Generation Action Youth Panel member Zayn gives his take on COP28

"In my opinion, COP28 has been somewhat controversial this year, with the outcomes seeming positive. However, the actions to achieve these outcomes could be considered ineffective, or even a step in the wrong direction.

At the conference in Dubai, it was agreed, for the first time, that countries need to "transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems", which calls for a much-needed move to renewable energy sources to help tackle climate change, as burning fossil fuels accounts for over 75% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. However, this plan does not mention any actions countries should take, nor incentivise them to take further action.

Although the agreement to keep emissions below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C, is legally binding, countries decide their NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions), and there is no incentive for countries to be more ambitious with them; many scientists have pointed out that, with current actions and NDCs, we will only limit global warming to only 3°C, which could lead to more extreme weather events, rising sea levels that could engulf more vulnerable nations and potentially "ice-free" summers in the Arctic within the coming decade or so.

Greta Thunberg, a renowned climate activist, has accused the summits of "greenwashing" (promoting climate actions/outcomes without making much change). However, this isn't even the worst of it. According to the BBC, documents were leaked which contained plans for the UAE, in particular, Sultan al-Jaber, the president of COP28 and CEO of ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company), to secure oil and gas deals with many of the COP28 attendees, such as Germany and China.

This highlights how many governments are simply attending summits such as COP28 for the purpose of the press, just to give the appearance of tackling climate change without making any changes. This poses the question, is climate change being treated as a political issue, and is much of this talk to limit global warming and save our planet simply a political stunt?

We can't rely on our governments to take action, it is down to us individuals to take action, whether that be small changes to our daily lives, or to become the next Greta Thunbergs and campaign to save our planet.

At the end of the day, it is our planet that needs saving, so we are all responsible."

Read blog posts from other Generation Action Youth Panel members Jon and Evie.