By

Lailamah Giselle Khan

Guest Contribution

Amidst a critical turning point in the fight against climate change, the conclusion of COP28 brought an abundance of strides and ideas and highlighted the resounding influence of the world’s youth. As we analyze the details of this critical event, it becomes clear that the younger generation; my generation, not only attended but served as a driving force in shaping the discussions towards a greener future.

To fully comprehend the significance of COP28, it’s important to first view it through the lens of the youth. With a lot of our expectations and hopes resting on this conference, it displays the gravity of the situation as my generation inherits a world in urgent need of change. We had hoped to see nations adopt more ambitious goals for reducing emissions to keep global warming well below 1.5 degrees Celsius. To encourage the sustainable use of resources, we also wanted to see debates on increased investments in green technologies and more circular economy practices. My generation’s demands for universal transformation, transparency, and accountability resounded as a generation dedicated to securing their future, as our voices came together in the days preceding COP28.

Young innovators at COP28 stole the show with an impressive showcase of ground-breaking concepts. Leading youth organization, the “GreenTech Expo” showcased remarkable inventions such as water filtration systems powered by solar energy, models for eco-friendly city planning, and blockchain-based carbon offset platforms. Through direct communication between policymakers and aspiring young leaders, this interactive platform created a collaborative climate that defied convention in conference settings.

During a crucial plenary meeting, a youth-led coalition proposed a resolution calling for a 30 per cent increase in national targets for renewable energy during the next ten years. This plan, which was supported by copious amounts of data and in-depth research, generated a lot of heated debate, but finally gained support, demonstrating the ability of young people to influence policy decisions.

Amidst a roundtable conversation about cutting emissions, tensions between nations posed a major obstacle towards making meaningful progress. Despite the youth representatives’ persuasive use of scientific data and heartfelt appeals, some delegates were still reluctant to commit to even more ambitious targets. This back-and-forth underscored how difficult it will be to reach a consensus at COP28 and how crucial it will continue to be to bridge the gap between divergent national interests.

Despite the complex diplomatic environment, the younger generation did not waver and spearheaded discussions regarding accountability and transparency. One significant outcome was the creation of the Climate Action Oversight Body (CAOB), a distinct organization tasked with monitoring and publicizing nations’ progress towards achieving their climate goals. This development was a significant step forward in converting ambitious commitments made at COP28 into concrete global efforts.

When young activists from all across the world came together for the Youth Climate Strike at COP28, it was clear how powerful collective action can be. To amplify their unrelenting demands for climate justice, virtual demonstrations were organized through the use of social media. A global movement of young, impassioned voices emerged under the hashtag #ClimateActionNow, demonstrating that youth can overcome geographical barriers and unite in support of the pressing need for climate action.

The youth-led projects at COP28 demonstrated to good effect how grassroots movements can shape public opinion and pressure policymakers to give climate action a top priority. As this event comes to an end, it is important to assess whether the outcomes met the expectations set by the youth. The inclusion of youth-led ideas in discussions, the acceptance of youth-led policy proposals, and the creation of the CAOB all represent important acknowledgements of the critical role that the young generation plays in influencing climate policy.

Diplomatic roadblocks and the complexities of international negotiations presented challenges that were hard to overcome despite best efforts. Although there was progress in emission reduction commitments, the ambitious goals supported by the younger generation were not met. Even while people were open to hearing different viewpoints, getting the whole community to agree on important issues proved to be a difficult undertaking.

With COP28 being behind us, my generation is eagerly looking to the future. With high hopes, we believe that the inspiration and energy generated by the conference will continue to propel significant and worthwhile advancements. Although the creation of the CAOB is seen as a positive step, we will be closely monitoring its ability to guarantee that countries are held accountable for their deeds.

There is a strong desire amongst the different generations for more meaningful collaborative work and interactive conversations. As we look to the future, we hope to see more ambitious goals, increased backing for environmentally friendly technologies, and a fundamental change in societal norms that places a higher priority on sustainability. To raise a generation that recognises and values sustainability, we hope that comprehensive climate education will eventually be incorporated into curricula in schools all across the world. In addition, we hope to see more money committed to and invested in cutting-edge green technology that will hasten the shift to a low-carbon, sustainable economy. These are but a handful of my generation’s numerous ambitious plans and optimistic dreams to heal our world.

In conclusion, the outcomes and activities of COP28 show how important it is for today’s youth to address climate change. Younger generations may lead the change movement, as demonstrated by their bold policy proposals and creative ideas. One thing is certain as the world ponders the results of COP28: Young people are not merely passive participants but rather active influencers who have profoundly changed the conversation and influenced the course of climate action.

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About the author: Completing her undergraduate degree in Environmental Science with Business Management at Queen Mary University of London. Passionate about writing, sustainability, women empowerment, and travelling, she completed internships at Women Emerging and SEED Ventures.