About the Forum
Young people have put the climate emergency on the global political agenda, demanding that global leaders respond and take action in an equitable and just way. Mayors from the world’s leading cities have heard this call and agree: we must push forward with courage and ambition to change the status quo that has generated this crisis.
C40 mayors and young leaders from the climate movement will work together to shape a vision of a Global Green New Deal that can be made a reality in cities across the world. The Forum will discuss how:
- to implement a Global Green New Deal;
- cities can better engage and work with youth leaders on climate to push forward ambition and;
- youth movements and mayors can work together to push forward science-based climate action and overcome opposition.
The Forum is part of C40’s Global Youth Initiative, announced by Mayor of Los Angeles and former Chair of C40, Eric Garcetti, at the 2019 C40 World Mayors Summit in Copenhagen. Contact youth@c40.org for more information.
Youth members of the Forum
Mayors of the Forum
Activities update
January 2022
The Forum produced a video in partnership with Brut. Media calling for action on climate finance for the Global South. The video features an African youth climate leader and mayor who call on Global North governments to provide $100 billion a year to support the Global South to tackle the climate crisis.
November 2021
During COP26, Forum members were interviewed about their perspectives on the transition to inclusive green jobs. Several Forum members later attended the LA Mayors Youth Council for Climate Action to discuss how to implement global COP26 commitments locally. The Forum also published a Youth Engagement Playbook for Cities to help strengthen meaningful youth engagement in climate action in cities worldwide. The playbook is available in English, French, Mandarin, Portuguese and Spanish.
September 2021
Ahead of COP26, C40 convened the second Global Youth and Mayors Forum meeting, where attendees reflected on the Forum’s COP26 statement, the Cities Race to Zero campaign, global youth strikes and the Youth4Climate Summit.
July 2021
The Forum hosted a webinar on urban climate action and a Global Green New Deal, during which C40 Executive Director Mark Watts delivered a presentation on inclusive climate action and the importance of youth engagement. For C40’s Letters to Nature campaign, Forum member Juliet Oluoch shared a powerful message expressing her gratitude for the role nature and biodiversity plays in her life in Nairobi.
April 2021
The first Global Youth and Mayors Forum meeting was held and attended by youth and mayoral members. Participants discussed how to shape the vision of a Global Green New Deal through inclusive climate action and ways of making this a reality in cities around the world.