COP28 Episode Seven
How Youth and Innovation are Driving the Transition
In the dynamic discussions at COP28, a compelling focus on innovation emerges as a cornerstone for achieving climate targets. The last of our daily highlights from COP looks at how youth and innovation are driving the transition towards Net Zero, and encouraging public engagement with climate solutions.
As Rob Nivens from CarbonCure Technologies emphasises, the urgency to harness and deploy innovative solutions is paramount to meet global environmental goals. Traditionally, innovation is seen through the lens of scientific advancements that transition from labs to everyday utilities. Cameron Hepburn from the Oxford Smith School highlights significant strides in electrolysis and building technologies, pointing to mechanical ventilation and heat recovery systems as unsung heroes of sustainable living.
Meanwhile, Barry Parker from MARS details the transformation required in logistics and packaging, advocating for a shift from high-carbon ingredients to lower-carbon alternatives. Jack 'Tato' Bigio from UBQ Materials echoes this sentiment, urging companies to take responsibility for their environmental impact through circular economies and alternative technologies, foreseeing a new economy driven by regulatory support and capital market shifts.
Concrete innovation is spotlighted by Rob Nivens, who highlights technology that captures CO2 for concrete production, mitigating its substantial greenhouse gas emissions. Spotlighting a different method of carbon capture, Tom Green from Vesta discusses their advances in coastal resilience by utilising olivine sand to enhance natural carbon removal processes.
The optimism of youth is a recurring theme, with John Leo Algo from Aksyon Klima Pilipinas underscoring the critical role of younger generations in driving change. Patrick Wachira, Founder and CEO of PNW Innovations Program, exemplifies this with his development of a robot that can inspect water systems. This young entrepreneur urges leaders to listen to youthful voices.
The conference concludes with a hopeful outlook. Noel Quinn, Group Chief Executive at HSBC, encourages a focus on positive advancements and scaling new technologies, while Ido Sella, Co-founder and CEO of Econcrete, celebrates the grassroots shift in power, emphasising that peoples' demands are catalysing faster change. Indeed, the future's potential for innovation-driven solutions offers a promising path toward sustainability.
