The Council of Europe has long recognised the importance of a healthy environment as a basic human right. It has adopted several texts that demand a shift in policies, to ensure that a healthy environment is recognised as a basic human right. These initiatives highlight the Council of Europe’s ongoing efforts to protect the environment and uphold human rights, which were recently reaffirmed in the 2023 Reykjavik Declaration.
Given the Council of Europe’s commitment to a healthy environment and human rights-based approach to environmental protection, Matjaž Gruden, Director of Democracy of the Council of Europe, reminded that the triple planetary crisis of global warming, pollution and loss of biodiversity is also stress test for democracy.
“The necessary policies to reduce CO2-emissions are increasingly obstructed by climate denialism and extremist politics. Democratic backsliding is restricting civic space, depriving young people of their right to a safe democratic environment in which they can participate in decision-making processes concerning their life. The Council of Europe priority is to protect young people’s right to democracy and their right to a healthy, clean and sustainable environment. Their right to a future”, said Gruden.
Michael Teutsch, acting Director for Youth, Education and Erasmus+ at the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture of the European Commission said on this occasion: “Sustainability is essential for transforming our economy, reshaping societies, and tackling the major challenges we are facing. It will be central to the next Commission's agenda. President-elect von der Leyen is dedicated to amplifying young people's voices in shaping our future. The new Youth Advisory Board and a directive for all Commissioners to engage in dialogues with youth will ensure their perspectives are heard, helping us build a brighter future together.”
Jorge Orlando, Chair of the European Steering Committee for Youth (CDEJ) and Nina Grmuša, Chair of the Advisory Council on Youth (CCJ), as representatives of statutory bodies addressed the participants of the Symposium.
“I wish to highlight the Recommendation on Young People and Climate Action, that does not acknowledge problems, it calls for action. It is youth advocacy tool and a guide for governments on how to elevate human rights of environmental defenders in practice – how to listen and act accordingly”, said Nina Grmuša.
The keynote speakers particularly reminded the audience that there is a close link between mitigating the effects of climate change and the need for work on social justice.
Eimear Manning, Youth and climate justice development officer at the National Youth council of Ireland said: "Young people in Europe already feel personally affected by climate change, and uncertainty for their futures is on the rise. However, the eco-anxiety response to the climate crisis can be quelled through community action. This symposium is bringing together a like-minded, but diverse, community of actors who have the potential to combine their voices into a much larger movement. I'm excited to see what builds from this Symposium".
The Symposium covers five key thematic areas: climate emotions and eco-anxiety, climate litigation and lawsuits against States, local climate activism, global youth engagement in climate and the unequal impact of climate change on vulnerable or marginalised groups or communities.
Council of Europe’s youth sector is actively working towards greening the youth sector, by supporting research, education and training activities focused on the environment and climate justice, and practical guidelines for organising sustainable educational and learning mobility activities.
Learn more:
Symposium: Young people, democracy and climate action
Parliamentary Assembly’s Resolution on the right to a healthy environment (2021)
Council of Ministers’ Recommendation CM/Rec(2022)20 on human rights and the protection of the environment (2022)
Committee of Ministers’ recommendation on young people and climate action (2024)
