Barbados launches national Green Rising programme to lead youth-driven climate action

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS, 20 June 2025 – The Honourable Mia Mottley, Barbados Prime Minister, was today named as the Global Chair of youth movement Green Rising to help young people around the world adapt to a climate changed world.

Launched by UNICEF, Generation Unlimited and key partners at COP28 in 2023, Green Rising seeks to mobilize 40 million young people globally to take concrete green actions by 2030.

“I did not hesitate in accepting the responsibility to be the Global Chair for Green Rising because more than anything else, I want to see the young people of this planet, of this country, of this region, rise to claim that which is theirs," said Prime Minister Mottley as she formally accepted the role during an event at Barbados’ National Botanical Gardens.

Green Rising affirms the role of young people as catalysts, problem solvers, and community leaders as they confront extreme weather events, deepening inequalities and disrupted livelihoods. Since its launch, the initiative has supported over 11 million young people to take actions across 30 countries, including 20 million trees planted; 15 billion litres of water conserved; 150 tons of waste recycled; 358 hectares of land rehabilitated; 284,000 kilowatt-hours of energy saved, and 1 million schoolchildren trained in disaster risk reduction.

“We are working to ensure that green and blue jobs are not a luxury for the few, but a right for the many. And in this work, we are guided by young people themselves—their demands, their creativity, their drive to build systems that are fairer, more sustainable, and more inclusive than what they’ve inherited," said UNICEF Director of Programmes George Laryea-Adjei.

The event also saw the launch of a national Green Rising chapter - spearheaded by UNICEF Eastern Caribbean, Generation Unlimited and the Prime Minister’s Office - to equip 5,000 young people in Barbados with training, mentorship, and support to lead climate action, build resilient communities, and create sustainable green and blue businesses and livelihoods.

"For us, inclusion means listening to and including those most at risk in the planning and decision-making process that shapes their future. The Green Rising initiative embodies this commitment. While the challenges of climate change are profound, so too is the potential for youth led innovation to address them," said Ms Abebech Assefa, representing as the Chargé d'affaires, High Commission of Canada in Barbados. Canada is one of the first partners supporting Green Rising as Lead Government Partner of Generation Unlimited.

As Global Chair, Prime Minister Mottley will leverage her platform to expand the reach and scale of Green Rising. Her leadership will drive new collaborations and resources to support young people, especially girls and young women, with access to green skills and resources for entrepreneurship and leadership. During the event, the Prime Minister pledged half of her 2025 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity prize funds to support Green Rising’s efforts in Barbados.

"Green Rising is designed to put us as youth right at the heart of the blue-green transformation. So, we can develop skills and opportunities to create a better planet - and a better life for ourselves,” said UNICEF Youth Advocate and champion for climate action Maria Marshall.