COP30 Policy and Advocacy Brief
This brief calls for action that ensures children and future generations — including girls — are recognised as rights-holders and essential partners in climate solutions.
Children and youth today are leading the charge for climate justice — standing up for their own futures and those of generations to come. The International Court of Justice in its July 2025 Advisory Opinion confirmed that governments have both a legal and moral duty to protect the rights of present and future generations from the climate crisis.
Yet over one billion children remain at extreme risk, which continues to limit development opportunities and exacerbate humanitarian crises around the globe. As we approach the COP30 climate negotiations in Brazil in November 2025, the world is experiencing yet another record-breaking year of intensifying climate change.
Impact of climate change on girls and young women
Children and youth, particularly girls and young women, are immediately affected by the climate crisis. They are also leaders in developing effective responses and adaptation strategies to build resilience.
The climate crisis limits children and youth – especially girls and young women – from accessing economic and educational opportunities, impacting health, nutrition access to sexual and reproductive rights services, and increasing the risk of gender-based violence and early and forced marriage.
“As young people living on the frontlines of the climate crisis, we carry the weight of disrupted futures — but also the determination to shape solutions that are just, inclusive and lasting.”
Faith, 21, Sierra Leone, SheLeads COP30 Youth Declaration
What is at stake
This brief calls for action that ensures children and future generations — including girls — are recognised as rights-holders and essential partners in climate solutions. It lays out four interrelated recommendations for COP30:
- Scale up rights-based climate finance that reaches girls, youth, and communities most at risk.
- Champion girls’ and youth leadership in implementation.
- Adopt and resource a strengthened Gender Action Plan (GAP).
- Advance social resilience and a just transition for future generations.
The outcomes of COP30 will be judged by whether governments fulfil their obligations to protect children and future generations from the climate crisis. By embedding child rights, gender equality, and youth leadership across finance, adaptation, and governance, parties can turn this conference into a turning point for people, rights, and the planet.
This brief sets out Plan International’s calls to action to parties, negotiators, and leaders at COP30.
Download the brief
Policy Brief COP30
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