Progress Driven by Civil Society

By Francisco Lara

The following blog is part of a series written by Blue Planet Alliance Global Ambassadors about their experiences in Dubai at the UN climate conference (a.k.a. COP28) last December, where they took part in more than 20 events. Blue Planet Alliance Global Ambassadors are a cohort of international youth that was founded by Blue Planet Alliance in 2022 at the Our Oceans Conference in Palau, to honor and empower young people from the ages of 16 to 30 to help spread our global mission of transitioning to 100% renewable energy. Learn more about the program — and how to apply to be a BPA Global Ambassador here.

This year, many people left COP28 with a sense of not doing enough or that the negotiations and the UAE Consensus were not ambitious enough — and they all are correct. This COP was not ambitious enough in terms of cutting emissions and setting achievable goals toward renewables. We all saw how last-minute drafts were showing up and the final decision was applauded while some island states representatives were out of the Plenary room trying to push for a different outcome — and that is how I feel, too, after this and each other COP and Climate Conference I have attended. 

However, Blue Planet Alliance promotes hands-on work and highlights what has not been achieved by decision-makers within the negotiating rooms, and is being advanced by civil society. As a Global Ambassador, I saw how the agreements between Blue Planet Alliance and governments work and how the pledge works at that level. For example, the President of Palau signed a pledge that marks the start of a journey in that country for renewables. Civil society is making progress along with policy-makers, but much of the real action took place out of the negotiating rooms, and instead occurred at side events, where the voices of youth were heard. 

Seeing how fellow Youth Ambassadors engaged in conversations, participated in side events, and shared their thoughts and expertise with multiple stakeholders makes a difference when it comes to talking about youth inclusion and participation. We got that at COP28 through the autonomy and possibilities that BPA and its partners offered to us.

I see COP28 as a success for civil society, for youth, and especially for those of us representing Blue Planet Alliance and working towards a possible future.

Francisco Lara is a Blue Planet Global Ambassador based in Costa Rica.