Nigeria Joins Global Youth Climate Councils Alliance Retreat

USPA NEWS - Nigeria Joins Global Youth Climate Councils Alliance Retreat at COP28 in UAE Dubai

In a significant stride towards empowering youth in climate action, the Youth Climate Council Nigeria (YCCN) actively participated in the COP28 conference held in UAE Dubai. The event provided a platform for Nigeria to join the global initiative and attend the retreat of the Youth Climate Councils Global Alliance (YCCGA).

The YCCGA, a network fostering youth engagement in climate policy making globally, celebrated its success in having Youth Climate Councils established in various countries. By 2023, the alliance had representation in Ghana, Costa Rica, Brazil, Denmark, Poland, Uganda, and the Netherlands, with preparatory processes underway in Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Colombia.

Supported by the Global Environmental and Climate Conservation Initiative (GECCI) and endorsed by the United Nations Information Center Nigeria (UNIC), the Youth Climate Council in Nigeria is made possible through generous backing from Elomgreenie and DCR Ambassadors.

**Objectives of Youth Climate Council Nigeria:**
– Strengthen engagement with the Nigeria Children and Youth Forum on Environment and Climate Action.
– Bridge the gap between youth-led organizations (ages 15-35) and the government to establish a robust governance structure for climate policy.
– Operate nationally and across geopolitical zones (North-East, North-Central, North-West, South-South, South-East, and South-West).

Influence climate policy through youth activism at local and national levels in Nigeria. – Empower youth by providing knowledge, skills, and resources to be effective agents of change in the fight against climate change. – Advocate for youth-inclusive climate policies and initiatives at local, national, and international levels. – Conduct awareness campaigns, workshops, and educational programs to educate young Nigerians about climate change and sustainable practices. – Facilitate community-level projects promoting sustainable livelihoods, renewable energy adoption, and environmental conservation. – Empower the youth movement to have an influential relationship with the government. – Liaise between the Ministry of Water and Environment, foreign missions in Nigeria, development and UN agencies, and their engagement with young people on climate policy. The involvement of Nigeria in the YCCGA retreat at COP28 signals a commitment to ensuring the youth’s active participation in shaping the nation’s climate policies and fostering sustainable practices for a greener future.