Youth Engagement Playbook for Cities: Tackling the Climate Crisis Hand in Hand with Youth
In the global fight against the climate crisis, young people are not just participants—they are leaders. They bring passion, innovative ideas, and urgency to the table, making them vital collaborators for cities striving to implement bold climate action. The Youth Engagement Playbook offers a roadmap for cities to engage youth meaningfully in their climate efforts, fostering a partnership that strengthens both local initiatives and the global movement for climate justice.
Crafted by the Global Youth and Mayors Forum with contributions from youth climate leaders and 15 cities worldwide, this Playbook provides real-world case studies and practical insights into how cities can successfully work with young people. It doesn’t just inform—it invites cities to rethink how they engage with youth, pushing for deeper collaboration, equity, and shared leadership.
1. Let Young People Lead the Way
Young people have been at the forefront of the climate movement, and cities should give them the platform they deserve. This means creating formal structures like Youth Climate Councils, where young people have the power to set agendas, shape decisions, and hold city leaders accountable. In Los Angeles, for instance, youth are not passive participants but active co-creators in shaping climate policy. Similarly, in Lima, young leaders are given direct channels to influence city-level decisions.
By enabling youth to lead, cities foster a sense of ownership and accountability in climate action, tapping into the energy and creativity that young people bring.
2. Be Inclusive and Equitable
True engagement requires ensuring that youth voices represent the full spectrum of a city’s diversity. This means going beyond the loudest voices to seek out those who may be marginalized or underrepresented. Cities like Auckland have taken steps to map out youth organizations and ensure that engagement structures mirror the demographic diversity of the community.
Inclusivity also means addressing barriers to participation, ensuring that all young people, regardless of their background, can contribute to and benefit from climate action.
3. Leverage Social Media and Digital Tools
In an age where digital communication reigns supreme, cities must meet young people where they are—online. Platforms like social media provide a powerful avenue to amplify youth climate initiatives, promote dialogue, and engage more young people in the conversation. Cities like Salvador have used digital tools to boost youth engagement, and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has leveraged digital spaces to involve young people in shaping health-related climate policies.
Through creative use of these platforms, cities can broaden their reach and ensure that more young voices are heard.
4. Build Partnerships Beyond Climate Groups
Youth engagement in climate action shouldn’t be siloed within environmental organizations. Cities like Austin, Quezon City, and Buenos Aires have taken a broader approach by partnering with youth groups focused on issues like housing, health, and social justice. These partnerships bring new perspectives and help weave climate action into the fabric of everyday life, highlighting the interconnectedness of challenges and solutions.
By forming alliances with diverse youth and civil society organizations, cities can build a stronger, more holistic approach to climate resilience.
5. Understand and Support Youth in Their Realities
Young people often face unique challenges in their daily lives, from eco-anxiety to financial barriers to participation. Cities must recognize these realities and provide the support young people need to engage fully. In Houston, for example, the city acknowledges the mental health impact of the climate crisis on youth, offering emotional support and financial assistance to ease the burden of participation.
This approach not only makes engagement more accessible but also acknowledges the weight young people carry as they confront the existential threat of climate change.
6. Treat Youth as Equal Stakeholders
Youth deserve a seat at the table alongside businesses, labor groups, and other key players in city governance. Meaningful engagement means giving young people access to city officials and including them in high-level committees where critical decisions are made. London serves as a model for this, with youth leaders given direct access to city policymakers.
By treating youth as equal stakeholders, cities can ensure that their climate action plans reflect the perspectives and priorities of the next generation.
7. Involve Youth in Broader City Processes
Climate action is intertwined with many other city processes—urban planning, transportation, housing, and more. Cities like Medellín have ensured that youth are not only involved in climate-focused initiatives but are also aware of and engaged in broader city decision-making. This holistic involvement strengthens their understanding of how cities function and empowers them to advocate for sustainable solutions across sectors.
8. Foster Youth Leadership Development
For long-term success, cities must invest in developing the next generation of leaders. Cities like Freetown, Paris, and Guadalajara are actively creating opportunities for youth to understand city governance and climate issues. Whether through integrating climate education into school curricula or offering mentorship opportunities, these cities are building the capacity of young people to lead not just today but well into the future.
Conclusion: A Call for Deeper Collaboration
The Youth Engagement Playbook doesn’t just provide a guide—it offers a vision for what is possible when cities and young people work together to tackle the climate crisis. By adopting these practices, cities can create more inclusive, equitable, and impactful climate policies, driven by the energy and innovation of youth.
This Playbook is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The authors invite feedback, new ideas, and continued learning as cities and young leaders collaborate to write the next chapter of climate action. Reach out to the C40 youth team to share your experiences, insights, or queries, and let’s continue to build a movement where youth leadership is at the heart of our climate solutions.
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