Last week, I had the privilege of representing students and young people at COP29, the United Nations' annual climate conference, to share our concerns for climate action and sustainability. COP (the Conference of the Parties) is where nations convene to negotiate solutions to the critical challenges posed by climate change.
This year’s COP was particularly significant, being referred to as the “Finance COP.” A central focus was finalising new funding targets for developing nations to address climate impacts and transition to greener economies. More than 60,000 participants attended, including government officials, activists, non-profits, and youth leaders, all coming together to address the urgent climate crisis.
The Power of Young Leaders
During COP29, I had the opportunity to meet with so many inspiring young leaders, including youth delegates, activists, and advocates, who are passionate about shaping a sustainable future. I spoke to youth delegates from countries like Spain, Romania, Australia, Azerbaijan, and Singapore, and discussed their experiences around the negotiation tables.
I had the privilege of meeting Leyla Hasanova, the Youth Climate Champion for COP29 Presidency, alongside Dr. Felipe Paullier, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs. I also engaged with staff from the International Maritime Organization, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, and the UNFCC. Our discussions centred on the vital role of youth empowerment in driving meaningful climate action and shaping a sustainable future.
I had a busy schedule for COP29, running from one event to the next. I was particularly interested in attending events regarding the role of higher education in addressing climate change, the role of youth action in the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), and green finance.
Elevating the Student Voice at COP29
What is clear is that there are so many incredible young people working to make a difference. At the Children and Youth Pavilion in the Blue Zone, I saw firsthand how young people are driving the conversation. I spent a great deal of time talking with many young and determined leaders – I saw youth delegates from YOUNGO (the youth constituency of the UNFCC) voice their concerns over the lack of international action directly with the UN Secretary-General. They were driven to speak loudly about the truths other leaders ignore and avoid.
Collectively, it felt so powerful to have our voices represented, where sometimes, it feels like young people are just being forgotten, but from what I saw, young people are the forefront of climate action and demanding much-needed change. While I was a bit worried about tokenism, it was particularly interesting to see many adults who actually listened to youth delegates carefully.
Next Steps
As the President of the Students’ Union, I’ve been honored to lead our Sustainability Strategy.
Coming back from COP, I feel energised by what we can do together. I want to work with others in the Students’ Union to launch a new sustainability module, raise awareness of climate change, and join forces with like-minded people to develop leadership skills in sustainability. I believe there is cause to still have hope for our planet, but we must mobilise young people to lead the way for change.
Students at UCL can be a forefront of tackling climate change today and in the future. If you want to take part in this year’s Sustainability Leadership Conference to learn about how to develop strategic thinking skills, gain techniques on mobilising others, and be part of finding sustainable solutions to global issues – put your name down now. The choice is ours to make.