Earlier this month, I attended COP28, the largest annual climate change conference hosted by the UN, in my dual capacity as a Moms Clean Air Force and EcoMadres program coordinator and as the cofounder of Nature Now International, an organization that empowers youth in the science-based conservation of vulnerable ecosystems and climate action. I came to COP wanting to see collaboration and compassion across nations, cultures, generations, and communities. Many contradicting interests were represented, from world leaders to fossil fuel billionaires to climate advocates. In the end, I left cautiously optimistic that progress is happening and deeply aware that more is necessary.
Here are some of my takeaways from COP28:
1. A methane win shows advocacy work in the United States has a global impact.
U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan made a groundbreaking announcement on December 2, finalizing oil and gas methane rules important for both public health and environmental justice. These rules also position the U.S. to fulfill its pledge of reducing methane emissions 30% by 2030, contributing to global climate change mitigation efforts. This milestone is a testament to more than a decade of tireless advocacy by Moms Clean Air Force, supported in just the last two years by over 100 testimonies and a staggering 50,000 written comments to EPA in favor of stronger protections. Grassroots advocacy can effect change.
2. “Fossil fuels” got called out in a big way, but this is just the beginning.
A main goal of the two-week conference of intense negotiations between countries was to draft language with (renewed) climate commitments for countries to follow. For the first time ever, the agreed on text calls for countries to “transition away” from fossil fuels. But it stops short of a complete phaseout, and the final document is full of watered-down language and loopholes and lacks accountability mechanisms.
The fossil fuel industry has always wielded influence at COP, but this year’s conference was held in a major oil-producing country with a record number of 2,456 fossil fuel lobbyists in attendance. The CEO of an oil company served as the president of COP and leaked documents suggesting plans to leverage the conference for oil deals even before it began.
While some have hailed the inclusion of “fossil fuels” in the final agreement as a historic breakthrough, Indigenous and frontline communities disagree and are calling it the COP28 Compromise. Advocates will continue to work for an equitable fossil fuel phaseout (#EFFPO) that goes beyond emissions reduction through technologies like carbon capture and storage and moves us toward a clean energy economy.
3. Youth collaboration is needed to drive meaningful climate policy outcomes.
The official UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) youth constituency, YOUNGO, played a pivotal role at COP28. YOUNGO worked to educate and demystify international climate policy, aiming to mobilize action at local and global levels. Young people elevated transparency and accountability at the conference, as many attending COP28 used their social media platforms to provide a unique window into the decision-making process. YOUNGO also presented the Global Youth Statement to the COP28 Youth Climate Champion, a culmination of efforts from Local Conferences of Youth (LCOYs) held in over 70 countries. I represented Moms Clean Air Force at the USA LCOY, collaborating with over 100 environmental leaders to draft a National Youth Statement that amplified the voices and perspectives of young people, especially those from vulnerable communities.
We need even more meaningful interactions between leaders, youth, and grassroots advocates—particularly inside the negotiation rooms—at the next COP.
4. There were many firsts at COP28, and we still have work to do.
After 28 years of UN climate conferences, this was the year of several breakthroughs, like the Loss and Damage Fund. Managed by the World Bank, the fund will channel resources to vulnerable countries to cope with the impacts of climate change. The wealthiest countries pledged a combined total of $700 million, which was hailed as a step in the right direction. But this only covers 0.2% of the estimated requirement for climate-related consequences like extreme weather events and crop failures.
This year’s inaugural Health Day formally recognized the link between climate change and human health—the foundation of Moms Clean Air Force’s work. An event hosted by the Director General of the World Health Organization celebrated a declaration by 123 countries to improve health infrastructure in the face of climate change. I’m anxious to see what improvements are made, even without accountability mechanisms in place.
The annual UN climate conference is so complex, with so many contradictory conversations happening at once. The outcomes of this year’s negotiation will take a long time to measure. Ultimately, it is up to individual countries to implement the commitments made on the global stage. Moms are working in the U.S. to ensure that ethical and effective state and federal climate policies center the needs of the people who are the most severely impacted by climate disruption.