In the lead-up to COP30: “Children are the most affected by the climate crisis, yet they receive the least funding.”
October 07, 2025
Area: Climate change and DRM
During the PreCOP30 in Lima, civil society organizations agreed that the climate crisis must be addressed with an intergenerational approach and highlighted the urgent need to finance child- and youth-centered responses.
Children and adolescents are among the groups most vulnerable to the climate crisis. Yet, they are also among the least supported in terms of financial resources, as less than 4% of climate financing is directed to children’s priorities and needs. This was highlighted by William Campbell, Country Director of Save the Children in Peru, during his presentation at PreCOP30 – Lima.
For Save the Children, the climate crisis is a child rights crisis. It threatens survival, education, physical and mental health, and life opportunities. Children born in 2020 are seven times more likely to be negatively affected by floods, droughts, heatwaves, and cold spells. The crisis is not future—it is now. – William Campbell, Country Director of Save the Children in Peru.
At this event, organized by the Embassy of Brazil in Lima and SOA Peru, Save the Children joined the panel “Civil Society Actions,” alongside organizations such as Local Conference of Youth (LCOY Peru), Seaumanoid, and Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA Peru).
All panelists agreed on the need to address the climate crisis with an intergenerational approach and emphasized the importance of securing financing for children and youth.
The discourse around youth support is powerful and appealing, but we cannot talk about proper representation without talking about financing. LCOY is developing regional climate declarations to decentralize the space and amplify the voices of young people from different regions. Now, in collaboration with Save the Children, we are incorporating this intergenerational perspective: not only young people, but also children and adolescents. – Alejandra Condori, National Focal Point, LCOY Peru 2025.
Talking about financing is essential. As young people, it’s not easy for us. Finding ways to ensure our participation is critical. To talk about youth, we must first recognize that we are key actors. We are not there for the ceremonial photo; we are professionals, young scientists, community leaders—youth who, through local projects, are driving climate action, despite the fact that only 1% of global climate financing goes to youth-led initiatives. – Stefanie Torres, President of SOA Peru.
The reality is that time is running out. Children are experiencing climate anxiety. We need actions and measures that truly align with what scientists are saying. We face many challenges, and as an educator, I want to urge us to be not only a voice but also action. – Mariana Orihuela, President of Seaumanoid.
Alejandra CondoriStefanie TorresMariana Orihuela
The panel also underscored the importance of involving diverse voices in climate negotiations. In this regard, Save the Children promotes children’s participation in decision-making spaces on climate action and discussions. As part of the global campaign Generation Hope, in Peru we provide accompaniment and capacity strengthening in advocacy and campaigning to groups of organized children in Apurímac (Andahuaylas) and Loreto.
This initiative includes training in public speaking, message development, and safe participation, with the aim of ensuring that children’s proposals influence national and global climate agendas on the road to COP30 in Brazil.
HIGH-LEVEL COMMITMENT
The PreCOP30 – Lima also brought together representatives and officials from the Peruvian government and multilateral organizations, who highlighted the importance of including civil society in climate negotiation processes.
Clemente Baena Soares, embajador de Brasil en PerúFélix Ricardo Denegri, viceministro de Relaciones Exteriores de PerúRossana Dudziak, representante del Sistema de las Naciones Unidas en el PerúJuan Carlos Castro, ministro del Ambiente de Perú
“Effective policies are born from open dialogue, genuine participation, and consideration of all voices before decisions are made.” – Clemente Baena Soares, Ambassador of Brazil to Peru.
“PreCOP30 is a strategic opportunity for two Amazonian nations to deepen their dialogue and cooperation, laying the foundation for a stronger alliance in the lead-up to COP30. As an Amazonian country, Peru is firmly committed to ambitious, just, and inclusive climate action.” – Juan Carlos Castro, Minister of Environment of Peru.
“Climate change is undoubtedly one of the greatest challenges of our time. Its impacts are intensifying daily, disrupting ecosystems and affecting communities. Addressing this threat demands a collective, united, and sustained response. I want to highlight the crucial role of civil society, youth, and climate activists. Their voice, energy, intergenerational commitment, and vigilance are essential to maintain the ambition and coherence of our public policies and international action.” – Félix Ricardo Denegri, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru.
“Developing countries, which contributed the least to the crisis, are the ones suffering the most. But they are not only victims of the climate crisis—they are also a source of solutions. If we act urgently and together, we can still change the course of events.” – Rossana Dudziak, UN Resident Coordinator in Peru.
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