The Road from LCOY USA to COP29

*From left to right: Blue Planet Alliance Global Ambassadors Muna, Stacie, and Alyssa at the 2024 Local Conference of Youth in Tempe, Arizona*

Youth voices are a critical component of the overall climate discussion. Blue Planet Alliance recognizes this, and that is why we have a vigorous Blue Planet Alliance Global Ambassador program, which gives young people 16-30 a voice, and the opportunity to help us spread our mission of helping islands transition to 100% renewable energy.

Earlier this fall, we had the opportunity to send three of our youth ambassadors, as well as our Global Ambassador Youth Coordinator, to the U.S. edition of the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY), a pivotal event within the global framework of youth-led climate action, officially endorsed by YOUNGO, the Youth and Children’s Constituency to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This year, LCOY USA convened from September 13-15 in Tempe, Arizona, gathering over 125 young activists from across the nation to discuss climate priorities and draft policy demands for COP29, which will be held in Azerbaijan.

*All of the Local Conference of Youth 2024 attendees, including Blue Planet Alliance Global Ambassadors Muna, Stacie, and Alyssa*

Objectives

LCOY serves as a precursor to the Conference of Parties (COP) and aims to consolidate the voices of young people into the Global Youth Statement (GYS). Through Local COYs held in over 70 countries, young activists have the opportunity to network, build capacity, and address the specific climate realities of their regions. The objectives of LCOY USA included:

Facilitating discussions on national and international climate priorities.
Networking among young climate activists.
Drafting the National Youth Statement on Climate (NYS) to contribute to the Global Youth Statement for COP29.

Conference Overview

LCOY USA is a youth-led, youth-organized initiative designed to empower young leaders in climate advocacy. The conference provided a platform for participants to learn, collaborate, and strategize on effective climate action.

Key Topics Discussed

During the conference, delegates focused on three critical areas relevant to the U.S. climate agenda:

Adaptation: Strategies for enhancing resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Funding the Future: Discussions centered around financing mechanisms that support climate initiatives and sustainable development.
Emission Reductions: Strategies and policies aimed at decreasing greenhouse gas emissions at local and national levels.

The Ambassadors we sent are all high school students from New York City — Muna, Stacie, and Alyssa — who were accompanied by our Global Ambassador Coordinator, Molly Rosaaen. What follows are some thoughts from each of the participants on the process:

Muna

Aside from emission reductions, it was eye-opening to learn about the policies that other focus groups had drafted from Adaptation and Funding the Future, especially since I lack expertise in those areas. It was inspiring to see how our fellow delegates uplifted marginalized communities and those living on the frontiers of climate change, such as Indigenous communities, coastal communities, and those residing near industry. For instance, one of the domestic policies for Funding the Future is as follows: “Create equitable access to climate finance for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), uphold sovereignty of Indigenous peoples, and incorporate Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) into all climate-related projects.” I am truly grateful for being given the opportunity to attend LCOY this year.

Stacie

As an ambassador who has attended the LCOY since its first conference in Pennsylvania, I am truly amazed by the progress the organizers have achieved. It has been an incredible experience meeting young ambassadors from across the United States who share my interests. Being one of the few high school students at the first LCOY, it’s inspiring to see so many other high schoolers at the third conference, highlighting the importance of events like these in promoting youth inclusion. This year, I’ve learned a great deal about advocacy and policy drafting, from reaching out to politicians to effectively wording demands in policy. I’m excited to see how LCOY continues to grow and amplify underrepresented voices in these critical discussions.

Alyssa

It was incredibly inspiring to be around so many other young people who were also passionate about climate policy. This was a unique environment where people all around the nation who were inspired to bring about change were brought together. I learned so much from just listening to conversations in addition to being a part of them. They reframed the picture of what climate policy should look like, and always made sure to include discussions around indigenous and other frontline communities, which I thought was so important and appreciated. I look forward to attending LCOY 2025!

Molly

It was my first year attending LCOY USA and it was empowering to be in a space of fellow young people who care so much about the climate and protecting our futures. I was a part of many conversations surrounding domestic needs regarding climate change and many of the topics were new to me. Above all, there was a strong sense of community in our collaboration because youth voices are vital for amplifying our voices and shaping meaningful policy.

Conclusion

LCOY USA 2024 successfully brought together young climate advocates to formulate a unified stance on pressing climate issues. By fostering dialogue and collaboration, the conference not only empowered participants but also ensured that youth perspectives are integral to national and international climate discussions. The resulting National Youth Statement on Climate will serve as a critical tool for engaging with policymakers and advocating for meaningful climate action at COP29 and beyond.