PRESS RELEASE
PANDEMIC WILL DEEPEN STRUCTURAL INEQUALITY FOR CIVIL SOCIETY AT UN CLIMATE NEGOTIATIONS SAY UK YOUTH
UK youth activists have warned that the coronavirus pandemic will deepen structural inequality at the UN climate negotiations. The UK Youth Climate Coalition have published a list of demands to the UK Government, due to host the postponed Conference of the Parties (COP) in Glasgow next year including more transparency, an end to formal fossil fuel influence and greater Global South inclusion at every level of the negotiations.
Preliminary UN talks, which have been moved online due to COVID-19, usually offer the chance for civil society to engage in dialogues with governments and influence global policy. Their move online risks severely weakening transparency and civil society participation.
After submitting the demands to the Government, a UKYCC Spokesperson said:
“These talks provide civil society the chance to influence international climate policy towards achieving a just transition. The UK Government must use its power as the next COP host to influence other countries towards these aims during these crucial negotiations.
"There is no solution to climate change without justice. We are making these demands so youth and global south voices are not further marginalised at the UN in the wake of this pandemic.”
ENDS.
See the full list of demands here
Contact: sarah.dobson@ukycc.org
