LocationsWhy climate policy cannot succeed without people?
July 23, 2026
Participants of the environmental event on planting rare ash trees held on the territory of Karadala Forestry in Almaty region, Kazakhstan
Today, discussions on climate action are increasingly framed in terms of emissions targets, investment and technological innovation. Yet one essential element often remains overlooked: people. This is precisely why the Paris Agreement places particular emphasis on education, public awareness and public participation. Article 12 of the Paris Agreement recognizes that effective climate action depends not only on policy and technology, but also on education, training, public access to information and meaningful public participation.
More about the Paris Agreement here.
In practice, these commitments are implemented through the international framework known as Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE). ACE brings together six mutually reinforcing elements from education and training to public engagement and international cooperation with the aim of creating a system in which society becomes an active participant in climate decision-making.
The six elements of Action for Climate Empowerment
In the face of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation, capacity development enables individuals and institutions to acquire the knowledge, skills and resources needed to take effective climate action.
How the ACE Framework works
In 2021, Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement adopted the Glasgow Work Programme on Action for Climate Empowerment for the period 2021–2031. This global initiative on climate education and public engagement sets out how countries can implement the six elements of ACE at the national level. The programme encourages countries to appoint national ACE focal points, strengthen inter-agency cooperation, integrate ACE into climate policy and regularly exchange experience through international platforms.
The UNFCCC secretariat and international organizations have also developed guidance and practical tools to help countries design more inclusive climate policies that take into account the needs of different generations and gender considerations. To support Parties, an ACE Focal Points Academy was established under the ACE Hub. It offers practical and interactive learning modules tailored to the needs of national ACE focal points and climate negotiators. The Academy also serves as a platform for sharing good practices and connecting experts working in relevant fields.
As of 31 July 2025, 144 Parties had appointed one or more national ACE focal points.
Kazakhstan has not yet designated a national ACE focal point, while most other countries in Central Asia have already established such arrangements. Appointing a focal point could create additional opportunities for Kazakhstan to expand its participation in international knowledge exchange, make greater use of training programmes and strengthen cooperation within the global ACE network.
How countries are implementing ACE
Many countries are already integrating ACE into national climate policy. A growing number refer to ACE in their nationally determined contributions as an important means of mobilizing and empowering society to achieve climate mitigation and adaptation goals.
Denmark, for example, aims to expand the pool of skilled professionals needed for the green transition by investing in equipment and incorporating relevant competencies into vocational education programmes. Norway has shared information on its efforts to involve children and young people in the development of climate policy. Tunisia has presented a national strategy for youth engagement in climate action based on all six elements of ACE.
How are young people being engaged?
The United Nations supports participating countries in planning, launching and implementing activities related to climate education, public awareness, training, public participation and access to information through the United Nations Alliance on Action for Climate Empowerment.
According to the UNFCCC secretariat, in 2024 UNDP’s Youth4Climate initiative selected and funded 50 youth-led climate solutions across 32 countries. These initiatives addressed climate literacy, sustainable energy, food and agriculture, natural assets, and sustainable consumption and production. A new call for solutions was launched in March 2025 and received 2,618 applications from around the world.
UNICEF has continued to promote climate decision-making and action that reflect the needs and interests of children and young people through education, advocacy and participation in policymaking. It also published a toolkit containing recommendations, examples and resources for policymakers developing nationally determined contributions that are responsive to children and young people.
Youth engagement and capacity development
The UNFCCC secretariat continues to organize public awareness campaigns and learning activities designed to empower children and young people to support and lead climate action. Each year, ahead of the UN Climate Change Conferences, Local Conferences of Youth, known as LCOYs, bring together young leaders, activists, researchers and other engaged participants to advance climate action and address key environmental and climate challenges in their regions.
The outcomes of these conferences are then conveyed to the Regional Conferences of Youth, or RCOYs. In turn, RCOYs develop regional messages for the international community and contribute to the Global Conference of Youth, or GCOY. The global conference produces a report reflecting youth participation in the Conference of the Parties process.
Young people in Kazakhstan are also increasingly involved in climate-related decision-making. In 2025, one of the main outcomes of the Local Conference of Youth was the preparation of a National Youth Statement developed with the participation of more than 200 young people from all regions of Kazakhstan.
The statement sets out young people’s views on a range of priority issues, including the thematic areas of international climate negotiations, the development of Kazakhstan’s NDC 3.0, the National Adaptation Plan and recommendations related to the country’s roadmap for long-term development and LED technologies.
Participants of the of the Local Conference of Youth, Astana, Kazakhstan, 2025
Putting people at the centre of climate policy
Climate policy is increasingly viewed through the lens of technology, finance and regulation. Yet international experience shows that lasting results cannot be achieved without public participation. This is why climate literacy, professional training, youth engagement and open dialogue are gradually becoming integral components of climate policy.
Kazakhstan is already advancing this work through educational initiatives, youth projects and cooperation with international partners. Further development of ACE mechanisms could help bring existing initiatives together within a more coherent system and expand the country’s participation in international cooperation on climate education and capacity development.
Climate policy cannot succeed without people. Building public knowledge, strengthening skills and creating opportunities for meaningful participation are essential to turning climate commitments into practical and lasting action.
Related
content
content
