From attempting to keep the global average temperature within 1.5 degrees to permanent youth representation in decision-making processes, from the role of industry in decarbonisation to funds for the poorest countries to fight the climate crisis. The 400 young men and women who took part in Youth4Climate, the under-30 summit on climate change, achieved a great many outcomes, presented on Thursday 30 September in the presence of Prime Minister Mario Draghi, President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella and COP26 President Alok Sharma. Not to mention the 51 environment and climate ministers who came to Milan for the pre-COP.

Youth4Climate: a moment to be repeated

"A very important outcome with four separate documents, which will be forwarded within the COP26 negotiating process," explained Minister for Ecological Transition Roberto Cingolani at a press conference, stressing the joint commitment of Italy and the United Kingdom to give young people an increasingly prominent role in the official UN climate negotiation process. "Our goal is to ensure that meetings like this one can be held every year before the official negotiations," Cingolani added. Jayathma Wickramanayake, the United Nations Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth, echoed his words: "We need to make these moments systematic and continuous, not dependent on the goodwill of countries like Italy and the United Kingdom that have created and hosted these spaces for dialogue."

The full document was not presented to the press; it will be drawn up in consultation with the young delegates over the coming days. The version made public contains four blocks of slides, divided by heading.

The outcomes of the 4 working groups involving the 400 young delegates

Climate ambition

The first document, "Climate ambition", calls for significant youth representation within decision-making processes and in the drafting of climate policies at local, national and international level, including in negotiations. The list of key messages also includes a request for guaranteed funding from public and private actors to support youth participation and the strengthening of technical expertise. The aim is to train young people as future policymakers, administrators and negotiators who will thereby have the knowledge needed to act.

"Youth participation represents a key objective agreed upon during Youth4Climate," explains Giulia Persico, representative of Youngo, the group of youth-led NGOs working on climate. "To ensure real change, we need innovation, creativity, and perspective — everything our young people have shown they can offer over these days. Decision-makers should commit to making this participation effective, for example through the establishment of youth climate councils, as proposed during the event."

Sustainable recovery

In the second document, "Sustainable recovery", young people reiterated the goal of keeping emissions within 1.5 degrees, the need for robust regulation of CO2 emissions and support for the most vulnerable communities and individuals. "Italian climate network agrees with young people that it is still possible to keep the temperature to 1.5 degrees by the end of the century, with a decisive energy and social transition," declared Marirosa Iannelli, Climate and Advocacy Coordinator at Italian climate network and youth advisor for Youth4Climate. "Only, however, if there is a clear political will at the international level and the involvement of all the actors in play: the governments of the various countries, international institutions, the private sector and the media. This document is fundamental for the pre-COP representatives to receive and internalise the demands coming from young people."

The document also includes calls to prioritise nature-based solutions (nature-based-solutions), the development of renewable energy, local adaptation and resilience policies, and the creation of green jobs. "We want concrete opportunities to train young renewable energy experts," Joy Egbe, the Nigerian delegate, a social entrepreneur from Benin City and expert in rural electrification, told LifeGate.

Considerable attention was also paid to the tourism sector: "We call on COP26 to recognise tourism's responsibility in achieving global climate targets and its vulnerabilities to the impacts of climate change, particularly for tourism-dependent countries," the document reads.

Finally, space was also given to one of the most complicated and contentious topics in climate negotiations, so-called climate finance. "We urge decision-makers at all levels to create a transparent and accountable climate finance system with robust regulation of CO2 emissions, eradicating the trap of climate investments in the most vulnerable communities."

Draghi responded to the proposal during his address, reiterating Italy's and the G20's commitment to reaching an agreement to meet the stated goal of mobilising 100 billion dollars in climate finance for the least developed states. "It is a moral imperative to support the transition of the most vulnerable countries," the Prime Minister declared in plenary.

Engagement of non-governmental actors

The third document on non-state actors takes a very firm stance. In the view of young people, all sectors of industry, including fashion, sport and the arts, must completely abandon fossil fuels by 2030, while ensuring a just transition that guarantees any jobs that may be lost. Considerable attention was also paid to emissions reports, which must be drawn up annually by all companies in an accurate and transparent manner. Furthermore, a complete halt to all investment in fossil fuels, also by 2030. A nightmare for the oil & gas sector if a decision like this were taken "seriously" at the United Nations.

A society more aware of climate challenges

Finally, the fourth document, for an aware society, calls for climate change education to be fundamental to the emancipation of all people. An education aimed at young people, teachers, the private sector, and the media. A reminder to the many colleagues present at the event who may not always be well versed in these topics. "The role of journalists and communicators is a priority in facilitating the scientific community through an understanding of environmental policies," Iannelli concluded.

The outcome of the work was welcomed positively by many professionals and activists under 30. "Young people finally have a role in decision-making processes," explains Adele Zaini, a Fridays for Future activist and atmospheric physics student. "We had never been listened to in this kind of context before, by prime ministers and ministers, in the presence of a COP president. These decisions must now influence the UN process, and the process must continue in the coming years too, becoming ever more important in guiding the ambition of governments." The newspapers gave it little coverage — in Italy, but above all abroad, the minister's communication was very weak. But at least for the first time the grown-ups were forced to stop and engage with young people.

Admittedly, it is not easy to find any trace of the event, which can rightly be described as historic and which, from an organisational standpoint, can be said to have been a success. But looking carefully at social media, from Pope Francis to United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, from Boris Johnson to Frans Timmermans, they all thanked the young people present. Now the voice is amplifying, moving from the halls of conference centres into the squares. Young people no longer want to stay silent. They have discovered they have the power to create a different world.