The fourth edition of Youth Climate Conclave launched
New Delhi, October 7: The fourth edition of the ‘Youth Climate Conclave’ (YCC) was announced today with the launch of a photography competition on climate action. A curtain raiser for the two-day capacity building event that will take place in February, just before the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2023.
The YCC, being held under the India-EU Clean Energy and Climate Partnership (CECP) project, brings together children and youth from across the country to join hands and address climate change through modes that are competitive as well as educative. The YCC this year is co-organised by TERI, the Delegation of the European Union to India, UNICEF, GIZ, and CEEW with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) as the Nodal Ministry.
This years’ photo competition is open to children and youth between the age group 10-18 and 19-25 years, wherein they have to submit their best shots capturing the theme ‘Smart Choices for a Sustainable Future’. The winning photos will be exhibited in a professional exhibition in February next year and the photographers of the best 12 photos will have access to the YCC and the WSDS, where the best three in each age category will be announced. The last date for submission of entries is November 30, 2022.
Delivering the keynote address, Ms Ruchika Drall, Deputy Secretary, Climate Change Division, MoEFCC, noted that India’s strength is its large population of youth – around 600 million – and they can play a vital part in driving climate action. “At COP26, Honourable Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi had given a global call for Lifestyle for Environment, i.e. LiFE which aims at putting individual behaviour at the forefront of climate action. Youth can be very actively involved in the adoption and promotion of climate friendly behaviour within the community and contribute to the global movement of LiFE,” said Ms Drall.
Climate change and biodiversity loss are at the top of the political agenda of the European Union (EU) and India. Elaborating on the continuing engagement with youth on climate change through the four year old conclave, Mr Ugo Astuto, Ambassador of the European Union to India, said, “The youth worldwide has fully understood the urgency of the climate crisis. They are raising their voices, advocating the adoption of greener policies with a renewed sense of urgency. Young people must be at the heart of the solution”. He added, “The gravity of the climate crisis demands rapid and transformational change across all economic sectors and sections of society. At the upcoming COP27 in Egypt, the international community and each country individually must commit to do what is necessary to limit the increase of global temperature to 1.5 degrees.”
Mr Vincenzo de Luca, Ambassador of Italy to India, highlighted that youth is the most significant stakeholder in the climate change discourse. “COP26 not only achieved some positive results on the roads towards carbon neutrality, it showcased the younger generation to be the centre of the decision making process of the climate agenda,” said Mr Luca. Further underscoring the key role played by the youth in the climate agenda, the Ambassador added, “We always deem crucial creating a dialogue between institution and youth in the climate agenda and we would continue to do it.”
Speaking at the launch of the latest YCC edition, Ms Marije Broekhuijsen, OIC – Chief of WASH, Climate and Environment, UNICEF India, said, “India has the largest youth population globally. More than 50% of its population is below the age of 25. At the same time, India ranks 26th out of 163 countries in UNICEF’s children’s climate risk index of 2021, meaning that a large number of India’s children and youth are exposed to climate risks. But children and youth are also part of the solution. This youth climate conclave is an important opportunity for children and youth to step up as agents of change and advocate to bring a focus on children and youth in climate and environmental strategies.
Observing that the youth are significant players in the climate agenda, Mr Manjeev Singh Puri, former Ambassador and Distinguished Fellow, TERI, in his welcome address said, “India has taken on one of the most onerous challenges on sustainability and climate change. But it requires every one of you to act, if each and every one of us do not change, if each and every one of us will not be conscious of sustainability, if each and every one of us do not know that we are one planet and that we owe it to ourselves and our successive generations to ensure that the planet is lively, our goals will remain goals only on paper.”
Mr Ashish Bhattacharya, Senior Associate, Delhi Photography Club familiarised the participants with the power of the picture and the immense potential it has to effectively convey the message of climate change and spur climate action.
A photography exhibition with a delightful curation of winning photos of the last three editions highlighting the impact of the climate change from across India was also opened to the public at India Habitat Centre. To register for the photography competition, log in at: https://register.teriin.org/ycc_v4/ycc-register.php?c_t=photography
About the European Union (EU):
The EU, which consists of 27 countries, has the world's second largest economy and its third largest population, after China and India. Though richly diverse, the countries that make up the EU (its 'Member States') are all committed to the same basic values: peace, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights. Climate change remains at the top of EU’s domestic and external agenda. The EU is guided by the European Green Deal and the Climate Law, which makes our commitment legally binding. The EU is looking at least -55% reduction of net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and reach a climate neutral Europe by 2050. The EU also continues to be the world’s biggest donor of climate finance, providing almost $28 billion in 2020, and of humanitarian support.
About GIZ
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, on behalf of the German Federal Government, is a global service provider in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. GIZ has over 60 years of experience in a wide variety of areas, including economic development and employment promotion, energy and the environment, and peace and security. The diverse expertise of our federal enterprise is in demand around the globe – from the German Government, European Union institutions, the United Nations, the private sector and governments of other countries. GIZ works with businesses, civil society actors and research institutions, fostering successful interaction between development policy and other policy fields and areas of activity.
About TERI
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), based in India, is an independent, multi-dimensional research organization with capabilities in policy research, technology development, and implementation. An innovator and agent of change in the energy, environment, climate change and sustainability space, TERI has pioneered conversations and action in these areas for nearly five decades. Headquartered in New Delhi, it has centres in six Indian cities, and is supported by a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, sociologists, economists, engineers, administrative professional and state-of-the-art infrastructure.
About CEEW
The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) is one of South Asia’s leading not-for-profit policy research institutions. The Council uses data, integrated analysis, and strategic outreach to explain – and change – the use, reuse, and misuse of resources. It prides itself on the independence of its high-quality research, develops partnerships with public and private institutions, and engages with the wider public. In 2020, CEEW once again featured extensively across nine categories in the 2019 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report. The Council has also been consistently ranked among the world’s top climate change think tanks.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. More than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. UNICEF India relies on the support and donations from businesses and individuals to sustain and expand health, nutrition, water and sanitation, education and child protection programmes for all girls and boys in India.