South African Youth Statement

The South African Youth Statement, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs, outlines a comprehensive set of recommendations for climate action ahead of COP28. The document advocates for climate justice, intersectional approaches to protect marginalised groups, and a fundamental reform of global climate finance to support the Global South. It calls for a just energy transition in South Africa, the recognition of climate migrants under international law, and the transformation of food systems to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

• The youth of South Africa call for a fundamental reform of the global financial system to address the failure of developed nations to meet the USD 100 billion annual climate finance commitment. They advocate for a new target of USD 200 billion with a clear burden-sharing plan, a preference for grants over debt-burdening loans, and the cancellation of climate-related debts owed by developing countries to developed nations.
• The statement highlights the urgent need for international legal frameworks to recognise and protect climate migrants and refugees, noting that current classifications under the 1951 Geneva Refugee Convention and UN bodies are insufficient.
• Regarding South Africa's energy transition, the youth demand that the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) end subsidies for fossil fuel extraction and combustion. They advocate for a shift toward decentralised renewable energy and the reskilling of truck drivers for the freight and passenger rail sector as part of the Just Energy Transition Plan.
• The document emphasizes the disproportionate impact of climate change on women, children, and Indigenous peoples. It calls for gender-specific funding in areas like food security and health, the protection of Indigenous land rights, and the provision of menstrual hygiene kits during natural disaster relief.
• The statement urges a transformation of global food systems, noting that they contribute one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions and that agriculture is responsible for 80% of deforestation. Recommendations include promoting regenerative agriculture, vertical farming, and reducing the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
• The youth call for the Global Stocktake (GST) to be a turning point that prioritizes the balance between mitigation and adaptation, demands that developed countries reach net-zero emissions before 2050 to allow developing nations more space, and integrates the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDRRC).
• The statement identifies severe health risks associated with mining and climate change, calling for national Health Impact Assessments to give communities a voice in compensation and sustainable development negotiations.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2023). South African Youth Statement. https://saiia.org.za/research/cop28-south-african-youth-statement/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. South African Youth Statement. 2023. https://saiia.org.za/research/cop28-south-african-youth-statement/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=South African Youth Statement |date=29 October 2023 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/cop28-south-african-youth-statement/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2023south, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{South African Youth Statement}}, publisher = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2023}, month = oct, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/cop28-south-african-youth-statement/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }