Growing solutions together: why older people matter in climate action

Older people have been left out of climate policy 

The world has made significant strides in climate negotiations, biodiversity preservation, and disaster risk reduction since the first major international climate convention was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992.  

Yet, even after 28 COP meetings on climate and 16 on biological diversity, one glaring gap remains: the near-total absence of older people in these discussions.  

The world’s ageing population has doubled since 1990, and by 2050, 1 in 5 people (approximately 2.1 billion) will be over the age of 60. Older people are both vulnerable to climate risks and uniquely equipped with knowledge and skills that can contribute to climate resilience. Despite this, their contributions and needs are largely overlooked in climate policy, resulting in a lack of inclusion and missed opportunities for intergenerational collaboration. 

Raising the flag: HelpAge’s call for climate justice 

For 2024, I have been accredited with UNFCCC observer status on behalf of HelpAge, marking the first time that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has granted us the status of a non-governmental observer organisation. This status will allow me to participate in UNFCCC conferences and events, including COP, and engage with the global climate negotiation process.  

With observer status, I hope that we will be better positioned to influence climate policies to ensure they start to embrace older people’s expertise and address their vulnerabilities.  

This reinforces our previous efforts to advocate for climate justice. In 2023, HelpAge published its Climate Justice in an Ageing World report ahead of COP28, highlighting the critical link between ageing populations and climate change. It made a case for targeted climate adaptations that involve and benefit older populations.  

This built on the vision laid out in HelpAge’s 2022 “Grey and Green Manifesto“ advocating for the inclusion of older people and intergenerational collaboration as the key to achieving global climate resilience. 

Lastly, HelpAge published a report on designing Adaptive and Shock-Responsive Social Protection (ASRSP) for older people in May 2024, which highlights how factors like income, health, and disability shape older people’s resilience in times of crisis.  

This report is more than a theoretical analysis; it offers practical case studies and recommendations for ensuring that social protection systems consider the needs of older people.

A critical moment: COP29’s mission to keep 1.5°C in reach 

The stakes at COP29 are high. As global warming accelerates, it’s clear that countries must accelerate their actions to meet the 1.5°C target, failing which will have dire consequences for the planet and people. There is no room for complacency—countries must fully commit to intensifying their efforts to meet this target. COP29 in Baku offers a pivotal opportunity for nations to reaffirm their dedication to reaching this goal by rigorously reviewing progress and strengthening their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to keep the 1.5°C target within reach.  

The October 2024 UNEP Emissions Gap Report warns that if current policies persist, we could see a global temperature rise of 3.1°C over the course of this century, far beyond safe limits. Closing this gap will require not just increased emissions reductions but also a new climate finance goal that meets the unique needs of low-income countries. COP29 discussions must include accessible and equitable funding mechanisms that account for those who are most at-risk, including older people. 

Addressing loss, damage, and health: where older people fit in 

Older people often bear the brunt of climate impacts, from extreme weather events to disrupted healthcare systems.  

COP29 offers a critical opportunity to establish a well-funded loss and damage governance and operationalisation mechanism, one that prioritises social protection and public health. When health systems are climate-resilient, communities can recover faster from climate shocks, and older people, who are often among the most disproportionately affected, are better protected. 

A call for intergenerational action 

Building lasting resilience to climate change requires everyone to contribute, regardless of age or where they are in the world. Older people can be invaluable assets in designing solutions that work for all thanks to their knowledge, skills, and roles in communities, as they are showing in Thailand and Vietnam’s biochar movement. Young and old collaborating together across generations can only strengthen climate response around the world.  

The wisdom of older generations could be the secret ingredient for success in tackling the climate crisis one of the most important issues of our time. It is time that the Parties at COP29 recognise the vital role of older people and their potential to contribute to global climate action. 

If they succeed in doing this, they might help create a legacy of unity and shared purpose in the face of one of the biggest challenges of our time.