Breathe
By Cynthia Villarreal
The twenty-eighth Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) will begin these days. Undoubtedly, this is a crucial event in which the world's governments meet to negotiate actions to address the threat of climate change at a global level.
As soon as we see what COP28 is, we could reflect on the effectiveness of this multilateral conference. 28 years in which governments have met and we see that the global outlook with respect to climate change is not very encouraging. Clearly and forcefully the world's governments are not doing enough nor do they have the necessary ambition to stabilize the planet's temperature at 1.5 degrees, as set out in the Paris Agreement. According to the latest Climate Action Tracker update , current policies and actions will lead us to an average global temperature increase of 2.8 degrees Celsius. This is very worrying, particularly if we think about how difficult 2023 was in terms of climate change impacts.
Over the years, the COP has become not only a space for formal negotiations, but also a meeting place for civil society, universities, the private sector and even the countries themselves, which take advantage of the flexibility of the Blue Zone (an area designated during the COPs for country pavilions, organizations and other actors from all regions of the world) to discuss, agree, link and plan actions at all levels (local, regional, global).
In contrast to the rigidity, formality and bureaucracy of diplomatic negotiations, this other side of the COP is the space where action happens. That is why it is so valuable for society to participate in this global meeting. It is not about waiting at the door of the negotiating rooms for answers, but a dynamic space to catalyze grassroots climate action . It is in this space that universities have a great opportunity to hear voices from around the world and create the links needed to catalyze climate action.
As institutions of higher education we have a very important role and responsibility: to be an example to society and demonstrate that climate action is possible. We can show coherence and consistency between speeches, promises and good intentions versus real action. While governments and the private sector have clearly not yet reached the level of ambition needed to address climate change, universities, as small cities, can serve as living laboratories. There, on our campuses, we can have the necessary level of ambition, show that it is possible to achieve carbon neutrality, and above all, align with the science to guide ambition and action.
In addition, our responsibility extends beyond the classroom. We must work hand in hand with society, identifying and supporting the most urgent areas of attention in order to better face the climate crisis that everyone on the planet is experiencing.
Thus, the COP is an ideal place for dialogue, to analyze the current situation, to identify areas of opportunity to address climate change from various angles. It is also the space where universities show their achievements, their progress in climate action, where they link with other actors that increase the impact at regional and international level. It is also the space where young people learn, empower themselves and devise solutions that will guide us in the future.
For all of the above reasons, it is a priority for Tecnológico de Monterrey to participate in COP28. We link with universities, international organizations and finally we contribute to catalyze climate action through research, education, networking and the exchange of ideas of our students.
In the face of the voices that currently question, with good reason, the ineffectiveness, lack of commitment and ambition of the countries that diplomatically negotiate governmental actions to address climate change, let us not lose sight of this other space, the COP Green Zone . For more and more people, experts and even negotiators, this zone is becoming more and more important, more and more relevant. I could even say that it is the future of global climate meetings. There, where diplomatic rigidity does not hinder the very task that brought us together: to address climate change with alacrity. Let us not forget that this is our commitment, and it is also here, among the actors of global civil society, that climate action is currently taking place.
* Cynthia Villarreal Muraira holds a Bachelor's degree in International Trade from Tecnológico de Monterrey. She holds a Master's degree in Public Policy with a concentration in Political and Economic Development from the Kennedy School at Harvard University. She is currently Director of Sustainable Development and Outreach at Tecnológico de Monterrey.
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