What is an LCOY?
Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) is a national conference for children and young people that focuses on climate change. The overall goal of LCOY is to bring together young people in countries, including Australia, to network, explore and discuss issues related to climate change that affect them. It aims to collate young people’s ideas and experiences into a National Children and Youth Statement on Climate Change, which then contributes to the Global Youth Climate Statement that is submitted to the Conference of Parties (COP) climate negotiations. LCOYs happen around the world under the umbrella of YOUNGO, the official youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). They are organised by local youth and youth-led organisations in the respective countries, chosen by YOUNGO.
National Child and Youth Statement 2025
In Australia, the National Child and Youth Statement was prepared after 27 consultations and two online surveys as part of the LCOY Australia 2025. These consultations reflect the voices of over 800 young people aged between 10 and 30 – their hopes, fears and key recommendations. Consultations were held in all states and territories – every capital city, and regional areas such as Dubbo, Coffs Harbour, Gippsland and Mackay, with contributions from the Uluru Youth Dialogue. All LCOY consultations took place under the endorsement of YOUNGO, the official children and youth constituency to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
"This Statement carries the voices of a generation no longer willing to wait. A collective both diverse yet united, with clarity, courage and conviction. In our cities and regions, from coast to coast – across this continent, young people spoke not just of rising seas and broken systems but of what could be built in their place."
How were young people involved in the design of the LCOYs and development of the final Statement?
Every part of LCOY was youth-led, including the core partnership, consultation design, logistics, facilitation, consolidation of outputs and statement writing. The LCOYs were designed and led by young people from UN Youth Australia, Australian Youth for International Climate Engagement (AYFICE), and Young Ambassadors from UNICEF Australia, with support from UNICEF Australia staff. Several partner organisations also hosted LCOYs, including the Uluru Youth Dialogue, Gen Z Abroad, Leaders 2050, and Monash International Affairs Society (MIAS).
Themes of the Local Conferences of Youth 2025
LCOY 2025 was Australia’s biggest LCOY yet. Over 27 consultations, we explored these key themes:
- First Nations knowledge and practices
- Mitigation
- Climate finance
- Adaptation
- Just transitions
- Youth engagement
- COP31
- Disaster recovery and preparedness
- Pacific partnerships
What the Statement explores
The 2025 National Child and Youth Statement captures the realities of children and young people growing up in Australia. It outlines actions they deem necessary for achieving just and equitable climate change action. Throughout the Statement we explore:
- The increasing impact of climate change on mental health, with many children and young people reporting experiences of climate and eco-anxiety. Feelings of helplessness are common, alongside a strong sense of responsibility to protect the environment – despite limited power or resources to act.
- How extreme weather events force displacement from Country, hindering the intergenerational transfer of cultural and ecological knowledge and First Nations’ connection to ancestral lands.
- How the politicisation of climate change makes it challenging for children and young people to discuss the issue openly. COP31 is seen as an opportunity to platform their voices and the voices of First Nations and Pacific leadership.
- Children and young people’s need for genuine and respectful consultation in policies that impact them, calling for Australia to move away from paternalistic approaches and toward partnerships grounded in humility, reciprocity, and shared decision-making.
"Young people are tired of inaction, we often feel burdened with the problem of climate change even though we aren’t the ones to cause it."
Key Recommendations
Children and young people across Australia want:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership embedded across all stages of climate policy along with meaningful Pacific partnerships.
- Stronger action to reduce Australia's emissions in line with the global 1.5°C target.
- Youth-centred energy transition planning, with targeted education, green skills training and job pathways for a just transition.
- Greater investment in climate-resilient services and infrastructure across schools, hospitals, transport and housing, particularly in regional and rural areas.
- Meaningful opportunities to engage with young people at COP31, including a Children and Youth Advisory Taskforce.
The Australian Local Conference of Youth on Climate Change is supported by:
AYFICE
Australian Youth for International Climate Engagement Incorporate (AYFICE) is a youth-led organisation aiming to bring more young Australian voices into international climate discussions.
UN Youth Australia
UN Youth Australia is a youth-led organization that aims to engage young Australians in discussions about global issues, human rights and international relations.
UNICEF Australia
UNICEF is working to protect children before, during and after emergencies around the world. We work with local partners to deliver lifesaving support and create lasting change.