A total of 67 youth delegates aged between 12 to 24 from across Ireland attended the third annual National Youth Assembly on Climate on 11 April and they produced nine key recommendations which can be found within the recently published report.
"Climate change is the biggest challenge facing us all, and none more so than young people who are living already with the impact of the actions of former generations," said Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan.
"We have to listen and we have to take heed of their very real concerns about our planet and their futures.
"But we must listen to them actively, involve young people in our policy development act on what they are telling us.
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"The National Youth Assembly on Climate gives young people a very tangible and practical way to guide national policy and I thank everyone involved for their time and efforts in making these recommendations which will inform our national climate policy and help shape a better Ireland."
Meanwhile, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, who published the report alongside Minister Ryan, said: "I would like to thank the delegates for their continued efforts in progressing these important issues and providing a much needed prospective to the climate conversation.
"The recommendations contained within this report will be considered for inclusion in the 2025 Climate Action Plan."
Included in the key recommendations from the Youth Assembly were: Climate change and sustainability should be actively taught in CSPE classes; In order to keep people engaged in climate there should be initiatives, careers and a rewards systems in place; The Government should prioritise funding for public transport and improve rail infrastructure particularly; There should be a universal travel card like the leap card usable across the whole island of Ireland; There should be less taxation on eco-friendly items or more on non eco-friendly items.
All of the recommendations for action are included in the report, which can be accessed here.
