In observance of World Environment Day, youth leaders from the Global South formally launched the Global South Movement for Climate Justice (GSMCJ) on June 6, 2025, in Indore, India.
The movement, spearheaded by climate activist Abhishek Panwar along with co-founders Sanyam Arora and Sumit Kumar Jha, aims to elevate the voices of developing nations in the global climate dialogue. GSMCJ is calling for urgent climate justice and stronger youth representation in international policymaking processes ahead of COP30, according to a press statement issued by the organization.
The initiative underscores the unequal burden of climate change faced by youth in the Global South, who despite being among the most affected, remain largely marginalized in key global negotiations.
President Panwar called the movement a collective effort “to ensure those most affected are finally heard.” Co-founder Jha stressed the need for inclusive policy platforms, while Global Coordinator Arora outlined the initiative’s core pillars: policy dialogue, youth leadership, and a unified “Global Call to Action.”
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GSMCJ further stated that the movement will operate through grassroots capacity building, public engagement, and advocacy, aiming to create youth core teams at local, national, and international levels. GSMCJ’s strategy connects community action with international platforms to make climate policy more representative and just.
The official launch was moderated by The New Bharat founder Ravi Shukla, featuring the unveiling of the GSMCJ logo and the announcement of its first global campaign. The initiative firmly links climate justice with social justice and calls on developed nations to acknowledge their historical responsibility while empowering young voices from the Global South to shape a fairer climate future.
