Contact

The Climate and Nature Emergencies

Youth work plays a significant role in supporting young people to find and use their voice, and play an active role in tackling the climate and nature emergencies.

We are acutely aware of how the climate and nature emergencies will impact Scotland’s young people and how central they have been in demanding climate action. Young people have been calling for urgent change and do not want to have to live with the consequences of global inaction on this crisis for our planet. Future generations deserve a more equal, just, and fair future which is healthy, sustainable and from which no one is left behind.

YouthLink Scotland have been involved in various projects that share learning, best practice and upskill the youth work sector with the tools and confidence to become more climate-literate. We recognise the crucial role that youth work plays in working effectively with young people to build a tangible legacy from COP26 in Glasgow and ultimately meet Scotland’s net zero targets.

With Scotland being one of the first countries to declare a climate emergency there has never been a more crucial time for the youth work sector to step up and lead the way.

A Bright Future

Hear from young people and youth workers about their vison for young people to get what they deserve: a healthy planet, a thriving greener economy and a bright future.

Recent projects on climate and nature emergencies include:

The COP26 residential group stands outside parliament.
COP26 Scottish Youth Climate Programme
The COP26 Scottish Youth Climate Programme was a partnership project between YouthLink Scotland, Young Scot and Keep Scotland Beautiful in the lead up to and beyond the historic 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) hosted in Glasgow in 2021
Climate Emergency Toolkit for youth workers
Climate Emergency Toolkit
This toolkit was created in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful and helps youth workers inform young people about the climate emergency, and empower them to take positive action. It includes activities to help young people learn about, and discuss the impact of our choices on climate change, environment and people.

Our Bright Future logo
Our Bright Future
YouthLink Scotland worked with Our Bright Future to support their policy and advocacy work in Scotland. Each project helped young people aged 11-24 gain vital skills and experience and improve their wellbeing. At the same time, they acted as catalysts for delivering change for their local environment and community - contributing to a greener economy.

On our wave length logo
On Our Wave Length
On Our Wave Length was a youth-led research project exploring environmental impacts on coastal communities. This project was funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund and delivered in partnership with Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland.

The Link: Our Climate Emergency – youth work’s role for people and planet
This magazine brings together international, national and local reflections on the reality of climate change, from a youth work perspective.
96%
of young people in Scotland are concerned about climate change
77%
of young people consider the future to be frightening
65%
of young people feel the government is failing them on issues of climate change
58%
of all green jobs are held by 25 - 49 year olds

"As young people we strive to make a difference to the climate crisis in an inclusive and positive way. We want marginalised voices to be at the heart of the conversation and want to hold governments, corporates, and individuals accountable for lack of action. This goes beyond COP26 and requires climate consciousness to be embedded in society at a grassroots level”

Emma Bryden, Scotland's Young People's Forest Panel Member

Get in touch

If you have any questions about our climate and nature emergency projects or want to find out more, get in touch with Liz who oversees our Learning for Sustainability work.

Email Liz