Read the entire text of the declaration here!

United Voice of the International Youth Climate Movement

 

 

“Survival is not Negotiable”

 

 

We, the International Youth Climate Movement present during COP15 – from diverse corners of the world, have traveled thousands of miles so you can hear our voice in Copenhagen;

 

Affirming that our oceans are rising, our ecosystems are changing, extreme weather events are occurring more frequently, and our people are being displaced;

 

Declaring that the survival of countries and peoples is not negotiable;

 

Reminding parties that the outcome of the current negotiations will primarily affect future generations;

 

United by a common goal to work together for an ambitious, equitable and just, legally binding agreement;

 

Have agreed to push parties to commit to the following;

 

· Limiting temperature rise to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius.

· CO₂ concentrations to be stabilized at no more than 350ppm CO2 equivalence.

· For Annex I countries: a target of at least 45% reduction of CO2 levels by 2020, 95% by 2050.

· Developing, monitoring and implementing carbon reduction action plans and climate response strategies.

· Promoting and empowering fair representative youth participation in decision making.

· Ensuring adequate financing for adaptation and mitigation efforts through independent and transparent mechanisms.

· For the developed world to recognize their historical responsibility and repay their climate debt.

· Committing to justice as defined in the Bali Principles of Climate Justice.

· Ensuring technology transfer is equitable, needs based and adequately financed.

· Developing a fair mechanism for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, which respects indigenous peoples’ rights.

· Assisting the transition toward a renewable economy.

 

 

We will live in a world shaped by your decisions, we urge you to listen.

 

“You have been negotiating all our lives, you cannot tell us that you need more time” – Christina Ora, born 1992, YOUNGO representative plenary address on Day 1, COP15.