COP27 Daily Insights – Day 5: Science and Youth & Future Generations Day

Youth & Future Generations Day: Passing the baton, or managing up?

By Emily Church

If you assumed that stakeholders representing the voice of future generations – in other words children, adolescents, very young adults and those who have not yet been born – were already well represented at COP events, you would be wrong. Despite regular theme days focused on Youth & Future Generations, COP27 is the first time this important demographic – who will bear a disproportionate amount of the most drastic consequences of climate change – have been given their own official, dedicated forum at the event in which to discuss key issues and policy demands that matter to them. As the continent with the youngest population globally, Africa was certainly a fitting location for this inaugural event giving global youth a voice of their own in the climate fight.

It hasn’t come a moment too soon. Despite the commendable efforts of youth activists such as Greta Thunberg gaining traction in the hearts and minds of the public in recent years, youth and future generation stakeholders have struggled to assert their influence in a manner that results in clear action, instead looking on in frustration as well-funded corporate bodies run by ‘the grown ups’, responsible for this mess in the first place, continue to dominate the flow of conversation regarding priorities in the climate crisis and solutions – the industry talks a good talk but very few actually offer financial backing to youth-lead entities.

Key topics discussed in the Youth Pavilion today were intergenerational policy on adaptation, resilience, mitigation, loss & damage and a just transition. ‘Passing the baton’ was an overarching theme symbolising the mission being handed down the generations, but with an impressive array of ideas and strategies discussed to help ensure climate pledges are honoured by those with the broadest shoulders coming out of Youth Day, the underlying feeling resulted in one of youth delegates ‘managing up’ to their older COP peers. And long may it continue - unencumbered by worries about shareholder value or economic policy, younger generations possess a clarity of vision which is vital if we are to develop transformative solutions in the fight against climate change.

Meanwhile, Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US House, made an appearance at COP27 today. Despite voicing that it is “hard to speak” about the midterm elections in the US, Pelosi added, “We can’t have political disagreements over this or let the fossil fuel industry cramp our style. The need is great enough and the urgency is clear enough.”

A number of UK politicians have also been active in Sharm-el-Sheikh. Chris Skidmore, Chair of Net Zero Review; BEIS secretary, Grant Shapps; and COP26 President Alok Sharma have made their rounds today, joining discussions across a number of panels. 

Science Day

By Millie Beale

Scientific expertise and credible data are needed more than ever, and today’s discussions in Sharm-el-Sheikh have seen a call for scientific research to be injected into all aspects of environmental policy and business action to create the scaffolding for climate progress. 

The start of the day focused on the landmark science reports that have been produced in 2022, including those from IPCC and UNEP. It also saw the release of new insights report from Future Earth, The Earth League and WCRP. The report touches on topics such as vulnerability hotspots, health threats, sustainable finance, and the phrase that continues to be a talking point, “loss and damage”. 

Climate Action Tracker has also published a COP27 global update, claiming that the government’s focus on the energy crisis has overshadowed their progress on climate action. The report threatens that proposed, approved and under construction LNG projects globally will seriously compromise meeting the 1.5°C limit. 

This research coincides with reports that a record number of lobbyist from the oil and gas industries are attending the COP conference this year, up 25% from last year’s figure. 

However, some climate positive news comes from Norway, with the announcement that it will be halting plans for its large new oilfield, which was previously expected to be a $10bn project. 

An appropriate entre to tomorrow’s themed day which is ‘Decarbonisation’.