COP30 criteria make it difficult for amazonian youth to participate, activists say

By Fabyo Cruz – From Cenarium

BELÉM (PA) – The selection process for the Youth Climate Champion, which will choose a single young person to represent Brazil at the Climate Change Conference (COP30), scheduled for November this year in Belém, Pará, has been criticized for imposing barriers that exclude a large part of Amazonian youth from the climate debate.

The requirement of fluency in English is the main issue raised by young people from the Amazon, as it makes participation difficult for those who live and work to defend the forest but lack access to quality education and formal training opportunities. According to them, the selection process of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) ignores the reality of the youth who live and fight daily in this territory.

In the calls for selection published on social media, internet users have expressed that the established criteria reinforce the exclusion of Amazonian youth and favor a global elite that already circulates in these decision-making spaces. The fluency requirement in English, for instance, represents a significant obstacle, as many young people in the region do not have access to language courses.

Critics argue that since the event is being held in Brazil, the participation of Brazilian youth should not depend on mastering a foreign language. They suggest that the issue could be resolved with interpreter support.

Regarding the matter, Ana Luiza Araújo, an environmental activist and advocate from the outskirts of Belém, comments that these opportunities limit the participation of young people who have not had access to the English language, even if they are active and engaged in environmental causes. “The fluency requirement in English prevents many young people from being selected or becoming competitive for opportunities like this,” she stated.

She also points out that most of these young people cannot afford the high costs of participating in major events like COP, including travel and food expenses, which further contributes to their exclusion.

“In this way, what could be a real opportunity for inclusion becomes a false one, even affecting the self-esteem of these young people. Instead of recognizing and valuing their skills and competencies, this process ends up excluding Amazonian youth from participating in COP, even when the event takes place in their own city,” she concluded.

Youth Climate Champion

The Youth Climate Champion is an initiative within the Presidency Youth Climate Champion program, aimed at increasing youth participation in climate policies and international negotiation forums on the issue.

This representation was formalized during COP28, which took place in 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In November 2024, COP29 was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, with the goal of including youth in discussions.

Young people from various parts of the world chosen for COP30 will act as ambassadors and representatives of the climate cause at international conferences. They will also receive training to drive actions and policies in their communities.

The focus is to establish a global network to facilitate coordination and collaboration among young people, as well as enable direct engagement with experts and political leaders, ensuring that the perspectives and voices of youth from all regions are heard.

Applications close this Tuesday, the 11th. In addition to being fluent in English, candidates must be Brazilian nationals aged between 18 and 35, reside in Brazil, and have experience in climate and environmental agendas.

Edited by Marcela Leiros
Reviewed by Gustavo Gilona
Translated from Portuguese by Gustô Alves