In December 2023, Erfan Firouzi, an environmental advocate and youth leader, took a prominent role at the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai, UAE. Handpicked by three prestigious organizations—UNFCCC YOUNGO to represent children and youth globally, the UAE government to represent Emirati youth, and the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN) to champion biodiversity advocacy—Firouzi stood as a beacon of hope and determination for the world’s youth.
Amidst over 70,000 participants at COP28, Firouzi exemplified the power of youth voices in driving urgent climate and biodiversity actions. With world leaders, policymakers, and experts gathered to address the escalating climate crisis, Firouzi’s advocacy emphasized the inseparable link between biodiversity and climate resilience.
What is COP28?
The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the United Nations’ flagship climate summit where countries unite to negotiate solutions to combat climate change. Hosted for the first time in Dubai, UAE, COP28 marked a pivotal moment in global climate action.
Key themes and outcomes of COP28 included:
1. Global Energy Transition
COP28 focused heavily on renewable energy, with major pledges such as $2.5 billion for renewable energy initiatives and $1.2 billion dedicated to methane reduction.
2. Loss and Damage Fund
One of the summit’s historic achievements was the establishment of a Loss and Damage Fund, supported by a $100 million pledge from the UAE. This fund will aid vulnerable nations severely impacted by climate-related disasters.
3. Health and Climate
For the first time in COP history, health was placed at the forefront of discussions with the UAE Declaration on Climate and Health, highlighting the link between climate change and public health.
4. Decarbonization Commitments
The summit saw groundbreaking agreements for decarbonizing oil and gas, reflecting a commitment to net-zero goals by 2050.
In its blend of high-level negotiations and grassroots participation, COP28 reinforced the necessity of integrating biodiversity into climate action, a theme central to Firouzi’s contributions.
Erfan Firouzi’s Role at COP28: A Voice for Biodiversity
Firouzi’s participation at COP28 was both extensive and impactful. As a delegate representing children, youth, and biodiversity advocates, he brought fresh perspectives to both the Green Zone, the public engagement space, and the Blue Zone, the hub of high-level negotiations.
Representing Youth Globally
- UNFCCC YOUNGO: As part of the official youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Firouzi advocated for youth-centric climate policies, emphasizing the role of education, innovation, and community action in tackling climate change.
- Global Youth Biodiversity Network: Representing this global platform, Firouzi highlighted the critical role biodiversity plays in climate resilience and advocated for policies that integrate biodiversity into climate strategies.
- UAE Youth: Chosen by the UAE government, Firouzi proudly represented Emirati youth, showcasing the nation’s commitment to fostering young leaders in environmental advocacy.
Advocacy Highlights
Firouzi’s contributions spanned a variety of events, workshops, and campaigns designed to amplify the youth voice and spotlight biodiversity conservation:
1. Green Zone Contributions
The Green Zone at COP28 provided Firouzi with a platform to inspire global audiences. His highlights included:
- Youth Pavilion Presentations: Firouzi was featured as part of a global youth delegation at the Youth Pavilion, where he delivered a powerful video presentation representing the youth of the world. The video celebrated the vitality, creativity, and resilience of young leaders advocating for biodiversity.
- Five Key Events: Firouzi participated in five major discussions, where he shared his journey as a biodiversity advocate, emphasized the need for rewilding ecosystems, and called for global collaboration to safeguard biodiversity.
2. Blue Zone Leadership
In the high-stakes Blue Zone, where negotiations among policymakers and world leaders take place, Firouzi played an influential role:
- Children and Youth Pavilion Campaign: Firouzi conducted a creative awareness campaign using butterfly specimens at the main hub of negotiations. This campaign symbolized the fragility of biodiversity and underscored the urgency of protecting it. The specimens served as a tangible reminder of what is at stake if global biodiversity loss continues unchecked.
- Panel Discussion: Firouzi joined a distinguished panel featuring renowned young advocates like Licypriya Kangujam, Emaan Danish Khan, and others. The panel explored the pivotal role of youth in shaping climate and biodiversity policies, highlighting the transformative power of collective action.
- Advocating for Biodiversity Integration: Through four to six events in the Blue Zone, Firouzi championed the inclusion of biodiversity in global climate frameworks, stressing that healthy ecosystems are essential to achieving climate resilience.
UNFCCC YOUNGO: The Power of Youth Advocacy
As the official youth constituency of the UNFCCC, YOUNGO empowers young people to actively engage in climate negotiations, ensuring their voices influence global policies. Through its dynamic structure, YOUNGO hosts events, organizes campaigns, and facilitates youth-led interventions at COP and beyond. Firouzi’s participation as a YOUNGO delegate reaffirmed the importance of including young voices in the fight against climate change.
Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN): Advocating for Nature
The Global Youth Biodiversity Network is a coalition of youth advocates united by a shared mission: to halt biodiversity loss and restore ecosystems. Representing GYBN at COP28, Firouzi emphasized the interconnectedness of biodiversity and climate resilience. His talks explored how safeguarding biodiversity can mitigate climate impacts, enhance food security, and foster sustainable development.
Rewilding the World: Firouzi’s Core Message
At the heart of Firouzi’s advocacy was the concept of rewilding—restoring ecosystems to their natural states to allow biodiversity to thrive. Speaking to audiences across the Green and Blue Zones, he highlighted rewilding as a powerful solution to combating biodiversity loss and addressing climate change.
“Rewilding is not just about saving species,” Firouzi said. “It’s about restoring balance, ensuring ecosystems flourish, and safeguarding humanity’s future.”
Hope in Action: Reflections on COP28
Firouzi described COP28 as a historic moment in global climate action, offering both challenges and hope. Key achievements from the summit, including renewable energy commitments, decarbonization agreements, and biodiversity pledges, underscored the potential for meaningful change.
“I am filled with hope,” Firouzi remarked. “COP28 has shown that every action, every conversation, and every commitment brings us closer to a sustainable future. Together, we can write a different story for our planet.”
A Call to Action
Firouzi’s message to the world was clear: the fight for biodiversity and climate resilience requires collective effort. He urged individuals, communities, and nations to take meaningful actions to protect ecosystems, reduce waste, and support biodiversity restoration.
“Let’s raise our voices, take bold actions, and reimagine a world where nature and humanity coexist harmoniously,” Firouzi said. “Together, we are not just shaping the future—we are securing it.”
