COP31 climate delegates push Ireland’s youth priorities

Ireland's next generation joins climate talks

Fatima Elzahra Ismail and Adam Ó Ceallaigh have been given a leading role among the European Union's youth climate representatives. 

They are also members of Ireland's official delegation, giving them a place in discussions taking place during the UN climate talks.

Before travelling to Turkey, the pair consulted young people across Ireland to find out what they wanted raised at the summit. 

Their conversations covered the cost of electricity, the need for a greener Ireland and the wider impact of the transition to renewable energy.

Fatima said many of those involved wanted climate action to benefit people around the world, not just those living in wealthier countries.

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One issue raised was the origin of the critical minerals used in clean energy technology. 

Their extraction can have serious consequences for the communities involved, prompting concerns that the transition could come at someone else's expense.

"A point that came up in the consultations was that Ireland has a role to lead in the consideration of where the critical minerals needed come from because you can't have a just transition built on exploitation," Fatima said.

Ireland also has a central position at this year's negotiations because it currently holds the EU Presidency and is representing the bloc in the talks.

As leaders of the EU's youth climate delegates, Fatima and Adam are working alongside that official negotiating team to bring the views of younger generations into the discussions in Antalya.