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The Palo Alto Youth Climate Advisory Board (YCAB) is an advisory body of high school students dedicated to sustainability and climate stewardship. Members contribute to and provide feedback on Palo Alto’s climate initiatives and policies and bring Citywide sustainability efforts to local high schools.
Members are expected to dive into complex issues and invest time and energy into making the City and Palo Alto schools more sustainable. Members attend required monthly board meetings as well as additional subcommittee meetings. Subcommittee meeting frequency is determined by subcommittee members at the beginning of the term. Attendance at all monthly YCAB meetings is required unless an emergency or unavoidable conflict arises.
Board members are required to commit to a full, year-long term, from September the year they are appointed to August the following year.
Board members must attend high school in Palo Alto. Unfortunately, Palo Alto residents who attend schools outside of Palo Alto are not eligible for the Board.
The YCAB is led by a Chair and two Vice Chairs, elected by the student board members. The Chair facilitates board meetings with the Vice Chairs recording attendance and minutes. The Chair and Vice Chairs serve as youth liaisons and will be invited to attend City staff’s Sustainability Leadership Team meetings.
2024-2025 YCAB Annual Report
The YCAB was developed in partnership with the Palo Alto Student Climate Coalition. The inaugural YCAB meeting convened in September 2024.
The 11 high schoolers who served on the first Youth Climate Advisory Board from September 2024 to August 2025 laid the foundation for the Board's continuing success.
Email
sustainability@paloalto.gov
Read the 2025-2026 YCAB Annual Report