Sheenagh Rowland, 21, is studying History at Trinity and Erin O’Riordan is a 24-year-old recent graduate of Law from UCC. Both are members of Plan Ireland’s Youth Advisory Panel.
How can we expect meaningful climate action when fossil fuel lobbyists flood COP at record-breaking numbers each year? At COP26, 503 fossil fuel lobbyists attended; this swelled to 636 at COP27 and a staggering 2,456 at last year’s COP28 in Dubai. This rapid rise in the presence of fossil fuel lobbyists was replicated once again at this year’s COP with 1,773 lobbyists and close ties between these lobbyists and the petrostate Azerbaijan’s government.
The iron-clad grip of fossil fuel lobbyists has largely contributed to a sense of hopelessness when reflecting on the effectiveness of COP and has derailed efforts to negotiate a progressive and ambitious NCQG. Yet, for us the hopelessness of this situation only serves as further proof as to why it is essential we young activists, civil society organisations and NGOs need to be represented at COP.
The climate crisis disproportionately impacts girls and young people, compounding inequality through hunger and food insecurity, reduced access to education and health services, the erosion of livelihoods and increased gender-based violence. Plan International’s fundamental belief in the critical role youth and girls can and do play in climate leadership drives its determination to bring youth voices to the forefront of discussions. While this was coined the ‘finance’ COP, it wasn’t only about the dollar amount negotiated during the NCQG, it was about channelling the resources of wealthy nations to those who are most impacted by the climate crisis. This funding is not a luxury, but a lifeline.
Our objectives of attending COP29 were to challenge the current narrative, instil hope and push boundaries while bringing a youth-friendly lens to documenting the event. We spent our time amplifying MAPA (Most Affected People and Areas) voices, because the climate crisis is not their future but their present. We did our best to hold our leaders accountable to prioritising language that addressed children’s rights and gender equality and we welcome the acknowledgement of children, girls, and youth in the negotiated text. While the headlines might indicate that COP was a complete failure and is not fit for purpose, there are many detailed negotiations that took place that moved us closer to the better world that we know is possible in the future.
While we cannot sugar coat the reality of the situation, hopelessness will not benefit us in the fight against the climate crisis. Rebecca Solnit’s book Hope in the Dark offers an inspiring quote: “Joy doesn’t betray but sustains activism. And when you face a politics that aspires to make you fearful, alienated and isolated, joy is a fine act of insurrection.”
On the ground at COP, it was young people who kept the fight for gender and climate justice alive. Young activists challenged the narrative, instilled hope and pushed boundaries, and now we must continue to do it loudly and without apprehension. The outcome of the NCQG may be devastating, but we will not give up. We must demand more of our leaders and counter the climate denial and delay tactics of the “Mad Men of Big Oil” (as dubbed in season 3 of the podcast Drilled). To allow the conversation that directly affects women, girls and young people on the frontlines of the climate crisis to be completely dominated by these “men-in-suits” just won’t do.
While attending COP29 we made connections with powerful youth activists from around the world and built community with those who also deal with the duality of emotions of hope and frustration. We saw a sustainable fashion show with designers using innovative materials from Southeast Asia, filmed TikToks with youth activists from Plan International offices in Uganda, Australia, and Tanzania, and attended countless talks to hear those who bravely shared their stories from the frontlines of the climate crisis. We will bring this inspiration, passion, and community back to Ireland – ready to keep up the fight.
Fear and dread are not motivating in the long term. Those who hold power benefit from continuing to make us feel helpless, worn down and overwhelmed by the state of the world. In order to have long term sustainability in our activism, we must have hope, we must find joy, because these are the things that give us energy and something worth fighting for. Hope and joy are our weapons, and they are far more powerful than weapons of division, fear and hatred.
