This image shows an older man and woman in the desert in Pakistan. The woman is wearing a blue head scarf, the man is holding a cup in his hand, and they both are looking at the camera in a serious way.

Act on climate change

The climate crisis is the most pressing issue of our time and it affects us all, no matter our age. HelpAge recognises the impact that climate change has on older people and their communities, and the importance of addressing this issue in order to protect and improve their lives.

Working with network members and partners, HelpAge has been supporting older people affected by humanitarian emergencies, like natural disasters since the day the organisation was born. During times of crises and disasters, we make sure that the needs of older people are taken into account. Making sure older people get help when needed and can affect change is a big part of why we exist.

As the climate crisis intensifies, we pledge our commitment to continue to take action to confront this emergency.

Image credit: Cynthia Matonhodze / National Age Network of Zimbabwe / 1in6by2030

COP29: amplifying older people's role in climate action

From 11-24 November 2024, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change took place in Azerbaijan. The gathering provided a platform to recognise the essential role older people play in addressing climate challenges. During the event, we worked to ensure that the experiences and solutions offered by older people were acknowledged in global climate discussions and action plans.

Our materials for COP29

Climate Elders: Climate change through the eyes of older people. Explore the visuals and firsthand stories capturing how older people worldwide are impacted by climate change.

Growing solutions together: why older people matter in climate action. In this blog, Hari Krishna Nibanupudi, HelpAge’s Climate Change and Ageing Adviser, examines how older people’s experiences can drive sustainable solutions.

COP29 position paper – Accelerating inclusive climate action for a resilient future. HelpAge’s position paper for COP29 outlines a vision for a future where climate action includes and benefits all ages, recognising the experience and insight of older people in building resilience.

The #GreyAndGreen Manifesto

With this Manifesto, we are committing to putting older people at the forefront of climate solutions.

Few understand better the impact of the climate catastrophe than older people. Surviving cycles of droughts, floods, vicious summers and cruel winters, older people have honed their skills over decades. In villages and communities, they are relied on to read the weather and plant or prepare accordingly; to know where safe water and higher ground can be found. Yet older people are often absent from the climate debate: their skills and know-how are side-lined; their rich experience ignored.

Through our #GreyAndGreen manifesto, we pledge to change that. Along with members of the HelpAge global network, we can unite and galvanise the thousands of older people who are among the great fighters and solvers of this crisis. We can champion their unique abilities and vast experience and together, we can act as a catalyst for action for older people everywhere.

The #GreyAndGreen Manifesto is available in: English, Arabic, Russian and Spanish.

Additionally, you can access the #GreyAndGreen consultation report (a roadmap of climate actions to help achieve the #GreyAndGreen manifesto priorities) here.

Climate justice in an ageing world

Our new report, launched just ahead of COP28 talks, highlights the critical link between ageing populations and climate change.

Climate justice in an ageing world

Our climate commitment

Working with network members and partners, HelpAge has been supporting older people affected by humanitarian emergencies, like natural disasters since the day the organisation was born. Making sure older people get help when needed and can affect change is a big part of why we exist.

As the climate crisis intensifies, we pledge to continue to take action to confront this emergency, with these four commitments:

  1. We’re showing the world how older people are tackling the climate crisis. We’re challenging assumptions about older people and telling the real stories of community leaders, everyday individuals and older people’s associations who care about climate change and are taking action.
  2. When natural disasters hit, we make sure older people are included in the response. There is often a disproportionate impact of natural disasters and climatic stresses on older people – and yet their needs are often overlooked. We work with governments and organisations to make sure older people’s voices are heard, and support is there to help them rebuild their lives and move forward.
  3. We’re bringing younger and older together to prevent and adapt to disasters. By involving older people in climate initiatives, communities enrich their knowledge, become more resilient and reduce the impact of the climate crisis.
  4. We’re reducing our carbon footprint. Leading by example means taking new ambitious measures to reduce our impact on the environment. By limiting air travel and changing the way we work, we are committing to reducing our carbon emissions by at least 50% by 2030.

A rising force for change: older people and climate action

The climate crisis is the most pressing issue of our time and it affects us all, no matter our age. Every day, older people around the world are using their voices, knowledge and energy to make a difference.

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