BC3 researchers analyse the links between the youth climate movement and the EU Green Deal
Author: Josune Urrutia
A new study by BC3 researchers Ester Galende, Julia Neidig, and Laila Vivas, conducted under the Sherpa project Y-IMPACT, analysed the impact of the youth climate movements (led by Fridays for Future) on EU institutions and climate policies between 2018 and 2023.
The study includes thirty semi-structured interviews with activists, EU officials, and Members of the European Parliament, along with an analysis of EU policy documents and social media content. Additionally, the researchers conducted participant observation at various EU-related events.
According to the study, the youth climate movements facilitated the publication of the European Green Deal and the European climate law. “Fridays for Future has been key in mobilizing public opinion and bringing green issues to the forefront of EU politics,” said Julia Neidig, BC3 researcher.
However, despite this success and the numerous institutionalized and informal engagements between EU institutions and activists, activists often felt that they were being used to improve the institutions’ public image. “Activists often questioned whether their participation was genuine or mere tokenism,” said Ester Galende, BC3 researcher.
In addition, the research reveals significant power imbalances and discursive cleavages between youth climate movements and EU institutions. While the former advocates for systemic changes and climate justice, EU policies often address the green transition with a techno-optimistic and economic approach, diluting the movement’s broader demands. “The EU’s approach tends to focus on technical solutions rather than addressing the root issues and questioning our economic system, which many activists find insufficient,” said Laila Vivas, BC3 researcher.
The study calls for further research to explore solutions for bridging the gap between grassroots movements and institutional policy-making, advocating for a more inclusive and transformative approach to climate governance.