Bangladesh has called for a global shift toward youth-led, justice-driven climate solutions rooted in social business rather than profit-based systems. Speaking at COP30, officials and young activists said empowering youth with resources, skills and political access is essential for a fair, sustainable transition.
Bangladesh has urged countries to back a new wave of youth-led, justice-driven climate solutions centred on social business rather than profit-oriented economic models. The call came during a COP30 side event on Saturday titled “The Role of Youth, Their Government and Social Business in Climate Solutions” at the Bangladesh Pavilion.
Addressing the session, government adviser Farida Akhter warned that the climate crisis is rooted in an economic system built on unchecked consumption. “We have built an economy that harms the environment, nature, ecosystems and threatens our own survival,” she said.
The discussion was organised by Bangladesh’s environment ministry and Yunus Social Business Brazil, supported by youth climate networks from Bangladesh and Latin America.
Farida said youth must be at the heart of transforming the global response. “Youth will lead us to a safer planet. Our responsibility is to trust them, equip them and give them space to act,” she said. She linked Bangladesh’s recent youth-led movements for justice and equality to the potential for global climate leadership: “Young people have already shown what is possible when they unite. That courage can help protect the planet.”
She cited the “Three Zeros” vision of Nobel Peace Laureate and Chief Adviser of the Interim Government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, Zero Poverty, Zero Unemployment and Zero Carbon Emissions, adding that today the world must also aim for Zero Waste and Zero Wealth Concentration.
Farida argued that social business offers a powerful tool for climate action. “A social business exists only to solve a problem. It does not distribute profit. Every dollar earned returns to the mission,” she said.
Speakers from across the Amazon and South Asia joined the call for youth-driven climate entrepreneurship. Mariana Malufe, Country Director of Yunus Social Business Brazil, discussed nurturing eco-entrepreneurs in Latin America, while Dione Manetti of Climate Ventures Brazil highlighted climate startup systems rooted in Amazon communities.
Saville Alves of Instituto Clima de Eleição outlined how young activists in Brazil are linking climate education with political engagement to defend forest peoples. Md Wadud Chowdhury, Director General (Administration) at Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor’s Office, spoke about incorporating social business into national adaptation policies. Brazilian youth activist and entrepreneur Francisco Vicente shared examples of circular-economy innovations led by young people in forest regions.
Farida said the future of climate justice requires a cultural and economic shift that young people are best positioned to drive. “Our youth must create a new economic logic, one based on zero waste, zero carbon and no personal profit beyond essential needs,” she said. She called for education systems to prepare young people not simply to seek jobs but to create them. “Youth must be trained to build the future, not inherit a broken one.”
As COP30 enters a decisive stage, Bangladesh used the platform to emphasize that climate justice must be rooted in local leadership, community knowledge and self-sustaining innovation.
YouthNet Global’s executive coordinator Sohanur Rahman warned that symbolic participation is not enough. “Young people are not here to be symbolic listeners,” he said. “We are building climate solutions in villages, coasts and cities but without financing and political access, our ideas cannot scale. If COP30 is serious about justice, it must invest in youth-led climate action and social business.”
