ABSTRACT
Children and youth have asserted themselves as political agents through street protest, digital advocacy, intergenerational alliances, and strategic litigation. In this chapter, the ways in which existing decision-making structures are (or are not) adapting to the climate action of children and youth are analysed. National and sub-national initiatives, such as child/youth climate assemblies and advisory councils, are examined. Multilateral arenas – most prominently the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the drafting process in relation to General Comment No. 26 are also examined. Whether recent innovations merely amplify the voice of children/youth or genuinely redistribute power is assessed. The transformative potential of child/youth-centred governance is outlined, and structural hurdles are considered.
