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The COP30 (Conference of the Parties), held in Belém at the heart of the Amazon, marked a pivotal moment in global climate action. With expectations high for progress on mitigation, adaptation, finance, and ecosystem protection, this year’s conference also underscored another essential truth: climate action demands intergenerational collaboration. During SDSN Youth’s intergenerational dialogue, “Bridging Generations, Shaping Action: Intergenerational Insights on COP30 Outcomes,” speakers unpacked what COP30 delivered and what lies ahead for implementation.
Opening the discussion, Antonio Díaz emphasized two of the most significant achievements:
the Global Goal on Adaptation now equipped with a long-awaited framework of indicators and the adoption of the Gender Action Plan. “Bringing 196 countries to agreement is never easy,” he noted, “but finally landing adaptation indicators and elevating gender equality are major steps forward.” Both milestones mark years of negotiation and lay the groundwork for stronger national monitoring and more equitable climate strategies.
Institutional Relations Manager from, Manon Frezouls, added nuance, highlighting the difficult but notable progress on language around phasing out fossil fuels. While far from transformational, even minimal shifts in wording signal movement. “When so many countries sit at the table,” she explained, “a minimal step is still a step.”
From the ground-level perspective, Lesedi Gaonewe, from CorpsAfrica, underscored two outcomes essential for frontline communities: the spotlight on protecting forests and Indigenous peoples, and the strengthening of climate finance commitments, especially for developing countries. These outcomes reflect urgent priorities in rural and vulnerable regions.
Representing the civil society lens, SDSN’s Daniel Bernstein highlighted COP30’s momentum around tropical forest protection, especially the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, now backed by 90% of tropical forest countries. While funding remains below ambition, he noted that the conversations felt energized: “Being there, surrounded by so many brilliant people, was incredibly motivating.”
The conversation then shifted toward how young people can use these outcomes to drive policy and accountability.
Manon emphasized that youth engagement doesn’t end in negotiation rooms: “The real work starts after COP,” she said. Trained youth negotiators returning home bring expertise that can shape national consultations, civil society efforts, and local mobilization.
Antonio stressed the urgency of transitioning from token participation to meaningful decision-making power. Despite youth making up the world’s largest demographic, they remain underrepresented in technical and policy spaces. “We’re often seen as passive actors,” he said. “But no plan can succeed without the people it affects.”
Beyond youth-focused initiatives, speakers also agreed that collaboration across generations strengthens climate action. For instance, Lesedi highlighted that “climate action cannot be achieved by one generation alone.” Young people bring innovation and proximity to communities; senior experts bring technical depth and institutional knowledge. Together, they unlock implementation that is both informed and grounded.
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Looking ahead, all panelists emphasized that implementation requires trust, strong partnerships, and continuous engagement, not only during NDC revision cycles. Daniel reminded participants: “Read your country’s NDCs. People will listen when you know what you’re talking about.”
Meanwhile, Antonio called for pressure on governments to deliver: “Plans fail when they don’t match local realities. Implementation must be co-created with the people it affects.”
As the discussion closed, each speaker shared what gives them hope heading into COP31. For Daniel, it was the “energy and excitement of people determined to get things done.” For Antonio, it was the next generation, some as young as 14, already leading. And for Manon, it was witnessing a youth community rooted in solidarity and mutual understanding.
COP30 may have set the stage, but the future depends on how generations work together to turn commitments into lasting, equitable, community-driven climate action.
If you missed this insightful session or would like to revisit the discussion, we invite you to watch the recording. For collaboration opportunities with SDSN Youth, contact youth@unsdsn.org.