From frontlines to forums – amplifying climate voices that matter

Whenever there’s climate action on the ground, young people tend to be heavily present among the throng… yet they’re not consistently heard in policy debates. This session examines how climate urgency, scientific knowledge and young peoples’ lived experience (particularly from the ‘Global South’) can be communicated effectively to policymakers, local communities and fellow climate leaders. Participants explore how to translate climate justice concerns into policy-relevant language without oversimplifying realities or tokenising frontline perspectives.

The discussion addresses key strategic questions such as: How can young leaders position themselves within institutional processes to maximise their influence? What actually makes policymakers listen? How can dominant narratives be constructively and effectively challenged without losing access to decision-making spaces? And how can climate communicators convey urgency without triggering paralysis or disengagement?

By bringing together insights from scientists, youth advocates and young climate leaders from around the globe, this session aims to provide some practical approaches for amplifying climate voices in local, national and international forums.

The speakers will be joined by the Young Climate Leaders 2026!