Environmental justice seen by youth. The case of youth representatives in the international negotiations on climate change, biodiversity and sustainable development
(2026) Journal of Youth Studies — n° /, p. 1-20 (2026)
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- Abstract
- This article analyses environmental justice from the perspective of youth engaged in international environmental negotiations (aged 16–35 in accordance with United Nations (UN) definitions). It complements existing research by building on comprehensive data: 141 interviews with youth participants, 63% female, 54% from the Global South, 44% firstcomers, in three different major negotiation arenas: the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conferences of the Parties (COPs, COP 27 and 28), the 15th and 16th COPs of the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the 2023 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development Goals. The study reveals the existence of a common framing of environmental justice across negotiation platforms, gender identities, geographical backgrounds, and levels of experience in international negotiations. We find that youth conceptualize environmental justice along distributive, recognition, and participatory dimensions. On distributive justice, intergenerational and intragenerational both concerns. On recognition, self-recognition is the greater challenge; on participatory dimensions, procedural justice, with barriers such as limited financial resources and restrictive observer status remains central to their claims. This confirms that youth are not merely protesters but proactive agents in global environmental governance, who advocate for greater inclusion in decision-making, recognition as political actors, and solidarity with other marginalized groups.
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Duque, J. F., & Orsini, A. (2026). Environmental justice seen by youth. The case of youth representatives in the international negotiations on climate change, biodiversity and sustainable development. Journal of Youth Studies, /, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2026.2660722 (Original work published 2026)