In the vibrant landscape of COP28 in Dubai, where national flags align, representing countries across the globe, the urgency of climate action is palpable. Chevaughn Brown, Membership Lead at the Commonwealth Youth Climate Change Network, shares insights into the collaborative efforts of youth networks, bringing innovation and advocacy to the forefront of discussions on climate change.
As delegates entered the state-of-the-art Expo City, the shared acknowledgment among nations was evident – the commitment made in Paris in 2015 to limit global temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels must not be forsaken. The impacts of climate change, from natural disasters to rising sea levels, have become stark realities for both developing and developed nations.
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell set the tone for COP28 with a stark warning about the need to signal the decline of the fossil fuel era. Brown reflects on whether COP had become a mere annual formality, prompting the Commonwealth’s young leaders to approach the event with a clear mission – to be more than mere advocates and offer tangible solutions and innovations.
Recognizing the importance of a multi-sectoral approach, Commonwealth Youth Networks collaboratively engaged with other networks. The Commonwealth Youth Climate Network, YOUNGO Health WG, Generation Climate Europe, and the Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network created spaces for dialogue and shared innovations.
Their Envisioning a Fossil-Free Future workshop transformed the pavilion into an immersive experience, emphasizing the possibility of creating healthy, peaceful, and economically resilient communities through sustainable practices. The focus extended to showcasing technology as a friend to the planet in the Green Skills for Innovative Youth Climate Action session. Here, the latest technologies were explored for their potential in achieving climate action goals, coupled with discussions on training, engagement, collaboration, and the entrepreneurial spirit needed for young people to leverage these innovations.
Direct engagement with policymakers and world leaders was a highlight, as youth representatives voiced their concerns and ideas. The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, emphasized the importance of involving and listening to young people in shaping climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. The launch of the COP28 report, detailing the climate concerns of young people in the Commonwealth and proposing specific actions for government engagement, received endorsement and support from the Secretary-General.
As these youth leaders prepared to return to their countries and communities, they carried with them not only new strategies and tools but also an unwavering commitment to continued collaboration for advancing green, innovative climate action. The collective efforts of these youth networks underscored their pivotal role in steering the course toward a sustainable and resilient future.
