Global Climate Strike: Young People Demand Justice from World Leaders

As the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) convenes in Belém, Brazil, a large-scale Global Climate Strike was held today in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka, calling for climate justice and urgent action from world leaders. More than five hundred young climate activists from thirteen youth organisations joined the demonstration in solidarity with ActionAid Bangladesh, demanding a greener, fairer, and more equitable world.

Young people from diverse communities gathered to amplify their call for justice-centred climate action. Carrying colourful banners and placards, they urged governments to end fossil fuel financing, divest from fossil fuels, invest in renewable energy, and ensure a just and sustainable future for all.

Reiterating the agenda for a just transition, the activists called on world leaders to make COP30 a decisive moment for climate justice, particularly for communities in the Global South. They said global climate negotiations must not fail again, urging leaders to move beyond empty commitments and take concrete, accountable, justice-oriented action.

The strike extended beyond Dhaka, with young activists joining from more than twenty-four districts, including Khulna, Netrokona, Bandarban, Dinajpur, Lalmonirhat, Panchagarh, Patuakhali, Bhola, Rajshahi, Manikganj, Jamalpur, Sherpur, Habiganj, Noakhali, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Barguna, Kurigram, Teknaf, Chattogram, and Cox's Bazar. Thousands of members of Global Platform Local Youth Hubs also took part, expressing solidarity with the global Fridays for Future movement.

Across the country, peaceful marches echoed demands for climate justice and a fair transition. Young people used a range of hashtags to amplify their movement, including: JustTransitionNow, FundOurFuture, ClimateFinance, StopFossilFuel, ClimateJusticeNow, PayUpForLossAndDamage, ClimateStrike, and EndFossilFuel.

Youth climate activist Sadia Akter said, "A just transition must create green jobs, ensure decent working conditions, facilitate technology transfer, and support youth-led solutions. A green economy must be youth-friendly, with accessible climate finance to help young people turn eco-friendly ideas into action. No one should be left behind in the shift towards a sustainable future."

Expressing solidarity with the movement, Md Nazmul Ahsan, lead of the Youth and Just Society Team at ActionAid Bangladesh, said, "Ahead of COP30, we stand with young people across the country who are raising their voices for climate justice. We fully support their demands for a just transition — one that upholds their rights to livelihood, decent employment opportunities, and protection from climate vulnerability. We also echo their call for unconditional financial support to strengthen and empower youth-led organisations at the grassroots."

Bangladesh, one of the world's most climate-vulnerable countries, remains at the forefront of the fight against climate injustice. Under its Fund Our Future campaign, and in solidarity with the Fridays for Future movement, ActionAid Bangladesh continues to mobilise thousands of young climate activists nationwide to push for an end to fossil fuel operations and increased investment in renewable and sustainable energy initiatives.

The enduring demands of young climate activists underscore a future shaped by justice — today and in the years ahead.