Not all young people have equal access to climate education. The DEAR project SPARK! ClimAct set out to change that across Europe – bringing climate justice conversations to places often left off the map.

Across towns, villages, and islands of Portugal, SPARK organised exhibitions, film screenings, and workshops reaching more than 10 000 youths. For many, it was their first encounter with climate justice – a concept that brings a lens of social equity and responsibility to the climate debate.

Zooming out, a pan-European research explored how 6 000 young Europeans understand and respond to climate justice messaging. Crucially, young adults seemed open to climate justice arguments and analysis. But to fully engage with them, they desired a deeper understanding that change can happen, and that they can be a part of it.