African Youth Lead the Charge on Climate Action: Calling for AU and IOM Support

In the face of an escalating climate crisis, Africa’s youth are stepping up to demand action and drive solutions. With 527 million young people aged 15-35, this dynamic demographic is poised to reshape the continent’s approach to climate change, security, and migration. However, they can’t do it alone. The African Union (AU) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) must step up to support their efforts.

Climate change disproportionately affects Africa, despite the continent’s minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions. The impacts are already severe:

• Extreme weather events: Intense rains, dangerous storms, and prolonged droughts are becoming more frequent and severe.
• Water scarcity: Water sources are drying up, threatening agriculture and food security.
• Rising sea levels: Coastal communities are endangered.
• Strain on climate-sensitive sectors: Agriculture, fishing, and tourism—the backbone of many African economies—are under increasing strain.

These environmental pressures exacerbate existing challenges, potentially driving conflict, forced migration, and economic instability. Africa’s youth are uniquely positioned to lead on climate solutions:

• Activism: Movements like Fridays for Future have already shifted the climate debate, pushing it higher on political agendas.
• Innovation: Young people are at the forefront of developing technological and social innovations for a sustainable future.
• Changing social norms: Youth culture can drive shifts in consumption, transportation, and other behaviors towards more sustainable practices.
• Climate diplomacy: Increasingly, young people are becoming negotiators in international climate discourse.

Successful youth-led climate initiatives in Africa include:

1. Climate Wednesday: Led by the International Climate Change Development Initiative (ICCDI) Africa in Nigeria, this initiative builds a climate-smart generation across Africa.
2. Climate Hub Tanzania: This dynamic youth-led national non-profit organization champions climate sustainability and environmental conservation from the grassroots level.
3. African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC): This umbrella network of all youth organizations in Africa working on climate change was launched during the International Conference of Youth before UNFCCC, COP 12 in 2006. It envisions an empowered and united African youth movement proactively involved in decision-making and adopting sustainable options for better climate and social equity.

Challenges and Opportunities

While the climate crisis presents significant challenges, it also offers opportunities for youth engagement. Challenges include the urgency of action required, intergenerational injustice, and disproportionate impacts on developing nations. Opportunities include driving policy change through activism, developing innovative solutions, reshaping societal norms around sustainability, and participating in global climate negotiations.

Institutional Support is Critical. To maximize the potential of youth-led climate action, the AU and IOM must provide robust support:

African Union (AU)

• Prioritize youth involvement in implementing the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (2024-2033) of Agenda 2063.
• Provide funding and resources for youth-led climate initiatives.
• Ensure youth representation in climate policy-making processes.

International Organization for Migration (IOM)

• Develop programs addressing the nexus between climate change, migration, and youth.
• Support research on climate-induced migration patterns affecting young people.
• Facilitate youth participation in regional and global dialogues on climate-related migration.

African youth are not waiting for solutions—they are actively creating them. With fresh ideas and perspectives, they understand their challenges best, making them key stakeholders at the decision-making table. However, their efforts need institutional backing to achieve maximum impact. The AU and IOM have a crucial role to play in supporting these young climate leaders. As we race against time to keep global warming below 1.5°C, harnessing the energy, creativity, and  determination of Africa’s youth is not just an opportunity—it’s a necessity. The future of the continent and the planet depends on empowering these young voices. It’s time for the AU and IOM to answer their call and invest in youth-led climate solutions.

By Tanaka A Ndongera