A transformative youth-led vision for environmental governance, endorsed by young people across all six UNEP regions.
Linked programme
Use the Assembly page for event context, dates, and the agenda record behind the Declaration process.
The Preamble
We, the children and youth of the world, recognise that the health of our planet is inseparable from the well-being of its people. Environmental degradation, climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution threaten the rights and futures of young people everywhere.
This declaration is the result of a global consultative process engaging youth across all six UNEP regions. It articulates our shared vision for a just, sustainable, and equitable future and calls on governments, institutions, and fellow young people to act together.
“The voice of youth is not just about the future. It is about the present. Our inclusion in environmental decision-making is not a concession. It is a necessity.”
Six transformative pathways emerge from our collective deliberation, each representing a critical domain where youth leadership can drive meaningful change. Together, they form a roadmap for intergenerational environmental governance.
Executive Summary
Six interconnected pathways that together form a comprehensive youth-led agenda for environmental governance and action.
Shift governance frameworks to be inclusive, transparent, and accountable across all levels.
Accelerate climate action that centres human rights, Indigenous knowledge, and youth leadership.
Build economies that restore ecosystems, eliminate waste, and prioritise well-being over profit.
Ensure universal access to environmental education that empowers informed action.
Halt biodiversity loss through ecosystem restoration, species protection, and sustainable land use.
Guarantee universal access to clean air, safe water, and healthy oceans for current and future generations.
The complete Global Youth Declaration on the Environment, including all preambular text, the full 6 Transformations, and the call to action, available as a PDF.
The Global Youth Declaration is a living document. Young people and youth organisations are invited to endorse, share, and build on this declaration in their local and regional contexts.