Page 8 - Zero Waste - November 2024

8 NEWS

YOUTH CONFERENCE

By Climate Envoys
By Climate Envoys

Rolled out in 2021 under the Made up of young representa- highlighted that climate change
auspices of Minister of Environ- tives selected out of universities is a fact of not only the future
ment, Urbanization, and Cli- on a yearly basis, the Climate but also the present day. Suver
mate Change Murat Kurum, the Envoys convened at the Local said the effects are going to
Climate Envoys Movement con- Conference of Youth in Anka- hit young people and future
vened (COP29) in Ankara ahead ra ahead of the COP29 to be generations the hardest. Point-
of the 2024 United Nations held in Baku, Azerbaijan on ing to how important it is for
young people to play an active
November 11 to 24. Organized
Conference of the Parties. Made for young people to voice their role in climate action, Suver said
up of young people selected out views to be incorporated into they must be involved in deci-
of universities on a yearly basis, the United Nations Framework sion-making processes as future
the Climate Envoys proposed Convention on Climate Change leaders.
solutions for climate action at (UNFCCC) processes, the 2-day
the two-day Local Conference of event was attended by over 200 Prof. Halil Hasar, the Director
Youth (LCOY) in Ankara. people. of Climate Change Presidency,
underscored how the event is an
Rolled out in an effort to boost Hasan Suver, the Deputy Min- opportunity for young people
the influence of young gener- ister of Environment, Urban- to promote local climate action
ations on the national climate ization, and Climate Change, and offer inputs for international
action, the Project Climate Babatunde A. Ahonsi, the Unit- conferences.
ed Nations Resident Coordina-
Envoys is in progress on a high tor in Türkiye, Chizuru Iwata,
note. Implemented since 2021 the Head of ADAP at UNICEF “Congratulat-
under the auspices of Minister Türkiye, and Prof. Halil Hasar, ing Türkiye On
Kurum, the project raises the the Director of Climate Change ‘The Climate Crisis is a Child
awareness of the youth about Presidency, took the floor on the Its Journey” “Children and Rights Crisis’, and noted that it is
climate change and environment opening day of the event. children and youth that are the
and adds to the building of cli- Attending the event, Babatunde Youth Least least responsible for the climate
mate-friendly college campuses. Youth to be A. Ahonsi, the United Nations Responsible crisis. Iwata said the climate
crisis, however, affects children
Resident Coordinator in Türki-
Contributors Involved in ye, touched on the actions taken for Climate and youth the most: “Children
need more energy, water, and
by the climate envoys, and said:
to the Climate Decision- “We would like to congratulate Crisis” food to grow up but we are
struggling to provide for them
Change Making Türkiye on its journey of turning Chizuru Iwata, the Head of because of climate change”.
young Climate Envoys into a
Convention Deputy Minister Hasan Suver well-structured and sustainable ADAP at UNICEF Türkiye,
national youth consultation
delivered a presentation titled
mechanism”.

ABOUT CLIMATE ENVOYS

As of 2024, there are 175 original and 175
substitute climate envoys out of 208 univer-
sities. The Climate Envoys are aged 18 to
25, pursuing undergraduate, post gra-
duate, and doctoral studies. The Climate
Envoys are mainly selected out of 3rd and
4th year undergraduates. Requests to serve
as an envoy are usually communicated
by young people studying Environmental
Engineering, Geography, Political Science,
and International Relations.

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