Children Lead Climate Action Ahead of COP31, Present Demands to Governments

As COP31 approaches in Türkiye, children from the world’s most climate‑vulnerable nations are stepping onto the front lines. In Madagascar, 12‑ to 18‑year‑olds presented a set of climate‑resilient school, early‑warning and green‑energy recommendations directly to government ministers, insisting that their voices shape national policy. In Somalia, nearly 3,000 pupils participated in a new climate curriculum that boosted knowledge, hope and tree‑planting behaviour, proving that school‑based engagement can translate into real action. Mexican children built LEGO model cities that illustrate waste‑free, renewable‑energy futures, and now share those designs with parents and local officials. In Peru, 83 youth demanded heat‑resistant schools and early‑warning systems, while in Nepal a mock COP31 highlighted mental‑health impacts of floods. Australian and Pacific youth sent a letter to Canberra urging the country to protect children’s rights under the Paris Agreement. These grassroots initiatives are feeding into COP31 negotiations, ensuring that the next global climate summit reflects the lived realities of children.