COP30 - Climate Justice now!
The climate crisis is about power and justice, not just emissions. We demand action: tax the polluters, fully support those most affected, and put young people in charge of the decisions. That's our mission in Belém, Brazil, for COP30.
Would you like to know more? Get in touch!
Beyond emissions: it’s about Justice
Record heatwaves, floods, and fires keep reminding us that the climate crisis isn’t just about numbers, it’s about people. Yet too often, climate policies still treat it as a technical issue instead of a question of justice. The EU’s new 2040 target, cutting emissions by around 85%, is not enough to keep global warming below 1.5°C. On top of that, loopholes like buying carbon credits abroad, risk delaying real change at home.
When we talk about climate finance, we mean money meant to help countries and communities that suffer the most from the consequences of the climate crisis, from rebuilding after disasters to investing in clean energy. A large portion of these funds are loans to be paid back and aren’t new, they’re recycled from other budgets and they rarely reach those who need them the most. Meanwhile, the biggest polluters keep profiting.
That's why we need more tax justice: by making major polluters pay their fair share, we can finally fund real solutions and protect people, not the profit.
That's why we are going to COP30 in Brasil.
Youth: from stakeholders to rights-holders
To fix this, we need to stop tweaking the system and put people and rights at the centre. This means recognizing youth as rights-holders, not just stakeholders, and adopting a Youth Test for every policy to make sure decisions don't burden future generations. We must demand fair, predictable climate finance with new money, not recycled funds, for loss and damage, channeled directly to community-led action.
We need to advance tax justice by introducing taxes for the super-rich polluting companies, like the fossil fuel industry, and establishing a global tax framework to fund a just transition.
We must reform outdated economic models through the Beyond Growth vision, prioritising wellbeing and sustainability over simple GDP, and ensure integrity in carbon markets by immediately closing loopholes that delay real action.
🧐 Quick quiz: Do you know how to save the planet?
We've told you why the climate crisis is a justice issue and not just a technical problem. Now, it's your turn. Ready to prove you know the difference between a real solution and a corporate loophole?
Our demands for COP 30
1. Deliver new and fair climate finance
We demand high-income countries deliver new and additional climate finance, especially for Loss & Damage, based on historical responsibility and equity. This money must be transparent, easy to access, and delivered as grants, not loans.
2. Advance tax Justice
We call for the adoption of fair taxation measures, such as a global fossil fuel profit tax, to finance the just transition and climate justice. We need to stop major polluters from profiting while the vulnerable pay the cost.
3. Commit to fossil fuel phase-out
The EU must commit to a fossil fuel phase-out by 2040 and end all fossil fuel subsidies by 2030. Furthermore, we must support the 2028 Article 6 rule review to strengthen carbon market integrity and close offset loopholes that delay real domestic action.
4. Make youth participation binding
We demand that youth are recognized as rights-holders. We call for structured, resourced youth roles within UNFCCC, EU, and national climate governance to make participation binding, not optional. We must guarantee funding and access for youth participation, especially for young people from the Global South and marginalised groups.
5. Ensure intergenerational fairness
We demand the implementation of the Youth Test to assess the intergenerational impact of all COP decisions, ensuring that climate policies do not burden future generations.
6. More systemic economic reform
We call for more systemic change through a Beyond Growth approach, measuring success in wellbeing and sustainability, not just economic growth, which tackles overconsumption and prioritizes equity.
Read them all here!
What is COP?
COP stands for Conference of the Parties and it is the annual meeting of all the countries which signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) - a treaty from 1994.
The 30th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP30) will bring together member states representatives to Belem to accelerate action towards the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the UNFCCC. COP meets every year to review and measure progress made towards the achievement of the objectives to limit climate change.
🇧🇷 Destination Belém: Our mission for Climate Justice at COP 30!
Our delegation of young activists from our Member Organisations is heading straight to Belém, Brazil (COP 30) with one clear message: The time for systemic climate justice is now.
They will be pushing leaders to adopt our key demands, from taxing polluters to ensuring binding youth roles in decision-making.
🤩 Who are these champions of change? Meet the delegation below:
Related articles & publications
Reaction to the amendment to the EU Climate Law from European youth networks
We, European youth organisations, welcome the European Commission's formal proposal to amend the EU Climate Law to include a 2040 target of 90% net greenhouse gas emissions reductions following months of delays and speculation. Read our reaction to find out more!
Walking the COP or not?
At COP29 in Baku, leaders finally reached an agreement on climate finance—but it fell far short of what’s needed. Wealthier countries, including the EU, failed to take bold steps to support vulnerable populations and phase out fossil fuels. The European Youth Forum stands with youth activists worldwide, demanding real accountability and policies that prioritize future generations and the planet over empty promises.
It's time to... Walk the COP! | COP29
Walk the COP 🌍🌟 It's time to really implement the policies to fight the climate crisis. Which ones? We have a few ideas... Here’s how we can Walk the COP: finance the Global South, phase out fossil fuels, protect human rights, and support vulnerable communities... 🌿🌟