Humanity’s progress has always been linked to our ability to harness energy, propelling us through successive eras. From the ancient myth of Prometheus stealing fire to today’s ongoing energy transition, our collective journey has been characterised by creative problem-solving and the ability to adapt. The current energy transition, while not the first in human history, stands out as particularly significant. Unlike previous transitions, this one is urgent in nature, requiring rapid action. Importantly, it emphasises that this transition must be inclusive and beneficial to all, setting it apart from its historical counterparts.  Without forgetting that for some countries it’s an energy transition whilst for others, it is about developing energy access.

Outcomes of COP28:

COP is a unique event, bringing together stakeholders from across the globe to tackle the challenge of climate change. With COP28 now behind us, it’s clear that after 28 iterations, the issue still looms large, showing just how complex it is. But before we dive into what could be improved, let’s take a moment to acknowledge the progress we’ve made.

1)COP28 concluded with an agreement focused on the transition away from fossil fuels. Addressing the future role of all fossil fuels in the energy transition is a critical step in mitigating climate change and promoting sustainability. 2) In addition, the commitment of over 120 countries to work towards tripling renewable energy and doubling energy efficiency in a side agreement is a positive development. 3) COP28 and YOUNGO launched the first-ever Youth Stocktake, a comprehensive analysis of youth engagement in climate diplomacy that provides a strategic blueprint for strengthening youth participation in COP processes.  4) At COP28 the first generative AI for climate change tool was launched to distil various data of climate change and research into concise insights to aid youth negotiators to gain rapid access to the latest information.

Part 1: Bridging the Divide: Youth Perspectives at COP28

All this would have been unimaginable 20 years ago: the increase in attendance may reflect the growing global awareness of climate change.    At COP28, 97,000 people participated in person, however, with such a large number of stakeholders from different regions, age groups and backgrounds, there are also challenges.   Designing spaces also means designing behaviours. There is a need to rethink the overall design of such a conference. With so many events going on in parallel, we divert attention away from action and meaningful conversations.    Actually, European youth is very well connected. I think we are at most one connection away from people working in the sector. How is that possible, you might ask? Events like EUSEW are enablers of this connections. They create moments to meet, share progress and build networks. Thanks to the rapid growth of youth-led initiatives such as YES-Europe, EYEN, Generation Climate Europe and many more, a central event such as EUSEW to bring everyone together and connect with civil society and industry is crucial to build bridges and raise awareness of ongoing projects. The EU is also adding momentum by developing programmes such as the Young Energy Ambassadors, the European Climate Pact Ambassadors, etc. We have fun doing it and we have built trust through shared life experiences. Young people also represent a greater diversity of voices, including civil society, activists, academics to the leaders of tech start-ups at the forefront of climate innovation. While there are some fears of a youth washing, delegations should be commended for starting to give space to the generation that will be most affected.

 

Part 2: Learning from the Global South and Accelerating Climate Solutions

We must glean valuable lessons from the Global South and steer clear of complacency. While Europe leads in technological innovation, there’s a need for improvement in political engagement, women’s representation, and community building. Surprisingly, Rwanda boasts the highest representation of women in parliament (61.3%), followed by Cuba (55.7%) outshining countries that have always been a reference point in Europe like Sweden. More info here

Fast-tracking technology transfer for climate action is essential. A climate visa program could expedite this process, attracting skilled professionals to fill manufacturing talent gaps. Such a initiative would facilitate global knowledge sharing, draw in diverse experts, and stimulate collaboration, resulting in innovative technologies, improved policies, and effective mitigation strategies for challenging sectors.

 

Part 3: Collaborative Technological Progress and Sustainable Materials

Similar to the EU’s foundation on the four freedoms, we must confront uncomfortable questions for more collaborative technological progress. Initiating discussions around intellectual property is vital to ensure the sharing of critical technologies. Principle 9 of the Rio Declaration emphasizes cooperation among states for scientific improvement through technology exchange. Ideas for establishing multilateral funds to acquire intellectual property rights and climate technologies exist, but caution is necessary to avoid over-relaxing green technology intellectual property rights, which could encourage reliance on secrecy.

Transitioning to net-zero energy solutions requires attention to materials, primarily sourced from quasi-monopolistic third-country suppliers, as reflected in the Critical Raw Materials Act. Diversifying supply chains and building internal capacity for alternative materials can restore Europe to a competitive role. The integration of biotech, quantum computing, and machine learning can accelerate progress in this domain.

 

In conclusion, measuring COP’s success requires pragmatic KPIs amidst polarized information landscapes. As youth representatives, we strive to avoid repeating the mistakes of older generations. Creating more moments and spaces for connecting and sharing is crucial.