Climate change poses a significant threat to the country’s future, with adverse impacts on environmental conditions, water availability, and resource conflict among youth. Recognizing the importance of involving young people in policy formulation, the study evaluates the extent of youth engagement, assesses existing mechanisms, identifies challenges, and explores the impact of youth inclusion on climate policy outcomes. The report highlights the global consensus on the interdependence of social, economic, and environmental concerns, as underscored by the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Climate change-related disasters have surged in recent years, underscoring the urgency of comprehensive climate action. Uganda, a signatory to international conventions, has embarked on strategies through its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the Paris Agreement to combat climate change.
The role of youth in shaping climate policy becomes crucial, given their potential as agents of change and their stake in the long-term consequences of policy decisions. The study emphasizes that youth participation fosters innovative ideas, urgency, and a sense of ownership. Despite depicting a decline in youth civic orientation in some studies, the rise of youth climate activism worldwide, epitomized by Greta Thunberg and the Fridays for Future movement, dispels the notion of youth disengagement.
In Uganda, the youth climate movement has gained momentum, with numerous organizations dedicated to climate action. However, challenges persist, including the inconsistent incorporation of youth input into policy decisions. The study identifies the absence of a structured approach as a primarily significant concern, potentially hindering the effectiveness of youth involvement. While the Local Conference of Youth and UNFCCC provide avenues for youth input, they may fall short of directly influencing Ugandan climate policies.