Commonwealth Youth issue statement on Youth Inclusive Climate-Health Financing
June 21Climate change constitutes the defining public health crisis of our era, exerting disproportionate impacts on youth populations across the globe. Within the Commonwealth, young people – comprising over 60% of the population – are not only among the most vulnerable to climate-health risks including rising mental health burdens, heat stress, and vector-borne diseases, but also represent the key agents of transformative change.
While young people are increasingly recognised as key stakeholders in climate and health action—contributing to awareness campaigns, community adaptation efforts, and innovative health solutions—their participation in climate-health financing processes remains limited in many contexts.
Taking this into consideration, in May at the recent Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting in Geneva, a statement was delivered which focused on advancing youth-inclusive climate-health financing and highlighted key priorities identified by young people across the Commonwealth.
The statement was delivered on behalf of the Commonwealth Youth Health Network, the Commonwealth Youth Climate Change Network, the Commonwealth Asia Youth Alliance, and Amplify Health and Development in Africa.
The statement was derived from a position paper that was finalized in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat.
