WYCJ Pre-COP26 Statement
We, the Youth of the world, have taken to the streets, the venues across the world and now to COP26, with the same hope: to bring justice to those who are the most affected by the current climate crisis that we are facing. In light of this, we are campaigning to request an Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice clearly establishing the link between climate change and human rights, and consecutively to human rights obligations.
By going to COP26, we not only hope to rally support for the Advisory Opinion, but we also want to give a voice to the people who are often affected the most but heard the least. We are acutely aware of the threat people and communities are facing globally, and of the permanent loss and the irreversible damage caused by the climate crisis. We see this damage happen everyday; people losing their properties and being forced to relocate. In order to tackle this we need to prevent the active loss of Indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage.
To counter this destruction, we need state parties to step up and be more ambitious than ever before and fulfill the 1.5 degree target set in the Paris Agreement. For example, the Paris Agreement does not reference the ocean, which is a key point to all ocean states.
Many ocean states derive important revenue from fisheries which is projected to be affected by climate change. Thus we hope to see greater importance placed on growth of understanding the crucial role oceans play in our chances towards addressing climate change. Also, the new emissions targets need to be upgraded compared to the Paris Agreement, more precisely a clear plan on how to reduce those targets is necessary. Setting up target numbers is not enough anymore. In addition to that, the door that has been left open by article 4 of the Paris Agreement on carbon sinks needs to be fully addressed.
In the face of the climate emergency we have no other choice than doing better. This COP we hope to see international collaboration among states and support for technological exchanges. We must recognize the knowledge that exists in climate vulnerable states and communities, for example in relation to community adaptation, governance, agriculture and water security. At COP26 the World’s Youth for Climate Justice hopes this key knowledge, its connection to human rights and the notion of intergenerational equity is taken into account and stays at the front of state delegates' minds while negotiating.
Grand ambitions call for more influential and permanent actions taken by the international community. We, the Youth of the world, have called time and time again for greater action; this COP we will be holding our state leaders to account.We want our voices to be listened to too. If there is one thing that is certain is that we will bring our stubborn optimism to the table.
