Pillars of an action plan: South Africa’s youth step up to the climate challenge

The youth have been driving climate crisis activism globally and nationally, and if their voices weren’t loud enough to encourage leaders to take climate action before, they have once again gathered to vocalise their climate concerns – this time by drafting the first national climate action document by the youth. 

The policy, which goes by the name The South African Youth Climate Action Plan (SA YCAP), is a call to national stakeholders. It also appeals to the global community to honour their climate pledges on adaptation and mitigation.

Convened through the Youth Programmes at the South African Institute of International Affairs (Youth@SAIIA) in partnership with various organisations, schools, and university groups across South Africa, the document was drafted by young people between the ages of 13 and 30. 

Five core pillars inform the action plan, namely: intersectionality; advocacy and activism for climate action; good governance; systematic change; and environmental sustainability. The pillars each emphasised an inclusive and intersectional approach to climate action centred on human rights. 

Nadia Odendaal, SA YCAP provincial lead, said at the launch, “Climate justice is truly social justice … I’ve come to realise that whatever social justice issue you’re interested in, whatever you think the biggest problem facing the world is – it is tied to climate change. We can’t ignore that. That is why I’m so proud we’ve managed to produce an intersectional document that I really hope represents a diverse group of young people and our wishes … for the future.” 

The SA YCAP document acknowledging the social inequalities was important in ensuring that climate justice underpins climate solutions, the plan showed. This was based on the fact that different factors contribute to the way in which society experiences the climate crisis, such as race, gender, disability, geographic location, and so forth. 

“By highlighting these systemic issues, we ensure that no one is left behind and that the most vulnerable in our communities do not become shock absorbers for impacts of climate change,” the document read, adding that inclusion was key to developing a just transition and green recovery. 

Fossil fuels and the future 

The document’s fifth pillar, environmental sustainability, emphasises the importance of sustainability over profit. The pillar particularly addresses concerns of water scarcity, biodiversity and ecosystems, agriculture and the notorious fossil fuel industry and its pollution. 

“Emissions from fossil fuel combustion are not only a major driver of climate change but also pose health risks through the release of air pollutants. We stress the need for adequate measures to counter the synergy between air pollution and climate change, and its contribution to environmental injustice,” the SA YCAP said. 

The youth made a call to counteract adverse health impacts caused by air pollution from fossil fuel burning by; 

• Enhancing institutional collaboration between government and research institutes to narrow the science-policy gap in the management of air quality;


• Prioritising the assignment of air quality officers to manage air pollution related to mining and other polluting industries;


• Incentivising businesses to integrate renewable energy sources in place of fossil fuels through tax rebates;


• Measuring air pollution caused by businesses compared to what is necessary for the operation, and imposing fines were excessively high;


• Litigation and preparation for adverse health impacts caused by industries on communities near mines, power stations and other polluting industries.