The Presidency Youth Climate Champion role for COP31 is now open for Expressions of Interest (EOIs). The Australian Government is inviting eligible young leaders to help shape global climate decisions at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) COP31.
Climate decisions made at COP31 will influence the lives, futures, and opportunities of today’s children and young people for decades. The Presidency Youth Climate Champion ensures that young voices are not merely observing those decisions but actively shaping them.
About the Presidency Youth Climate Champion Role
Australia will serve as COP31 President of Negotiations, presiding over negotiations in accordance with UNFCCC procedures. The Presidency Youth Climate Champion is a high-profile leadership position established under UNFCCC Decision 16/CP.28.
This role exists to:
- Strengthen meaningful youth participation in climate governance
- Amplify diverse youth perspectives
- Promote inclusive and safe engagement
- Support implementation of UNFCCC youth-related decisions
The Presidency Youth Climate Champion works closely with:
- COP31 Presidency
- UNFCCC Secretariat
- YOUNGO
- National delegations
- Civil society organizations
- Global youth networks
Role Snapshot
- Appointment Type: Non-statutory appointment (up to 20 months)
- Time Commitment: Full-time across Presidency period
- Location: Flexible within Australia
- Remuneration: Negotiated package (subject to approvals)
- Travel: Domestic and international travel required
Key Responsibilities
The Presidency Youth Climate Champion will:
- Drive Meaningful Participation
- Secure tangible policy and engagement outcomes
- Support youth inclusion at COY, COP, Pre-COP and regional processes
- Promote youth representation in national delegations
- Amplify Youth Perspectives
- Elevate diverse youth priorities
- Facilitate dialogue between decision-makers and youth
- Collaborate constructively with YOUNGO
- Enable Safe Participation
- Advocate for safeguarding and accessibility arrangements
- Support youth-focused climate initiatives
- Strengthen participation mechanisms
- Build Capacity & Learning
- Promote climate education and negotiation training
- Support youth capacity-building domestically and internationally
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the Presidency Youth Climate Champion role, you must:
- Be aged 18–35 (through December 2027)
- Be an Australian citizen
- Demonstrate high-level written and spoken English proficiency
- Have experience in youth engagement and climate-related work
- Be available full-time across the COP31 Presidency period
Why This Opportunity Matters
The Presidency Youth Climate Champion position is not symbolic. It is designed to create genuine access and influence within global climate negotiations.
This role provides:
- Direct engagement with global climate governance
- Leadership visibility at international forums
- Opportunity to shape youth-informed policy outcomes
- National and international climate diplomacy exposure
With COP31 to be hosted by Türkiye, this is a historic opportunity for Australian youth leadership on the global stage.
Application Deadline
Applications Close: 11:30 PM (AEDT), Sunday 1 March 2026
Interested candidates should begin their application via the official careers portal.
