Climate debate topics

Aims of the tool

- Encourage critical thinking about climate change and sustainability
- Support educators and youth workers in facilitating structured debates
- Promote informed youth participation and civic engagement
- Explore perspectives on responsibility, regulation, and activism
- Strengthen argumentation and communication skills in non-formal education contexts

Description of the tool

Description:
The Climate Debate platform provides a set of four debate-based case studies addressing major questions about climate change, such as responsibility for action, the role of corporations and individuals, and the legitimacy of climate activism. Each case study includes background information, structured discussion prompts, and suggested motions for debate. The tool is designed for youth workers, educators, and debate trainers who wish to explore sustainability topics through active, participatory learning. It can be used in workshops, classrooms, or informal education settings to encourage young people to analyse complex global issues and express their views through structured dialogue.

Learning outcomes - Participants using this tool will be able to:
- Understand key political, ethical, and social dimensions of climate change
- Identify and critically evaluate different perspectives on environmental responsibility
- Develop skills in argumentation, reasoning, and evidence-based discussion
- Strengthen their ability to communicate ideas clearly and respectfully
- Increase awareness of activism, policy, and global cooperation in addressing climate challenges
- Build confidence in participating in democratic dialogue and public debate

Use case;
You can use the Climate Debate platform in several ways to engage young people in meaningful, structured discussions about sustainability and climate change:

Preparation for sessions: Select one of the four case studies based on the group’s interests or current topics in the media. Review the background materials and debate motions provided on the platform.

Introducing the topic: Begin with a short interactive activity, video, or discussion to connect the issue to participants’ daily lives (for example, “Who is responsible for reducing emissions?”). Present the case study summary to provide context.

Group division: Divide participants into small teams or pairs to represent different perspectives (e.g., governments, companies, activists, citizens). Assign each group time to prepare their arguments using the prompts from the case study.

Facilitating debate: Organize a structured discussion or mini-debate. The youth worker moderates, ensuring respectful communication and balanced participation. The debate format can be adjusted to the group size and experience level.

Reflection and evaluation: After the debate, lead a reflection round. Encourage participants to discuss what arguments they found persuasive, what they learned, and how the issue connects to local or personal experiences.

Adaptation and follow-up: The materials can be combined with media literacy, project-based learning, or community action activities. Youth workers can use them to develop local debates, awareness campaigns, or workshops on environmental decision-making.