The words “A child can ask questions that a wise man cannot answer” remind us that age does not limit one’s ability to make a difference. This is evident in the incredible impact of young climate activists such as Greta Thundberg, Harry Acheampong, Autumn Peltier, Holly Gillibrand, Lesein Mutunkei, Ella and Caitlin McEwan, who have proven to be forces to be reckoned with. With the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) just wrapping up, it marked a pivotal moment in global climate discourse. As the highest authority of the United Nations Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC), COP 28 continued its legacy of emphasising collective action in climate change adaptation. It is imperative to shift our approach from a reactive to a proactive stance in tackling climate change and recognise the pivotal contribution of the younger generation in driving this change.
COP 28: The Future of Our Planet Hangs in the Balance
COP28, held in the UAE from the 30th of November to the 13th of December, represented a significant step in international climate negotiations, mainly focusing on transitioning away from fossil fuels. The conference concluded with an agreement that signals what is described as the “beginning of the end” of the fossil fuel era, underlining a commitment to a swift, just, and equitable transition supported by deep emissions cuts and increased financial support.
The COP28 agreement included a global stocktake to assess progress towards the goals of the Paris Agreement. The stocktake is considered the central outcome of COP28 and will be used to develop more substantial climate action plans by 2025. The goal is to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030 compared to 2019 and keep the global temperature rise within 1.5°C. Actions are also called for to triple renewable energy capacity, increase energy efficiency improvements, decrease unabated coal power, and reduce inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. Developed countries are expected to take the lead in transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems in a just, orderly, and equitable manner.
Empowering our Future: The Importance of Education and Youth Involvement
At COP28, young people and children played a pivotal role, voicing their concerns and demanding urgent action on climate change. Their speeches highlighted the dire need for governments to prioritise the needs of the nearly 2 billion children worldwide and to address the immediate threats posed by climate change, especially to children. According to a UNICEF report, over 20,000 children have been displaced due to the adverse effects of climate change, almost 44 million children in the past six years.
A pivotal moment at the conference was the youth dialogue event, where young activists from YOUNGO, a global network of children and youth activists, presented a policy document called the Global Youth Statement. This document, prepared with over 750,000 inputs from more than 150 countries, was intended to demonstrate the concerns and priorities of young people worldwide. Amelia Turk of YOUNGO emphasised the importance of this document in showcasing the youth’s stance on climate issues and their call for immediate action.
COP 28 also saw Education Cannot Wait, the billion-dollar fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises, made a significant push to centre education on the climate action agenda. This move is crucial in ensuring that climate action is given the attention it deserves and that education plays a leading role in addressing the climate crisis. According to Yasmine Sherif, the Executive Director of Education Cannot Wait, “Don’t tell me that there are no resources. If we took 5 per cent of military expenditures and move them towards education and to address climate crisis… We would have $100 billion a year to address climate change.”
The conference also heard from children from African and Latin American countries, who warned about the immediate dangers posed to their futures by climate change. African, Asian and Latin American nations are among the most vulnerable to climate disasters. Revan Ahmed, a 13-year-old from Libya, spoke about the devastating effects of climate change on children, citing the floods in the Libyan city of Derna as an example. Lova Renee, also 13 years old, from Madagascar, shared how climate change has led to severe droughts in her country, affecting children’s access to water and food.
UK’s own Harry Acheampong, the Children’s Parliament Prime Minister, at just 11 years old, criticised the fashion industry’s contribution to the global climate crisis at COP28. He emphasised the need for sustainability in the fashion industry. He was involved in the first-ever World Children’s Parliament on the eve of COP 28, which aimed to empower young voices on critical environmental issues.
These young voices at COP28 were a powerful reminder of the urgency of the climate crisis and the need for immediate and effective action to safeguard the younger generation’s future. Their speeches reflected a deep understanding of the challenges posed by climate change and a solid commitment to advocating for meaningful solutions.
Saving the World: Hope for the Future Generation from COP 28?
The conference also saw significant progress in terms of climate finance. The Green Climate Fund received new funding pledges, increasing its total pledges to a record amount. Additionally, new commitments were made to the Least Developed Countries Fund and Special Climate Change Fund, and nearly USD 188 million was pledged to the Adaptation Fund at COP28. These financial commitments, however, still need to catch up to the trillions needed to support developing countries with clean energy transitions, implementing their national climate plans, and adaptation efforts. The global stocktake underscored the importance of reforming the multilateral financial architecture and accelerating the establishment of new and innovative sources of finance.
The loss and damage fund operationalisation was another historic agreement reached at COP28. This fund is designed to support climate-vulnerable developing countries, and commitments to the fund began shortly after the decision was made, totalling more than USD 700 million.
Despite these advancements, not all parties were satisfied with the outcomes. Civil society representatives, climate activists, and delegations from small island developing countries expressed disappointment, particularly with the lack of a more substantial commitment to phase out fossil fuels. They emphasised the need for more significant action and support, arguing that incremental advancements should be increased given the scale and urgency of the climate crisis.
Call to Action
Incorporating COP 28’s findings into educational programmes and policies is the need of the hour. It’s high time we shift from reactive to proactive climate policies and ensure the younger generation is actively involved in this transition. After all, they are the ones who will bear the brunt of our actions today.