Chandigarh Youth – Global Climate Leaders in the making
Chandigarh,the city beautiful, has always been at the forefront of taking up new initiatives that shape up our future. With the global climate crisis on us, our tree canopies, cycle paths, pedestrian walkways and underpasses make other city planners, residents find inspiration on an everyday basis. The so-called wet bulb temperature effect is still said to be minimal in the northern cities of India. But where do these sustainability ideas pop up from ? Is there an institute, an organization that nurtures such futuristic ideas.
Well, it is the collective goodwill and endeavor coming from citizens, civil society members, the administration and larger stakeholders that bring about all the said positive change.
‘Youth 4 COP’, a youth centric program which has connections with the city and its residents marks a significant step in this very direction of finding measurable climate change solutions.. Spearheaded by The Climate Reality Project India & South Asia, this innovative initiative is backed by a wide network of partners, including the Indian Youth Climate Network (IYCN), Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA), the Indigenous People’s Climate Justice Forum, APSWDP, C4Y, Gurujal, Orlina Ventures, and ExploreiT. These collaborations reflect the program’s inclusive vision, uniting organizations from diverse sectors to ensure that youth from all walks of life can participate meaningfully in the global climate discourse. APSWDP and Orlina Ventures are the two city based organizations that came forward and enrolled a good number of youth from the city and adjoining areas that are helping create these future leaders. Let’s learn how ?
Youth 4 COP empowers young individuals with the tools, knowledge, and mentorship necessary to navigate the complexities of climate negotiations, especially in the context of UNFCCC’s Conference of Parties (COP). Through interactive workshops, mentorship sessions, and skill-building activities, the program fosters personal growth and collective responsibility, equipping participants to engage actively at local, national, and global levels. It nurtures future leaders who will not only advocate for sustainable practices within their communities but also contribute to international climate policymaking.
The involvement of climate reality leaders from Punjab, namely Dr. Pooja Chopra, founder Orlina Ventures and Dr. Vivek Trivedi, Director Association of Professional (full name) popularly known as APSWDP in the city circles has been instrumental in mobilizing youth across Chandigarh’s educational institutions. Their efforts highlight the importance of amplifying the voices of the Global South, ensuring that climate solutions reflect diverse perspectives and ground realities.
Youth 4 COP is more than just a training program—it is a movement aimed at cultivating leadership, resilience, and collaboration among young people. By fostering interdisciplinary knowledge and building a community of informed and passionate youth, the program prepares participants to advocate for equitable climate policies at the COP platform and beyond. We are hopeful that learnings from programs like Youth4COP would be reflected soon, when these youth would work on the ground with stakeholders, to work for a more livable and thriving Chandigarh.
With Chandigarh’s youth now raising their voices on global platforms, the region is demonstrating that local actions can inspire global impact—a critical step toward ensuring that the aspirations and needs of the next generation are heard loud and clear in the fight against climate change. One may know more about Youth for COP on www.youth4cop.org, APSWDP on https://apswdp.org/, and Orlina Ventures https://orlinaventures.com/ on websites.
