Climate Change Office - Engagement Strategy for Children and Young People
Talking to children and young people about topics like climate change gives them a chance to have a say in the decision making processes that affect them, develop new skills, gain confidence, and build networks with decision makers.
The Climate Change Office has developed an Engagement Strategy for Children and Young People, which details how we engage with children and young people. We do this through
- the Commissioner for Children and Young People
- the Premier’s Youth Advisory Council
- the Youth Climate Leaders’ Program
- plain language documents.
Improving what we do
We want to keep improving how we engage and consult with children and young people.
Our new strategy details how we hope to improve over time, by
- using our networks to reach more children and young people
- reviewing what we do now and improving where we can
- exploring new ways to help children and young people have their say
- updating our social media strategy
- training our staff.
Documents
- Read the Engagement Strategy for Children and Young People (below)
- Download the Engagement Strategy for Children and Young People (PDF) (PDF 1.0 MB)
- Download the Fact sheet – Supporting Tasmania’s children and young people (PDF 881.1 KB)
- Read the Fact sheet – Supporting Tasmania’s children and young people
Climate Change Office - Engagement Strategy for Children and Young People
The Climate Change Office acknowledges the traditional owners of this Country and recognises Aboriginal people’s continuing connection to Land, Sea, Waterways, Sky and Culture. We pay our respects to Elders, past and present.
Climate Change Office Engagement Strategy for Children and Young People 2025
© Crown in Right of the State of Tasmania
Author: Climate Change Office | Renewables Climate and Future Industries Tasmania
Publisher: Department of State Growth
Date: January 2025
ISBN: 978-1-921527-96-8
Climate change is a serious and complex issue, presenting a range of challenges and opportunities for Tasmania. Children and young people will be affected by the impacts of a changing climate through their whole lives.
The Climate Change Office recognises the importance of ensuring information about climate change is accessible to all Tasmanians, including children and young people. We also recognise the value of giving children and young people the chance to have their voices heard because of the impact climate change will have on them, both now and in the future.
“Children have the right to give their opinions freely on issues that affect them. Adults should listen and take children seriously.” Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child – The Children’s Version |
Legislation
Under the Climate Change (State Action) Act 2008, the Tasmanian Government is required to consult with relevant business, industry, scientific, environmental and community bodies, children and young people, local government, relevant unions, the peak body representing trade unions, and the Tasmanian community.
The Climate Change Office meets this requirement by taking a consultative partnership approach with all stakeholders, including children and young people. We do this by:
- seeking the views of others to inform the scope and delivery of projects
- monitoring and reporting publicly on progress through the annual climate change activity statement and annual greenhouse gas emissions report
- sharing information and learnings with others.
We consult through meetings, targeted workshops, public forums, webinars, written submissions, and engagement with the Premier’s Youth Advisory Council, and the Climate Change Reference Group.
Engaging with children and young people on topics such as climate change provides them with agency over the decision making processes that affect them. We recognise the importance of collaborating to ensure we understand the risks and opportunities for diverse groups, and empowering Tasmania’s youth with the knowledge and opportunities to shape their future.
“Why do adults get to create the future we have to live in? We should have a say in our reality.” Consultative Council member for the Commissioner for Children and Young People. |
Tasmania’s Climate Change Action Plan 2023-2025
This strategy has been developed in response to the commitment in Tasmania’s Climate Change Action Plan 2023-25 (action plan) to
work with key partners to develop appropriate mechanisms and resources for consulting with children and young people, in accordance with the Act
In addition, through the action plan, the government has committed to empowering children and young people to shape their future by:
- making climate change resources for Tasmanian schools
- supporting the Youth Climate Leaders Program
- working to understand how we can reduce the impacts of climate change on the mental health and wellbeing of Tasmanians, focusing on children and young people.
We use a range of engagement activities to connect with children and young people. These activities are designed to help empower them to shape their future and act on climate change.
The Commissioner for Children and Young People
The Commissioner for Children and Young People is an independent and impartial statutory officer who advocates for all Tasmanian children and young people and upholds, protects, and promotes their rights. The Commissioner promotes good practice, policy, and legislation, by commenting on draft legislation and on proposed policies, including on national issues that are relevant to children and young people in Tasmania. The Commissioner also promotes and empowers children and young people to participate in decision making and to express opinions about matters that affect their lives.
The Climate Change Office meets and conducts workshops with the Commissioner when developing and implementing programs that impact children and young people, such as statewide climate change action plans.
“Tasmanian children and young people represent just over 20 per cent of our population but are closer to 100 per cent of our future.” Commissioner for Children and Young People |
Premier’s Youth Advisory Council (PYAC)
The Premier’s Youth Advisory Council (PYAC) is a group of 24 young Tasmanians aged 12-25 who meet with the Premier and the Minister for Education, Children and Youth several times a year. PYAC provides an opportunity for young people to inform the Tasmanian Government about issues and policies that affect them and their peers. It is also a chance for young people to work together with the government to deliver the best outcomes for young Tasmanians.
The Climate Change Office meets and conducts workshops with PYAC when developing and implementing programs that impact children and young people, such as statewide climate change action plans.
The Youth Climate Leaders Program
The Tasmanian Youth Climate Leaders Program offers students (aged 10-18 years) the opportunity to understand how their actions can contribute towards the global effort to address climate change and sustainability. Since 2017, twice-yearly conferences have been held annually as part of the program. The conferences allow students to get together and participate with other young people from their region, and voice their concerns about the current state of the climate.
The goal of this program is to work with children and young people and equip them with skills to lead on‑ground climate action into the future. The 2024 annual report on the Tasmanian Government’s Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy suggests that when young people are able to act on climate change, even in a small way, it can help reduce their feelings of climate anxiety (wellbeing.tas.gov.au/2024-annual-report-released).
The Tasmanian Youth Climate Leaders Program is a collaboration with the Education for Sustainability Tasmania network, by the University of Tasmania, and Sustainable Living Tasmania. The program is supported by the Tasmanian Government, through the Climate Change Office.
Plain language documents
We published a plain language version of our latest climate change action plan to ensure information about the government’s action on climate change is accessible to all Tasmanians, including children and young people. We also developed a fact sheet about the action plan for children and young people, to help make it easier to find out how the action plan will impact them.
The Climate Change Office has a range of values and principles that underpin how we work and interact with each other and the Tasmanian community. The values and principles below align with the principles in our climate change action plan, the objects of our legislation, the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework, and the broader workplace values of the Department of State Growth.
Values and Principles | Definition |
|---|---|
Respect | We will treat children and young people as whole people, and respect their individual characteristics, culture, identity, beliefs, and the choices of themselves, their families, and caregivers. We will be fair, trusting, and appreciative. |
Valued | We will encourage and empower children and young people to ask questions, voice their opinions and engage in decision making about the things that affect them and their future. We will listen to their views on the topics that are important to them, and make sure they feel like a valued participant in these discussions. |
Teamwork | As a diverse, caring, and productive team, we will work collaboratively with each other and outside stakeholders in developing and progressing our work programs. Team members will support one another to engage with and empower children and young people, encouraging their participation. |
Excellence | We take pride in our work and encourage new ideas to deliver public value. We will model and champion the empowerment and participation of children and young people through all levels of our organisation, including executive and senior leadership. |
Integrity | We will be ethical and accountable in all we do. |
Inclusive | We will provide and equal opportunity for participation by all, including groups of children and young people or their advocates. |
Acceptance | We will acknowledge the strengths and abilities of children and young people, supporting them to participate to the best possible extent regardless of their abilities, sex, gender, social, economic, or cultural background. |
Honesty | We will be honest, open, and transparent in our dealings with, and the information we provide to the public and one another. |
Informative | Using our broad range of evidence, and the latest science, we will make sure correct and accessible information is available to help children and young people make sound, educated choices. We will encourage the active distribution and promotion of accessible, age-appropriate information and resources. |
Safe | We will support and participate in building and maintaining a child-safe culture. We will report improper conduct, and ensure systems, policies and procedures are in place to prevent, identify and respond to harm of children and young people. |
Empowerment | We will encourage and enable our team and those we consult with to be creative and feel supported, appreciated, and motivated. We will be positive and encourage, listen, and speak with honesty. |
The Climate Change Office engages with children and young people in compliance with a range of Tasmanian child safety regulations and frameworks. These outline the requirements that Climate Change Office staff must abide by when consulting and engaging with children and young people. Regulations and frameworks include:
- Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act (2023)
- Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework
- State Growth Child and Youth Safety policy
- Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy – It takes a Tasmanian Village.
Aligning with the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act (2023)
The Climate Change Office, as part of the Department of State Growth, complies with the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework and the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act (2023).
The Climate Change Office is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people and has zero tolerance for child harm of any kind. We are committed to protecting children and young people from harm and providing an environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe. We support the participation and empowerment of children and young people in our programs.
To meet these requirements, when engaging with children and young people, we will:
- have processes in place to ensure conversations with parents, children and young people are conducted in a safe and ethical way and that support (onsite or online) is provided to participants if required
- ensure all people within our responsibility who are working with children and young people have a current Tasmanian Working with Vulnerable People card and are aware of how to refer and use supports if required
- gain informed consent from the child or young person for face-to-face conversations. If the child is under 16 years, then we will seek parental consent
- use our organisation's or department's consent process and forms where available and when required.
The Climate Change Office is committed to continuously improving the way we engage and consult with children and young people.
We recognise that when young people are actively engaged in decision making processes, they develop new skills, gain confidence, and build networks with decision makers. As indicated by the Commissioner for Children and Young People
“By getting involved in big decisions in civic life, Tasmanian children and young people can help change the lives of other young Tasmanians – and the entire Tasmanian community – for the better; and they can feel empowered in doing so.” |
The Climate Change Office is working to improve how we engage and consult with children and young people in the future, including:
- using our networks reach more children and young people
- exploring new ways to help children and young people have their say
- updating our social media strategy
- upskilling our staff.
We will implement these initiatives over time. We will also review our existing engagement processes and improve these where possible.
This approach will help us to meet and exceed the requirements of our legislation. It will also ensure we are well informed about the needs and views of children and young people and are well placed to respond.
1. Using our networks to reach more children and young people
The Climate Change Office will strengthen and build on our current networks to consult with a broader range of children and young people and help them actively respond to climate change. For example, we will explore ways to reach more children and young people through our connections with the University of Tasmania (UTAS), including the Curious Climate team and their schools’ program. We will also make use of state or community events such as Agfest to reach a broad range of people and to network, provide information on climate change and listen to the views of children and young people.
2. Exploring new ways to help children and young people have their say
We will investigate incorporating alternative methods to be more inclusive and increase the diversity of submissions through our consultation process.
For example, we may use plain language and easy-to-use survey-style questionnaires. We will also investigate the possibility of incorporating alternative submission methods, such as drawings or postcards from young children, as a part of our consultation process.
3. Updating our social media strategy
The Climate Change Office uses a range of digital communication channels to engage with stakeholders and the wider community, such as the ReCFIT website, an email newsletter, and a Facebook page.
We recognise that social media is a valuable tool to educate and engage with a large audience, and that many young Australians use social media extensively in their daily lives.
Our use of social media is supported by our social media strategy and management plan and by providing guidance to staff on how to plan, use, manage and monitor relevant social media platforms to make sure they are effective and applicable.
The Climate Change Office will consider expanding our use of social media, for example by establishing an Instagram account. We will also update our social media strategy and management plan.
Broadening our use of social media is an opportunity for us to increase our engagement with children and young people. It may also improve public awareness and the accessibility of information about climate change more broadly.
4. Upskilling our staff
The Climate Change Office aspires to communicate effectively, in a clear and concise language, with a diverse range of audiences. To support this, all existing and new members of the Climate Change Office will participate in plain language skills training to help strengthen their communication skills. This training will support us to continue to publish plain language versions of documents.
We will arrange training in how to consult, engage and be responsive in addressing the needs of children and young people for relevant members of the Climate Change Office. This training will support us to be well-equipped to conduct consultation and engagement sessions or activities with children and young people. This training may be especially beneficial for staff who attend the youth climate leaders conferences and other forums for young people.
Members of the Climate Change Office will also undertake social media management training to support our increased use of social media. This training will enable employees to understand how to best interact with the community through social media, especially children and young people, and what content is appropriate for posting and public release.
Tasmania’s Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy Consultation Report provides a toolkit for conversations with children and young people. The toolkit has been designed for organisations, service providers and practitioners who regularly work with parents, children, and young people. The toolkit includes resources and tools to assist practitioners to effectively engage with parents, children, and young people. Visit the Wellbeing in Tasmania website to learn more about the toolkit: wellbeing.tas.gov.au/toolkit