Why young people need a seat at November's Global Climate Conference

Later this year, world leaders will gather in Glasgow to discuss the global climate emergency. It is essential that young people have a seat at the table!

In November this year, the UK will play host to the 26th Conference of the Parties, or COP26; a gathering of heads of state, climate experts and campaigners to agree coordinated action to tackle climate change.

As a generation, we will be hit hardest by the Climate Crisis hardest. How hard is up to decision makers now. In this context is is essential we are able to impact these decisions.

It is important for the future of climate change and it is important for the future of our lives and generations to come. We want to sit at COP26 and all of the climate discussions as we deserve a future generation of decision-makers. We require representation for our generation. Young people need to be at the forefront of this discussion and the decisions.

It is very important that the youth of Hillingdon have their voice heard through this climate discussion; particularly since we are one of the biggest boroughs in London. So, we urge you to get your opinions heard so they can be spoken in this conference.

It is time that young people finally have a voice on the issue that will impact us most. We have been told time after time that climate action needs to be done now, but we see our Government constantly do less than is needed. As has been demonstrated over the past two years, with engagement and pressure from young people, we can achieve a united climate goal.

COP26 is the perfect opportunity for us to turn our engagement into action! What we aim to get from being part of the Conference is to have mandatory climate education, and for countries to be measured against their international contribution to climate change rather than national targets. Other suggestions by young people will also be put forward!