Youth+Non-Governmental+Organizations+(YOUNGO)

Youth Non-Governmental Organization (YOUNGO)
**Background **

This is the first time youth have formally been accredited into a COP meeting as a constituency. The first discussion of possibly creating a youth constituency was at COP10 in Buenos Aires and pursued at COP11 in Montreal. Over then next few years and COP meetings the constituency was pulled together, especially after the meeting in Poznan. Poznan really demonstrated the maturity and ability needed to organize as a group. Due to the anticipation of a large youth presence at COP15, a proposal was sent in to the UNFCC and a constituency was granted. A constituency legitimizes YOUNGO as a stakeholder in the UNFCCC process. The constituency now has a voice that should be considered on these issues. Other stakeholders, such as the Parties, the media, and the Secretariat will see them as a more of a legit group in the negotiations. The group is formally on a probationary period and will be formalized 2011 at the COP17 meetings.


 * Importance**

The constituency is for YOUTH. A constituency provides a direct channel of communication with the UNFCCC secretariat. It also provides and opportunity to be included in discussion with other civil society constituencies. It also allows time for plenary statements as well as assistance with representation at any restricted activity. It also permits representation at workshops, it allows meetings with the Executive Secretary and provides the opportunity to book rooms easier at COP for meetings, press conference etc. Basically, YOUNGO is trying to create a process that will enable youth to establish and work for unified demands at COP15.  **Beliefs and Targets**

The YOUNGO mitigation has many guiding principles they have outlined for youth so delegations have a basic common purpose. "Youth envision a world with a safe and stable climate. In this world, unmitigated pollution of the shared atmosphere is no longer acceptable". Youth also believe that the average world temperature must be kept as far away from two degrees as possible. At the least the concentrations of greenhouse gases to 350ppm CO2-e as quickly as possible, but eventually work toward returning to pre-industrial levels of greenhouse gases. To achieve this goal, YOUNGO believes that: YOUNGO also states that it is the responsibility of developed nations to developing and distributing clean, efficient and sustainable technology as well as development for developing countries. Developed countries should also help developing countries to avoid deforestation, and permanently protect and sustainable manage native forests. YOUNGO also strongly believes in its youth. There is the point made that, youth are the next generation, the one that will live through it and be affected by the inaction of today. The youth are called to action, it is crucial that youth are participating in COP15 and other universal meetings on climate change.
 * Global emissions must be reduced by at least 85% by 2050 (compared with 1990 levels), in line with IPCC recommendations for maintaining a safe climate.
 * Developed nations must actively lead, committing to emissions reductions of at least 40% by 2020, and 95% by 2050. Global emissions must peak and decline by 2012.
 * Developed nations must actively lead, committing to emissions reductions of at least 40% by 2020, and 95% by 2050. Global emissions must peak and decline by 2012.