WYCJ participates in ADB’s Better Air Quality Conference 2023

WYCJ’s Asian front convener, Nicole Ponce, had the privilege of participating in the closing plenary discussion at this year's Better Air Quality conference, held from November 15th to 17th, 2023, at the Asian Development Bank in Manila. Nicole was asked to address two main questions: first, what is the most important action the youth should take to scale up solutions to significantly reduce air pollution in Asia, and what support do we need to do our work better? Second, what would you consider as the most important element of successful stakeholder collaboration that we need to address air pollution and climate change?

The conference, organized by Clean Air Asia, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, brought together stakeholders from around the world to address the critical issue of air pollution in Asia. As a representative of World’s Youth for Climate Justice, Nicole presented on the pivotal role young people can play in scaling up solutions to significantly reduce air pollution in the region.

In a world where environmental devastation is both global and local, communities that have contributed the least often bear the brunt of its impact. Seeking justice from major polluters remains challenging, as international agreements lack legal clarity on emission reduction responsibilities. To address this, World’s Youth for Climate Justice is actively pursuing a landmark case on climate change before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), seeking to clarify states' obligations to protect the rights of current and future generations from the adverse effects of the climate crisis.

One of the most crucial actions young people can take to combat air pollution in Asia is to amplify their voices through meaningful participation in policy and legislative processes. This involves urging governments and international organizations to make submissions before the ICJ on the advisory opinion on climate change, strategizing with civil society organizations to incorporate empirical evidence, stories, and experiences in submissions, and lobbying government representatives for strong points on climate justice, intergenerational equity, and historic responsibility.

As we navigate the complexities of climate justice and air pollution, it is imperative that the youth not only participate but lead the charge. By clarifying responsibilities, amplifying voices, and fostering collaboration, we can work towards a future where clean air is a right, not a privilege.