Legislating the Future: European Youth Climate Activists at the Policy Table

Editors’ note: This piece is from Nonprofit Quarterly Magazine’s fall 2024 issue, “Supporting the Youth Climate Justice Movement.”

For our generation—those of us born in the 1990s, who have grown up amid an increasingly concerning discourse on climate change—the environmental future appears bleak and uncertain. The climate crisis, as the Swiss ecotheologist Michel Maxime Egger has noted, is also an internal crisis—impacting, as it does, our mental and spiritual wellbeing.¹ Many young people are suffering the effects of the ever-rising environmental degradation, not only in their communities but also on a psychological level: around the world, eco-anxiety is emerging as a primary cause of mental health concerns.² According to a 2021 study published by the Lancet, “children and young people in countries around the world report climate anxiety and other distressing emotions and thoughts about climate change that impact their daily lives.”³ The study also notes the following:

This distress was associated with beliefs about inadequate governmental response and feelings of betrayal. A large proportion of children and young people around the world report emotional distress and a wide range of painful, complex emotions (sad, afraid, angry, powerless, helpless, guilty, ashamed, despair, hurt, grief, and depressed). Similarly, large numbers report experiencing some functional impact and have pessimistic beliefs about the future (people have failed to care for the planet; the future is frightening; humanity is doomed; they won’t have access to the same opportunities their parents had; things they value will be destroyed; security is threatened; and they are hesitant to have children).⁴

And young people are unequivocal about who is to blame:

By endangering and harming fundamental human needs, the climate crisis is also a human rights issue. Legal bodies recognise an intersection between human rights, climate change, and climate anxiety. Subjecting young people to climate anxiety and moral injury can be regarded as cruel, inhuman, degrading, or even torturous. This provides further understanding for the current phenomenon of climate criminology, in which children and young people are voicing their concerns through legal cases as an attempt to have their distress legitimised and validated legally in the face of government inaction.⁵

Election Implications for Climate Policy

In Europe, 2024 has been a decisive year for climate activism. The future of the region’s environmental policies is being shaped, with youth climate activists playing a vital role. The European elections have determined the composition of the Parliament for the next five years, directly impacting the region’s climate agenda. It is also a crucial year for policies like the European Green Deal,⁶ the Fit for 55 package,⁷ and the European Climate Law,⁸ among others, that are critical for mitigating global warming. This year has been especially important because, in February 2024, the European Commission presented its assessment for a 2040 climate target for the EU, recommending a reduction of net greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent by 2040 compared to 1990 levels.⁹ So, 2024 will serve as a key checkpoint for assessing progress and making necessary adjustments to meet the EU’s climate goals.

Moreover, extreme weather events in 2024 are highlighting the gravity, extent, and complexity of climate change. In the past months, Europe has witnessed devastating floods, brutal wildfires, deadly cyclones, severe droughts, and blistering heat waves, among a long list of unprecedented climate incidents across the globe.¹⁰ This has been a particularly harsh year for damaged ecosystems, endangered species, and vulnerable populations worldwide.¹¹

The year 2024 is also one filled with concerns about a far-right resurgence in Europe. Although the European Parliament elections resulted in a composition that prevented the far-right from gaining a majority, the overall landscape remains worrying. Far-right politicians are now occupying just 49 shy of a quarter (131) of the 720 seats.¹² Countries like France and Germany—two major European Union states—are currently facing a concerning panorama, with their respective Alternative for Germany (AfD) and National Rally (RN) parties gaining prominence.¹³ This raises the possibility of a far-right influence spreading across the continent. And the pressing question arises: What implications does this have for climate policy?

The Long and Winding Road of the Nature Restoration Law

In June 2022, the European Commission proposed a Nature Restoration Law,¹⁴ designed to help achieve the EU’s climate and biodiversity targets in the coming decades. A key objective of this law is “to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea by 2030,” with the broader aim of rehabilitating “all ecosystems ‘in need of restoration’ by 2050.”¹⁵

The Nature Restoration Law is considered a rare piece of legislation in the context of EU policy, due to its ambitious approach to environmental restoration. “This law is not about restoring nature for the sake of nature. It is about ensuring a habitable environment where the wellbeing of current and future generations is ensured,” said the EU environment, oceans, and fisheries commissioner, Virginijus Sinkevičius.¹⁶

The legislation requires “EU countries…to restore at least 30% of habitats…[currently] in poor condition by 2030…60% by 2040 and 90% by 2050.”¹⁷ The proposal is intended to complement existing environmental policies, aligning with EU environmental laws across a wide range of ecosystems, including terrestrial, marine, freshwater, and urban areas.¹⁸ Moreover, it aligns with the EU Forest Strategy for 2030, which emphasizes strengthening the protection and sustainable management of EU forests.

On February 27, 2024, the European Parliament approved the Nature Restoration Law, “with 329 votes in favour, 275 against and 24 abstentions.”¹⁹ The final step for passing the law was a vote by the European Council, scheduled for late March. However, the vote was postponed indefinitely by the Belgian presidency of the Council of the EU “after eight member states, including Hungary and Italy, withdrew support for the legislation.”²⁰

Despite the broad support this law gathered from a diverse range of groups since it was first proposed—including associations, scientists, major companies, and nongovernmental organizations like the World Wildlife Fund, BirdLife International, and Greenpeace—it also faced strong opposition. The detractors primarily came from two key sources: “the major agricultural lobby group Copa-Cogeca and the EPP [center-right European People’s Party].”²¹ Copa-Cogeca, along with a number of additional lobby groups, strongly opposed the legislation from the beginning. Their criticism centers on the claim that green legislation will impose obligations on farmers that could threaten their ability to remain on their lands and sustain their businesses.²² The EPP raised concerns that the law could lead to “global famine” and “increased food prices.”²³

These assertions were countered by an open letter signed by 3,000 scientists, published in June 2023. Although the letter did not directly mention any group or organization, it responded to the arguments, declaring that they “not only lack scientific evidence, but even contradict it.”²⁴

After a long and winding road, the Nature Restoration Law was finally approved on June 17, 2024. As reported by the Council of the European Union, “The regulation will now be published in the EU’s Official Journal and enter into force. It will become directly applicable in all member states.”²⁵

The case of the Nature Restoration Law is one of many that illustrates how conservative and far-right parties, along with powerful lobby groups and populist movements, are becoming significant threats to Europe’s climate-change efforts. The fact that it was ultimately approved should not prevent us from recognizing the dangers the continent faces.

Resisting the Climate Backlash

During the European elections campaign, far-right parties declared their intention to block the execution of the Green Deal;²⁶ the center-right European People’s Party, which secured a majority of seats in the European elections, announced plans to review the 2035 ban on the sale of combustion engine cars—a key component of the European Green Deal;²⁷ and the European Conservatives and Reformists Party has strongly opposed the European Commission’s proposal, unveiled in February 2024, for a carbon reduction target of 90 percent by 2040.²⁸

Bleak as it may seem, 2024 also brings hope for environmental initiatives, fresh projects for climate restoration, and novel opportunities for young people.

At the same time, green parties saw a decline in influence during the elections. Five years after expanding from 52 to 74 seats²⁹—largely driven by mass rallies that sparked what was once called a “quiet revolution”³⁰—they fell back to 53.³¹ Consequently, the media is now discussing a “green backlash.”³²

Bleak as it may seem, 2024 also brings hope for environmental initiatives, fresh projects for climate restoration, and novel opportunities for young people. And the best thing is this: no matter where you come from or how many resources or how much knowledge you have, there is always something you can do from your own context and capabilities.

A Panorama of Europe’s Youth-Led Climate Organizations

European youth organizations are at the forefront of advocating for climate policies, demonstrating that a greener future is attainable. As young people, we have the opportunity to engage with and contribute to shaping our future. Initiatives such as Generation Climate Europe, ClimaTalk, and Youth and Environment Europe are working tirelessly to amplify our voices in environmental policy shaping.

Generation Climate Europe

Generation Climate Europe is the “[l]argest coalition of youth-led networks on climate and environmental issues at the European level.”³³ At present, it is uniting 381 national organizations from 46 countries in Europe.³⁴ Through its various working groups, GCE offers individuals under the age of 35 the chance to participate in Europe’s decision-making processes on environmental matters, covering topics such as clean mobility, circular economy, biodiversity, and energy and climate justice.

In the weeks leading up to the European elections, GCE organized an online empowerment program titled “From Action to Elections: Sparking Youth Mobilisation in Europe.”³⁵ Supported by the European Parliament, this program provided participants with insights into the European Parliament elections, the various parties and their manifestos, and the parties’ pivotal roles in shaping the EU’s environmental policies. It also equipped young people with the tools and knowledge necessary to actively engage in climate activism, whether through in-person or online initiatives.

GCE offers various volunteering positions, including the opportunity to join one of its working groups as a project officer, project lead, or coordinator, or to contribute to its internal functioning through its communications, operations, or institutional relations teams.

ClimaTalk

ClimaTalk is a youth-led nongovernmental organization with more than 100 volunteers from over 30 countries. ClimaTalk regularly publishes articles aimed at demystifying climate policies, making them accessible and understandable for everyone.³⁶ Additionally, it runs five different projects: three focused on climate and policy law and two addressing climate education and careers.³⁷

The organization offers volunteering positions for people between 18 and 30 years old, whether they are university students, graduates, young professionals, or climate activists. It is currently looking for new volunteer writers to join its author team, and also offers the possibility to submit an open application for other volunteer positions.³⁸

ClimaTalk has been particularly focused on the European Parliament’s elections, analyzing the seven different groups and their climate policies. It created a PDF resource that, through infographics and comprehensive data, allowed people to understand the composition of each bloc and their environmental priorities.³⁹

Youth and Environment Europe

YEE’s board, staff, and volunteers are all under 35, thus empowering young people to engage in environmental activism and be recognized as distinct stakeholders in international climate negotiations.

Youth and Environment Europe is a youth-led and youth-centered organization that aims to “empower young people by providing them with skills, resources, and opportunities to participate actively and responsibly in society.”⁴⁰ With its extensive network of local and grassroots organizations across Europe, it represents the voices of European youth. Its actions aim to support young people to become environmental leaders and make positive, long-lasting changes in their communities.

YEE’s board, staff, and volunteers are all under 35, thus empowering young people to engage in environmental activism and be recognized as distinct stakeholders in international climate negotiations. YEE’s main activities include volunteering experiences, workshops, and content creation, all with a strong focus on advocacy. YEE equips youth “to raise awareness” about pressing societal issues, and provides a comprehensive understanding of environmental justice and principles such as intersectionality—enabling active participation in international decision-making processes.⁴¹

The organization works on a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from environmental law and policy to climate justice, green finance, biodiversity, and ocean conservation, among others. Recent activities include a workshop on the future of the Green Deal following the European Elections,⁴² a webinar discussing the impacts of European climate lawsuits,⁴³ and a “Training of Trainers” focused on managing eco-anxiety.⁴⁴

Furthermore, between May 26, 2024, and June 2, 2024, YEE organized a study session at the European Youth Center in Budapest focused on the right to a healthy environment.⁴⁵ This program equipped young participants with knowledge and tools to enhance their influence and amplify their voices in European legislation concerning environmental issues, so that they can actively contribute to shaping policy recommendations and address climate challenges from diverse perspectives.

Finding Hope amid the Challenges

Understanding how European environmental activism operates, as well as its trends and interests, is crucial for gaining insight into how people in the EU perceive ecological challenges. Surveys such as the Eurobarometer indicate that Europeans demonstrate high levels of concern regarding environmental issues.⁴⁶ And the figures are quite encouraging: “More than three-quarters of Europeans (78%)” believe that ecological challenges “have a direct effect on their daily life and their health.” Moreover, “(84%) agree that EU environmental legislation is necessary for protecting the environment in their country.”⁴⁷

The Eurobarometer also indicates that many European countries, including Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, and Spain, demonstrate strong concern regarding the climate crisis.⁴⁸ Additionally, the Eurobarometer shows that Europeans consider a circular economy to be the most effective approach to combating environmental problems,⁴⁹ followed by efforts to restore nature.⁵⁰ Generally, Europeans are increasingly interested in adopting more responsible consumer behaviors, such as purchasing sustainable products and reducing waste.⁵¹

And this should be a barometer for the world. I’m writing this article at the midpoint of the year, just a few days after the summer solstice. After being at the European Youth Centre in Budapest with YEE, learning about European green policies, and participating in GCE’s online empowerment program about the European elections, I can say there’s still hope. The year 2024 may seem like a very unpromising one for the environment; upon closer inspection, however, there are small yet resilient seeds of hope. This year, I’ve met people from all around Europe who are concerned to the point of fear about their local climate realities. But they have not lost hope—and neither should we.

Notes

1. Michel Maxime Egger, La Terre comme soi-même: Repères pour une écospiritualité (Geneva, Switzerland: Labor et Fides, 2012). And see Christophe Monnot and Alexandre Grandjean, “The Figure of the Meditator-Activist. A Redeployment of Religion Through Ecological Commitment in Switzerland?,” Archives de Sciences Sociales des religions 66, no. 194 (April–June 2021): 111–30.
2. Tori Tsui, “A New Way to See Your Climate Anxiety,” Wired, January 22, 2024, wired.com/story/a-new-way-to-see-your-climate-anxiety/.
3. Caroline Hickman et , “Climate anxiety in children and young people and their beliefs about government responses to climate change: a global survey,” Lancet Planetary Health 5, no. 12 (December 2021): e863–73.
4. Ibid, e870.
5. Ibid, e871.
6. “The European Green Deal: Striving to be the first climate-neutral continent,” European Commission, accessed August 29, 2024, europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en.
7. “Fit for 55,” European Council of the European Union, accessed August 29, 2024, consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/green-deal/fit-for-55/.
8. “European Climate Law,” European Commission, accessed August 29, 2024, ec.europa.eu/eu-action/european-climate-law_en.
9. “2024 climate target: Reducing net emissions by 90% by 2040,” European Commission, accessed September 5, 2024, ec.europa.eu/eu-action/climate-strategies-targets/2040-climate-target_en.
10. Euronews with Agencies, “Fires, floods and heatwaves plague Europe as extreme weather persists,” Euronews, June 12, 2024, euronews.com/2024/06/12/extreme-weather-is-causing-floods-in-some-parts-of-europe-and-heatwaves-in-others.
11. World Weather Attribution, accessed August 29, 2024, worldweatherattribution.org/2024/.
12. Lorne Cook, “The main takeaways after the far right rocks European politics, sparking a snap election in France,” Associated Press, June 10, 2024, com/article/eu-european-election-france-germany-far-right-f3823de802e9a90570abc53e7f6b6931.
13. Ibid.
14. Directorate-General for Environment, “Proposal for a Nature Restoration Law,” European Commission, June 22, 2022, ec.europa.eu/publications/nature-restoration-law_eneur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52022PC0304.
15. “European Council Approves Nature Restoration Law,” Latham & Watkins, LLP, June 27, 2024, lw.com/en/insights/european-council-approves-nature-restoration-law.
16. Ajit Niranjan, “European parliament votes for watered-down law to restore nature,” The Guardian, February 27, 2024, theguardian.com/environment/2024/feb/27/european-parliament-votes-for-watered-down-law-to-restore-nature-farmers-protests.
17. Ryan Hanrahan, “EU Adopts ‘Nature Restoration Plan’ Despite Ag Opposition,” Farm Policy News, June 17, 2024, illinois.edu/2024/06/eu-adopts-nature-restoration-plan-despite-ag-opposition/.
18. “Proposal for a Nature Restoration Law,” European Commission, June 22, 2022, ec.europa.eu/publications/nature-restoration-law_en.
19. Kate Abnett, “EU Parliament passes nature law despite political backlash,” Reuters, February 27, 2024, reuters.com/world/europe/eu-parliament-passes-nature-law-despite-political-backlash-2024-02-27/.
20. Lisa O’Carroll, “EU nature restoration laws face collapse as member states withdraw support,” The Guardian, March 25, 2024, theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/25/eu-nature-restoration-laws-in-balance-as-member-states-withdraw-support.
21. Multiple authors, “Q&A: What does the EU ‘nature restoration’ law mean for climate and biodiversity?,” CarbonBrief, February 28, 2024, carbonbrief.org/qa-what-does-the-eu-nature-restoration-law-mean-for-climate-and-biodiversity/.
22. Isabel Marques da Silva, “European farmers challenge current nature restoration proposal,” Euronews, last modified May 6, 2023, euronews.com/my-europe/2023/06/01/european-farmers-challenge-current-nature-restoration-proposal.
23. EPP Group (@EPPGroup), “If European farmers are forced to abandon 10% of farmland, this will lead to: Increased food prices; More imports of unsafe food that does not meet EU standards; Even a global famine; Farmers out of ” X, March 23, 2023, 3:30 p.m., x.com/EPPGroup/status/1638986561894367232?s=20.
24. Kate Abnett, “Scientists fight claim EU nature law hurts farmers,” Reuters, last modified June 13, 2023, reuters.com/sustainability/scientists-fight-claim-eu-nature-law-hurts-farmers-2023-06-13/.
25. European Council of the European Union, “Nature restoration law: Council gives final green light,” news release, June 17, 2024, consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/06/17/nature-restoration-law-council-gives-final-green-light/.
26. Armida van Rij et , “How will gains by the far right affect the European Parliament and EU?,” Chatham House, June 11, 2024, www.chathamhouse.org/2024/06/how-will-gains-far-right-affect-european-parliament-and-eu.
27. Martina Igini, “EU Gives Final Approval to 2035 Ban on Sales of CO2-Emitting Cars With E-Fuels Exemption,” Earth.Org, March 29, 2023, org/eu-ban-cars/.
28. Ibid.
29. The Editorial Board, “Europe’s Green Backlash,” Financial Times, June 11, 2024, ft.com/content/ eb9ea439-47e0-417d-a035-9a61109d4c44.
30. Emma Graham-Harrison, “A quiet revolution sweeps Europe as Greens become a political force,” The Guardian, June 2, 2019, theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/02/european-parliament-election-green-parties-success.
31. “Europe’s Green ”
32. Ibid.
33. “Largest coalition of youth-led networks on climate and environmental issues at the European level,” Generation Climate Europe, accessed August 30, 2024, org/.
34. Ibid.
35. “From Action to Elections: Sparking Youth Mobilisation in Europe—Call for Participants,” Generation Climate Europe, March 4, 2024, org/from-action-to-elections-sparking-youth-mobilisation-in-europe-call-for-participants/.
36. “Our Climate Is Talking: Are you ready to listen?,” ClimaTalk, accessed August 31, 2024, org/.
37. ClimaTalk, “Projects” page, accessed August 31, 2024, org/.
38. “The World Needs You: And so does ClimaTalk!,” ClimaTalk, accessed August 31, 2024, org/get-involved/.
39. See EU Parliament Elections: The 7 Blocs of the EU Parliament Explained in Connection to Climate Policies (Vienna, Austria: ClimaTalk, 2024).
40. “About YEE: Guiding Principles,” Youth and Environment Europe, accessed August 30, 2024, eu/about-yee/.
41. Ibid.
42. “The Future of the European Green Deal,” Youth and Environment Europe, accessed August 30, 2024, eu/the-future-of-the-european-green-deal/.
43. “Impacts of the European Climate Lawsuits | Webinar,” Youth and Environment Europe, accessed August 30, 2024, eu/impacts-of-the-european-climate-lawsuits-webinar/.
44. “Dealing with Eco-Anxiety | Training of Trainers,” Youth and Environment Europe, accessed August 30, 2024, eu/dealing-with-eco-anxiety-training-of-trainers/.
45. “Right to Healthy Environment | Study session,” Youth and Environment Europe, accessed August 30, 2024, eu/right-to-healthy-environment-study-session/.
46. Directorate-General for Environment, “Europeans continue to feel directly affected by environmental issues and policy,” European Commission, May 29, 2024, ec.europa.eu/news/europeans-continue-feel-directly-affected-environmental-issues-and-policy-2024-05-29_en. See also “50 Years of Listening to Europeans’ Opinions: Celebrating 50 years of Eurobarometer, the European Union’s public opinion service,” European Commission, accessed September 4, 2024, ec.europa.eu/stories/50-years-eurobarometer/.
47. “Attitudes of Europeans towards the environment,” European Union, May 2024, eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/3173.
48. Ibid.
49. Ibid.
50. Directorate-General for the Environment, “Europeans continue to feel directly affected by environmental issues and policy.”
51. “Attitudes of Europeans towards the environment.”