“It’s our future at stake: we need a say in how society responds to the threat of the climate emergency. ”
What we do
We give our generation a voice in the political decision-making process by directly engaging in policy and supporting young people to be active citizens.
1. We respond to consultations so young people’s views are taken into account by government. All our policy positions are directly based on surveys and focus groups we conduct with the 2050 Leaders Network, and young people more broadly.
2. We run workshops and events to facilitate understanding of policy issues and processes. Examples include a panel on the impact of Brexit on the environment, speed-networking events with political parties, and workshops on writing letters to elected representatives.
3. We support Young Leaders in taking action on the policy issues they want to address on all levels of governance. We support 2050 Climate Group’s educational activity while also helping build our presence in the Scottish policy space.
policy hub - jargon buster
The word politics can sometimes feel daunting, as if it’s a high-brow or controversial topic that is reserved for experts or maybe best avoided at the family dinner table. But having a “political” point of view could mean any number of things - from caring about the environment, or how our NHS operates, to litter in your local park, politics covers almost anything that impacts your day-to-day life and your future.
Politics literally translates to the activities of governments, other law-making organisations or of any person who tries to influence the way a country is governed. This means that if you have opinions, would like to learn more, or are interested in influencing how any part of Scotland operates as a country - congratulations! Politics is for you.
Consultations
As a charity that empowers young people to take action on climate change, we gathered insights from our network to reflect their views in our response. Here are some key points:
A 25p charge: The majority agreed that a 25p minimum charge is a fair starting point. It's enough to encourage change without being overly burdensome, but regular reviews are essential to track its impact.
Consistency is crucial: We called for a nationally set charge, applied to all single-use cups - even biodegradable ones - to ensure clear messaging and fairness.
Support for everyone: Proceeds from the charge should fund affordable or free reusable options, ensuring low-income and disabled communities aren't disadvantaged.
Helping businesses adapt: Clear guidance, financial support, and a lead-in period are key to helping businesses implement the charge successfully.
2050 Climate Group has shared its youth-led response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on a charge for single-use cups. With nearly 400 million cups thrown away annually, it’s time to act.
This consultation highlights the need for bold action and inclusive solutions to tackle waste. By publishing our response, we hope to amplify the voices of Scotland's young people and inspire further progress.
Workshops & Events
Climate Action Leadership Programme (CALP) 2024/2025 Workshops
Nothing happens in isolation and the same can be said for our subgroups. Our subgroups (Policy, Leaders Network and CALP) are always collaborating to have the biggest impact.
Module 4 - Dundee Science Centre
The first session of the afternoon was hosted by 2050 Climate Groups Policy team. The session explored how our opinions on climate related issues can be translated into communication with elected officials, with the aim of influencing policy decision making.
Through group discussions on key climate and biodiversity topics like transport, energy and nature, participants brainstormed solutions and possible actions. This included strategies for engaging decision-makers, such as consultations, petitions, and meetings with representatives. The session wrapped up with reflections and commitments to actionable steps for driving change.
Public Event: Transport Policy in Practice
Our Leaders Network and Policy subgroup joined up to host our event, Transport Policy in Practice. One of the outcomes of this event was that our participants made a personal pledge relating to transport and/or climate action. This event was generously funded by the Paths for All Smarter Choices Smarter Places fund, to which we are very thankful!
Previous Activities and Achievements
Representing young people
During the 2021 Scottish National Elections, we shared the election priorities of young people and empowered our audiences to make an informed vote by providing a detailed breakdown of the main manifesto promises on climate action.
In 2018, were invited to speak in Scottish Parliament, as part of the Stage 1 scrutiny process of the Climate Change Bill. Siri Pantzar, one of our volunteers, gave evidence to the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee. She called for a net-zero emissions target, and for young people to have a seat at the table in setting out future climate policy.
Increasing political awareness on climate change:
Budgeting for the Climate Crisis - a podcast mini-series we launched in 2021 equipped our audience of young people with accessible understanding of what the Scottish budget means for our climate ambitions, and how young people can influence future Scottish budgets.
Contributing ideas
We regularly respond to government consultations, write blog articles on current policy issues and participate in a number of initiatives seeking to bring a youth voice to wider efforts to create a just and sustainable society. Over the past year we contributed to the Climate Emergency Response Group, Edinburgh Climate Commission, Decoupling Advisory Group and the Scottish Forum on Natural Capital.
Get in touch with our Policy Team
We welcome opportunities to collaborate with individuals, groups and organisations looking to support youth engagement with decision making on climate change.
Get in touch or find out more about our volunteers.
