in a mission towards realizing the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Mitigation and adaptation to protect the environment for future generations were amongst the pressing issues for COP26. Political commitment and efforts to advance youth engagement in the policy-making processes will be key to the success of these efforts. Young activists from YOUNGO, the official Youth Constituency of UNFCCC have united under the Conference of Youth (COY 16) to represent the voice of youth and share their demands to the COP presidency and other leaders, delivering a statement signed by more than 47,000 young people. While youth have been at the forefront of climate action in many countries, they are still not fully engaged in discussions and climate-related policymaking in Jordan. The COP26 and the global youth statement provide valuable opportunities and compelling examples to improve youth engagement in climate action.

This policy brief looks at Jordanian youth and their engagement in climate change-related policymaking. It puts forth a set of policy recommendations for policymakers, from capacity building to an evaluation of the current climate governance structure.