What happens when teenagers go head-to-head with world leaders? Over the past few years, we’ve seen just how powerful youth activism (check out our action-packed kid's book on the topic) can be, especially when it comes to climate.

A 2024 study by Marquardt, Lövbrand, and Buhre, The Politics of Youth Representation at Climate Change Conferences, shows how young people are reshaping climate talks from the inside. But it also highlights the tensions between grassroots energy and the formal, often slow world of global institutions.

From protest signs to speaking at the UN

The report looks at YOUNGO, the official youth group within the UN’s climate conferences. Unlike most youth movements that protest from the outside, YOUNGO works within the system: delivering speeches, submitting proposals, and even negotiating policies.

The authors found that young people are actually influencing decisions at the table.

Who gets a seat at the table?

But not all young people are represented equally. The study points out a few problems:

  • Most youth speakers come from wealthier countries—even though the worst impacts of climate change hit poorer countries hardest.
  • It’s easier to get involved if you’re from an established NGO and can afford to travel.
  • You usually need to speak fluent English and understand policy jargon, which creates even more barriers.

So while youth voices are growing, they often reflect only a slice of the movement.

Is working with institutions helping - or hurting - the message?

Getting access to the UN is powerful but there’s a risk. The study warns that activist language can get watered down. Demands like “climate justice now” often become vague terms like “inclusive sustainability pathways.”

Still, many young activists are finding ways to use this space without losing their voice. They’re blending bold messages with strategic diplomacy.

Shifting the conversation

Despite the challenges, youth campaigners have already made big changes:

  • They’ve pushed “climate justice” into official UN documents.
  • They’ve introduced the idea of intergenerational fairness, reminding leaders to think long-term.
  • They’ve amplified Indigenous and marginalised voices in spaces where they were often ignored.

This isn’t token participation, it’s changing how the UN talks about climate.

Struggles within the movement

The study also mentions internal debates:

  • Some activists worry they’re being co-opted or losing their independence.
  • Others believe real change only comes by working within the system.
  • And there are generational tensions, for example young people pushing for urgent action versus older negotiators who prefer small steps.

But these debates are part of a growing, maturing movement.

Where to go from here

The authors suggest a few ways to keep youth activism strong and effective:

  • Make space for more diverse voices - especially from the Global South and underrepresented communities.
  • Keep the urgency and clarity in your messaging, even when working with big institutions.
  • Combine tactics - keep protesting in the streets and pushing policy at the table.

This dual approach might be the most powerful tool activists have.

They’re not waiting for the future

Young people involved in the climate movement aren’t just part of the climate conversation, they’re reshaping it as much as they can. As this study shows, their influence at the UN is helping shift the norms and language around climate justice.

They’re not waiting their turn. They’re already leading.

Also, check out our action-packed adventure for 3-6 year olds - Ally & Bibi: Back to the Jungle - based on the Sustainable Development Goals, a framework to create better, fairer lives for everyone and the planet (but written in a much more interesting way 😉)