One area where intergenerational justice must be urgently addressed is climate policy. Climate change is the most pressing example of how short-term decisions can have devastating long-term consequences. Yet, young people—those who will live with these consequences the longest—are often excluded from shaping the policies that aim to solve them.
We need a clear shift in EU climate strategy: long-term impact must be prioritized over immediate political or economic convenience. Every major environmental decision should include youth consultation as a standard practice, not an exception. Youth climate councils at both national and EU levels should have real influence, with voting or advisory power in relevant committees.
Furthermore, intergenerational climate justice should be taught in schools—not just as a scientific issue, but as a civic responsibility. Older generations, on the other hand, should be engaged through awareness campaigns and intergenerational projects that bring together youth and seniors to work on sustainability initiatives in their communities.
If climate change is a crisis that spans generations, then the response must be intergenerational by design. Europe can lead the way by showing that environmental responsibility is a shared duty—and that every voice, regardless of age, counts in building a livable future.