"I was thrilled when the City of New Orleans was selected for this transformative initiative that has put our youth front and center in the fight against climate change,” said Mayor Cantrell. “Kickstarted at COP28 through Bloomberg’s Local Climate Action Summit, the Youth Climate Action Fund recognizes the power youth have to shape their future that is being threatened by a litany of environmental issues. I am so proud and impressed by how our bright, talented young people answered this call, and I can’t wait to see how these innovative and community-focused projects are executed. The work you begin today is helping ensure our city’s strength and resilience for generations to come.” 

In May, the City announced that it was selected for the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ new Youth Climate Action Fund, which will provide technical assistance and funding to activate tens of thousands of young people ages of 15 – 24 years to design, produce and govern urgent climate solutions in cities across the globe. With 84 percent of youth around the world reporting that they are worried climate change threatens people and the planet, this initiative grants young people the opportunity to get directly involved in tackling this global issue. New Orleans joined the Fund alongside 99 other cities from around the world, which together span 38 countries across six continents, representing over 62 million residents. 

“With the Youth Climate Action Fund, we’re giving our teens and young adults an opportunity to be an active part of the solution to mounting climate change issues,” said Howlette. “Aligned with the implementation of the Youth Master Plan, this amazing initiative is centering the youth’s voice on issues that concern their future. The City, and OYF specifically, believe in the importance of engaging our youth as they are integral members of our city whose voice matters.” 

"As we continue to face the challenges of climate change, it is crucial that we empower the next generation to take the lead in driving innovative solutions,” said Nichols. “The Youth Climate Action Fund is not just an investment in projects, but in the future leaders of our city. By supporting these young visionaries, we are providing them with the resources needed to turn advocacy into action, paving the way for a more sustainable and equitable future for all." 

The nine winning projects are as follows: 

1. Carnival Kids Making Mardi Gras More Sustainable – Sponsored by Grounds Krewe, this project aims to make Mardi Gras more sustainable by creating sustainable throws to be used by krewes and/or individuals. 
2. Roots of Resilience: Empowering Communities Through Sustainable Food Solutions – Sponsored by Reciprocity Works, this educational campaign on reducing waste and increasing sustainable practices will utilize an Instagram series and one-day community engagement event. Youth will distribute compost bins to their community and teach them how to engage in pollution reduction and recycling. 
3. Water Wonderful World – Sponsored by Trinity City Arts and Krewe of Red Beans, young artists will create a kindergarten-level coloring book that raises awareness about climate in New Orleans. 
4. Harmony Horizons Podcast: Navigating Education, Environment & Beyond – Sponsored by New Harmony High Institute, this youth-led podcast will discuss the intersection of education and environmental stewardship and encourage listeners to engage in climate action. 
5. The Block Is Hot – Sponsored by 3rdline NOLA, this project will promote awareness of heat islands and create solutions for energy needs in Little Woods Area through a series of workshops, flyers, a website and social media posts.  
6. Teen Thrift Fest – Sponsored by A Bella LaFemme Society, in partnership with the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, this series of teen thrifting events aims to collect and exchange at least $5,000 worth of clothing to reduce waste and promote clothing sustainability and access.  
7. Ogden Museum’s Youth Climate Action: Circular Economy Art Installation – Sponsored by Ogden Museum, this collaborative, interactive art installation with interns, a local artist and the community will be exhibited in Ogden’s Education Gallery to engage visitors to collectively create possible solutions to climate change. 
8. EcoAmbassadors: Empowering Immigrant Youth for Environmental Stewardship – Sponsored by Puentes New Orleans, this educational initiative seeks to equip immigrant youth with the knowledge and tools necessary to address the challenges of climate change through a structured series of workshops and hands-on activities. 
9. Empowering Youth for Environmental Justice – Sponsored by Illuminating the Youth, this project aims to empower youth in high-crime, low-income areas to become leaders in environmental justice and community development through education, community greening and engagement and career development. 

Over the last decade, local governments have played a critical role in climate mitigation and adaptation. The City of New Orleans released its first Climate Action Plan in 2017, joining cities around the world in a commitment to uphold the goals of the Paris Agreement and to reduce its contribution to climate change. An updated plan was released in 2022, setting ambitious goals to reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions 50 percent by 2035 and to achieve net-zero, or carbon neutrality, by 2050, with targeted actions to reduce the City’s carbon footprint in the areas of energy, transportation, waste, economic growth and adaptation.  More information on the City’s Climate Action Plan can be found at nola.gov/climate-action.   

In 2019, the Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, in partnership with the Children’s Youth and Planning Board and the New Orleans Youth Alliance, focused on strategic work that envisioned a city where youth leadership would be central to setting the stage for all children and youth to achieve their full potential. In order to accomplish this, the need for a master plan emerged. The Youth Master Plan is a comprehensive roadmap for creating and sustaining a positive youth development-focused, results-oriented New Orleans. The Youth Master Plan brings together young people, parents, educators, community leaders and other key stakeholders to develop, implement and monitor a ten-year, multisector plan for improving outcomes for our children and youth across Orleans Parish.