Introduction

The 2026 Sustainable Development Goals Youth Summer Camp co-hosted by United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD) and Global Green Growth Institute (GGG), titled “Youth Capacity Development for Climate Action: Understanding Carbon Markets and SDG 13,” is a three-day learning programme designed to strengthen young people’s understanding of climate change, carbon markets and international climate cooperation. Through expert presentations, interactive exercises, debates, group work, and practical project assessment, participants will explore how carbon markets can contribute to climate action while considering environmental integrity, transparency, fairness, and sustainable development. 

The camp aims to equip youth with the knowledge and critical-thinking skills needed to assess carbon-market initiatives, communicate complex climate issues clearly, and participate meaningfully in climate-action discussions and initiatives in their communities, institutions, and future careers.

Learning objectives

By the end of the camp, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the linkages between climate change, SDG 13, and international climate action.
2. Explain in simple terms what carbon markets and carbon credits are and why they mean for climate action.
3. Describe the main steps involved in creating a carbon credit, understand the life cycle of carbon credit.
4. Identify some of the main benefits, risks, and fairness issues related to carbon-market projects.
5. Apply this basic knowledge to elaborate on carbon project examples and communicate their views clearly through group work and presentations.

Participants

The camp will bring together 30 young participants born between 1998 and 2008, including youth currently based in the Republic of Korea and participants applying from overseas. It is intended for students, recent graduates, young professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs, and youth leaders with an interest in climate action, sustainable development, environmental policy, carbon markets, climate finance, international cooperation, or related fields.