"Anwesha Nath Champions Climate Action: Driving Change for a Sustainable Tomorrow"

Can you give us a brief overview of your project and how it addresses SDG 13?

My project involves leading and expanding youth engagement in climate diplomacy under the UNFCCC process, specifically through the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) for the UAE in 2024, and now preparing for LCOY Qatar 2025. As part of the UN-endorsed YOUNGO constituency, I organized dialogues, workshops, and climate action planning that empowered young people to directly contribute to SDG 13. The outcomes from these conferences feed into global youth climate statements at COP, aligning grassroots action with global policy.

What inspired you to tackle climate change as part of your project?

As someone is from Assam, India, and lives in the UAE, I’ve witnessed both environmental vulnerability and the potential for youth-driven innovation. I was frustrated by how youth voices were often symbolic, not strategic.Over the years, I’ve traveled globally—from Egypt and Berlin to Chicago and Malaysia—for COPs and sustainability conferences. Witnessing the gap between youth activism and formal decision-making inspired me to step in and make that bridge more accessible for others like me.

What specific goals did your project aim to achieve in relation to combating climate change?

Elevate and formalize youth voices in climate negotiations.

Educate and prepare youth to engage in international climate policy.

Facilitate regional cooperation and knowledge-sharing among youth climate leaders.

Advocate for equitable climate finance and adaptation solutions at COP-level forums.

How did your project contribute to raising awareness about climate change or reducing its impacts?

Hosting the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) UAE 2024 raised awareness on climate finance, adaptation, and loss & damage among hundreds of youth participants. The conference included climate negotiation simulations, speaker panels, and policy writing sessions that prepared youth to meaningfully engage with UN climate forums. Now, with LCOY Qatar 2025 in progress, we aim to deepen regional awareness and push youth demands ahead of COP30. Additionally, my speeches and panel contributions at international conferences like COPs and the Forbes Sustainability Leaders Conference have spotlighted youth perspectives on climate finance and global action.

Did your project focus on any particular aspect of climate change (e.g., mitigation, adaptation, education)? If so, could you explain this focus?

Yes, the core focus was climate education and advocacy, with strong emphasis on climate finance and justice. I work to ensure youth understand key mechanisms like loss & damage, carbon markets (Article 6), and adaptation strategies, so they can push for evidence-based solutions during negotiations and community-level action.

What were some of the challenges you faced while implementing your project, particularly in addressing climate change, and how did you overcome them?

Major challenges included limited funding, bureaucratic delays in getting approvals, and a lack of climate literacy among some participants. I overcame these by collaborating with UN-accredited youth networks, using my climate advocacy platform to amplify support, and simplifying technical content into accessible youth toolkits. Persistence and partnership were key. Another challenge was representation fatigue—being the “only youth in the room” often. I addressed this by mentoring others and expanding youth participation wherever I go.

Can you share any specific outcomes or impacts your project had in relation to SDG 13?

Hosted LCOY UAE 2024, contributing directly to the Global Youth Statement for COP29.

Selected to speak at the Forbes Sustainability Conference to spotlight youth-led climate finance reform.

Traveled globally to represent youth at COPs and sustainability summits, influencing narratives on intergenerational equity.

LCOY Qatar 2025 now in progress, aiming to elevate Gulf and South Asian diaspora youth voices on the climate stage.

Did your project involve collaboration with other students, organizations, or community members? If yes, how did this collaboration enhance your project's effectiveness in combating climate change?

Yes. I worked with YOUNGO (UNFCCC’s youth constituency), the Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY), regional youth organizations, and grassroots changemakers. This collaborative model helped co-create climate solutions rooted in lived experiences and enabled policy inputs that were more inclusive, diverse, and representative of global youth realities.

What were some key lessons you learned from working on this project related to SDG 13?

Youth leadership is strongest when backed by knowledge and networks.

Climate policy can be intimidating, but demystifying it empowers more people to take action.

Regional collaboration can lead to climate action that is both culturally relevant and globally aligned.

Looking ahead, how do you plan to continue your efforts to combat climate change beyond the scope of your project, and what role do you see yourself playing in future climate action initiatives?

I plan to lead LCOY Qatar 2025, mentor new youth negotiators, and scale my sustainability education project across the Gulf. Long-term, I see myself in global climate consulting—ensuring policies and corporate actions align with justice-based climate goals. My aim is to always bridge youth energy with institutional impact.