Meet Shradha Pandey, a 2020 Student Energy Fellowship alumnus and final year Policy and Law student at the Tamil Nadu National Law University, Tiruchirapalli, India.

She is primarily interested in studying the inter-relation of Sustainable Development Goals and their promotion of Rural development. She has worked on projects relating to the effect of policies on rural communities. She is a member of the Unnat Bharat Abhiyaan national flagship program (UBA) in her University. She has worked with various organizations like Swaraj India, InSIG etc., to understand the implications of national policies in the field of Education, internet governance, inclusive sustainable development of rural communities in India.

Shradha was the recipient of the SE Leaders fellowship in 2020 for her team’s project “Global Energy Management System” (GEMS). She wanted to play a prominent role in working on projects that focused on eradicating energy poverty from developing nations and fostering green growth through effective consulting solutions for sustainable energy targeting corporations, institutions, government and private sector. Pursuant to her vision, she and a group of like-minded energy enthusiasts (Mohammed Atif, Ashwin Reddy) set up the project “Global Energy Management System” (GEMS) to provide the developing countries with the energy services necessary to continue their rapid growth and continue to lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty without jeopardizing the well-being of future generations. Their project, GEMS, was selected as one of the 98 youth initiatives for the Youth Sustainable Energy Hub by the SDG7 Youth Constituency at United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth. Her work has truly stood out in the field of energy poverty in India and has been recognized at the national and international levels. She was selected as the ITU Asia-Pacific Youth Envoy for Generation Connect at International Telecommunication Union, Pacific, where she worked on connecting the Internet- Communication Technologies with inclusive Sustainable Development. She also had the opportunity to meet Women in ICT entrepreneurs and shared about the project GEMS, with other women across the globe to empower and grow together.

Shradha is currently the President of her chapter at SE TNNLU 2021-22, and she is a part of the SE Career Training Pilot Cohort 2022. She plans to pursue a career in energy policy and intends to bring a change in this world one step at a time.

You can connect with her on Linkedin or reach out to her via email. Feel free to connect with her and the SE Chapter at TNNLU. She is always looking to meet new people and learn about different cultures.

Today we’re thrilled to amplify the work of one of our powerhouse Chapters, Student Energy at Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán. Check out their statement below on their structure, principles, and ambitions.

Student Energy at UADY is a multi-disciplinary chapter in Yucatan, Mexico. We are in the Faculty of Chemical Engineering, where we study engineering and scientific careers. The executive team is led by Sofia as President, Vice-president Majo and Coordinators Valkiria, Gabriela, Alejandra, Eduardo and Nathalia. Our mission is to motivate the university community with interest in the energy sector, climate change, sustainable development and anyone who wants to make a big change in their communities.

We continue to work for the environment as we observe and feel the consequences of climate change in our communities daily, which are often the result of the lack of action of our authorities. That is why we avoid being just spectators and inspire each other to become agents of change, fighting for a fair energy transition for all.

Citizen participation and creating environmental awareness in our community is very important to us. We are all facing the same catastrophic fate, but we should not sit back and wait for that, we must understand that every action counts to continue inspiring others and join this awakening for the environment. Another issue that we frequently address is energy poverty, since in Mexico a large percentage of the population is in a situation of poverty. For this reason, we believe that we must continue to raise our voices and fight for access to clean energy for all.

As a student chapter we have collaborated with different associations participating in conferences, panel tables, workshops, summits, among other events at regional, national, and international levels. Similarly, we have organized events that encourage student participation in projects with an environmental impact through cultural, artistic, and academic activities. We have also supported government projects with our young perspective and always promoting the importance of human rights and environmental awareness. Our star project is the Student Energy at UADY Podcast, our first season was a series of episodes around the topic of citizen participation in projects around the energy sector, where we talked about human rights, environmental activism, energy transition in Yucatan, community projects and much more.

We also impulse ANUSE (National University Alliance of the Energy Sector) an initiative of the student energy chapters in Mexico. We collaborate with Student Energy at Polytechnic Institute of Mexico, University of Guadalajara and Poza Rica to promote a national network of energy leaders.

For the Student Energy at UADY team, it is important to motivate ourselves with the actions of great climate leaders. True influencers of our generation like Greta Thunberg and Charlotte from noseaswaste. As well as Mexican activists who risked their lives for our ecosystems such as Isaac Herrera Aviles, Paulina Gomez Palacio Escudero, Jaime Jimenez Ruíz and Homero Gomez Gonzalez. Our greatest mentor is Dr. Salvador Castell, an important environmental activist from our region who has supported our steps as young leaders. He is president of Va por la Tierra, they have a website where we read the best climate news in the region (https://vaporlatierra.com/).

We want to continue inspiring more young people to join the movement. Bring more activities with an impact on our community and promote the strengthening of the rural areas of our State. We plan to continue collaborating with other Student Energy chapters and learn new perspectives and opinions.

Student Energy has been a great support for us, especially thanks to our coordinator Vaughn who motivates us to continue with our activities and answers all of our questions.

If you are interested in being part of Student Energy, don’t think twice. This movement has united us as friends and allies for the planet. It is time to stand up together and make the difference in our communities.

Only one can’t change the world, but one by one we can inspire the world.

Follow us on:
Instagram: studentenergyuady (https://www.instagram.com/studentenergyuady/)
Facebook: Student Energy at UADY (https://m.facebook.com/studentenergyuady/)
Twitter: SEatUADY (https://twitter.com/seatuady)
Tiktok: seatuady (tiktok.com/@seatuady)
Spotify: Student Energy at UADY Podcast (https://spoti.fi/3HQeCwp)
YouTube: Student Energy at UADY
(https://youtube.com/channel/UC8Y3CMr4cqRW5QblZ21Wr9w)

🌎 Student Energy and National University Alliance of the Energy Sector (Alianza Nacional Universitarios del Sector Energético – ANUSE) are breaking boundaries!

Rafael and Diana from our Chapter at National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico visited the Chapter at Autonomous University of Yucatan for a fantastic meet-up! How exciting is it that they were able to meet their friends and allies in the energy transition movement in person? While visiting, they took the opportunity to discuss upcoming collaborations at ANUSE, issues facing the energy sector, opportunities, and much more.

➡️ ANUSE is an initiative of the Student Energy Chapters in Mexico. Currently, the network includes our Chapters at Autonomous University of Yucatan, National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico, University of Guadalajara and Higher Technological Institute of Poza Rica to promote a national network of energy leaders. ANUSE will promote the exchange of ideas, support among energy leaders, and accelerate the energy transition in the country through training, networking, holding regional summits, and inclusion and multiculturalism.

ANUSE will be a space for interaction and exchange in the community of Mexican chapters to ensure a path on which they can share summits, conferences, scholarships, and any other opportunities to benefit their energy leaders. Their first online meeting was held at the national level and then presented at the Global Chapters Call in March, where its future was discussed. The national alliance of university students from the energy sector is a great opportunity to expand the horizons of the energy transition.

Greetings from Groningen, a lovely student city in The Netherlands, to you there reading this! My name is Justin Warners and I am the chair of the Student Energy Chapter in Groningen. Born and raised in the area of Groningen, I have not strayed far yet, but it has brought me amazing experiences nonetheless! The part where every international tries to properly pronounce Groningen is a nice addition, so good luck with that 😉

After finishing high school, I wanted to be part of the new energy movement and decided to start studying Physics in Groningen. Here I met Melav Salih, who started Student Energy’s presence in The Netherlands. From the start, we are affiliated with the study association ATMOS, which is

tied to the Energy and Environmental Sciences Master. Here I am continuing my studying after having finished the Physics degree.

Atmos and Student Energy share the same core values about sustainability, which makes it a great match! Combining the knowledge from these two parties is very energizing! The Student Energy network is a great place to meet new people with all different kinds of perspectives from all around the world. Sharing the same motives in the energy sector is a great way of bonding with each other. The monthly calls are a lovely way to stay connected, but also cross-continent events are organized at ATMOS to bring worlds closer together. As we did this recently with a team from the Student Energy Fellowship in Namibia, (Eunice Shapange, Eva Ephraim from IncluSustainEnviroSpaces (ISES)!) who were part of our day about the citizen perspective in the energy transition.

I just finished my research project on the design of a part in a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell to allow for new ways of performing measurements on the reactions occurring inside of it. So I am very excited about what new knowledge this might bring us!

To graduate, another research needs to be done, which I am planning on doing in Sweden!! With that, however, my time in Groningen comes to an end, but luckily Student Energy offers an alums program to stay part of the amazing network.

If you would like to experience this yourself, simply reach out to Student Energy and you will be welcomed with open arms. We are an extended community where everyone’s ideas are highly appreciated! Either via the global entity or a Chapter in your area. But of course you can also reach out to our chapter in Groningen! If you have any questions about Student Energy in general, or about collaborating on an event for which we always are very excited! You can reach us at groningen@studentenergy.org or me personally via LinkedIn!

If each of us tries to improve the world one step at a time, then together we can make a billion steps! So just start walking!

Thank you for your time to read this and I wish you all the best! And as we say here in Groningen: moi eem! /mɔi̯em/ (which can be a greeting or a farewell).

Justin

Cities are also home to the world’s richest and poorest communities, with vastly unequal ecological and carbon footprints. As the world continues to urbanize, it becomes increasingly important to consider exactly what impact cities have on the planet and why they may have the unique ability to catalyze bold climate action. 

Carbon emission and energy use in cities can be divided into two categories – direct emissions and embedded emissions: [3,4]  

Direct emissions:
A city’s direct emissions are largely a result of energy use in the city and fall into one of three activities:

1. Electricity and fuel use in residential and commercial buildings
2. Road transportation, particularly cars and trucks
3. Electricity used for heating and cooling – this will be particularly important as rising global temperatures are expected to increase use of air conditioning systems

However, direct emissions produced within cities is not just a climate problem but also carries a significant health burden. With nine in ten people in urban areas breathing in polluted air, the World Health Organization estimates over 6 million premature deaths per year are attributable to air pollution. This is more than the deaths from malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis combined. [4]

There also exists an economic case for reducing direct urban emissions. Multiple studies have found that investing in low-carbon energy policies like retrofits, clean energy, and sustainable buildings would result in lower energy bills for both households and commercial buildings. [6,7]

Embedded emissions:
While it’s critical to look at a city’s direct energy consumption and carbon emissions, a large portion of cities emissions are embedded in the food and products that urban dwellers consume. Oftentimes, these products are imported from all over the world, resulting in higher carbon emissions needed to transport the goods.

Building upon the ecological footprint concept developed by researchers William Rees and Mathis Wackernagel, research indicates most cities have an ecological footprint multiple times the size of the actual city boundaries. With increasing city demand for carbon intensive products like meat and dairy, or bigger cars,  we will see increases in the amounts of land, water, energy, and other natural resources be required to sustain the upward trajectory of consumption.

Solutions
To address the climate crisis, cities will have to reduce their overall consumption of energy and of natural resources, while ensuring its residents maintain or gain access to basic needs and achieve good quality of life. Here are some ways cities can pilot innovative climate solutions that reduce emissions that also benefit their citizens: 

1. Greening electricity use: 
   1. Energy conservation is a key strategy to reducing emissions from electricity use. Designing more sustainable buildings, incentivizing retrofits, updating building codes, and enforcing energy efficiency standards in cities can reduce demand for electricity.
   2. Cities also have a power in phasing out fossil fuels on a large scale
      1. Representing over a billion people, over 1300 cities have set targets to boost renewable energy
      2. Additionally, nearly 50 cities have enforced complete or partial bans on fossil fuels. [5]
2. Dense, walkable communities with public transportation:
   1. Density can act as one of the strongest methods that a city can employ to fight climate change. By building dense, walkable communities with affordable public transportation and grocery stores, schools, and businesses close to people’s homes, cities can reduce the number of cars on the road, reduce urban sprawl, and promote urban planning for people and green spaces. 
   2. Fewer fossil fuel burning cars will also have the added benefit of reducing air pollution, while increasing urban green space provides essential natural cooling that counters the urban heat island effect.
3. Shifting consumption patterns and becoming more self-reliant:
   1. Cities have unique potential to shift consumption patterns to reduce their overall carbon and ecological footprints. Here’s one reason why: They tend to have closer relationships with the small businesses, community groups, and grassroots organizations in the city, who are some of the most important players in helping to advocate for and shape the culture and lifestyle of a city’s residents. For example, climate policies that support a shift to plant-based diets and reduced food waste would be more equitable and more effectively implemented when bolstered by policies and community-level initiatives that increase food access for low-income residents, investments in community-led food justice initiatives, and opportunities for small businesses and community organizations to participate in the transition. 

Although making these shifts to transportation systems, food systems, and energy systems will be a big challenge – they pay off for the environment and for city residents will be invaluable. Just investing in energy efficiency and building upgrades alone could generate anywhere from 2 to 16 million jobs annually, depending on the city, while investing in public transport and vehicle efficiency could bring in even more millions of jobs [8].

Conclusion
Direct and embedded consumption and carbon emissions within cities has caused the ecological footprint of many urban areas to extend far beyond their own internal operations and energy use. As a result, cities have a responsibility to decarbonize buildings, transportation, and businesses, as well as consider how their actions can reduce negative impacts on natural ecosystems, rural communities, and Indigenous lands outside of their political boundaries. 

However, cities also have the unique opportunity to kickstart decarbonization and accelerate the sustainable energy transition with potential to lead the way to a greener future – even when national climate commitments and international negotiations are progressing slowly. The large concentration of people in cities, particularly young people, also means climate activities can organize more effectively and in large numbers to take decisive action and build more sustainable, equitable communities.

References:

[1] United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. World Urbanization Prospects – The 2018 Revision. New York: United Nations; 2015 [cited 2022 April 12]. 126 p. Available from:  https://population.un.org/wup/Publications/Files/WUP2018-Report.pdf

[2] United Nations [Internet]. New York: United Nations; n.d. Goal 11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. [cited 2022 April 12]. Available from: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/cities/

[3] de Coninck H, Revi A, Babiker M, Bertoldi P, Buckeridge M, Cartwright A, Dong W, Ford J, Fuss S, Hourcade JC, Ley D, Mechler R, Newman P, Revokatova A, Schultz S, Steg L, Sugiyama T. Strengthening and Implementing the Global Response. In: Masson Delmotte V, Zhai P, Pörtner HO, Roberts D, Skea J, Shukla PR, Pirani A, Moufouma-Okia W, Péan C, Pidcock R, Connors S, Matthews JBR, Chen Y, Zhou X, Gomis MI, Lonnoy E, Maycock T, Tignor M, Waterfield, T, editors. Global Warming of 1.5°C. An IPCC Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate poverty. Geneva: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; 2018.

[4] The World Bank [Internet]. Washington: The World Bank; n.d. Electricity production from oil, gas and coal sources (% of total). [cited 22 April 12]. Available from:  https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.ELC.FOSL.ZS?end=2015&start=1970&view=chart

[5] Graham, J [Internet]. London: Reuters; 2021 Mar 21. One billion people live in cities shifting away from fossil fuels. [cited 2022 April 12]. Available from:  https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climate-change-cities-energy-idUSKBN2BA0RW

[6] Goldstein B, Gounaridis D, Newell JP. The carbon footprint of household energy use in the United States. PNAS. 2020, 117(32):19122-19130.
[7] Gouldson A, Colenbrander S, Sudmant A, McAnulla F, Kerr N, Sakai P, Hall S, Papargyropoulou E,  Kuylenstierna J. Exploring the economic case for climate action in cities. Global Environmental Change. 2015, 35: 93-105. 

[8] Sudmant A, Gouldson A [Internet]. Washington: The City Fix; 2018 June 8. Cleaner Air, New Jobs, Reduced Inequality: The Benefits of Low-Carbon. [cited 2022 April 12]. Available from: https://thecityfix.com/blog/cleaner-air-new-jobs-reduced-inequality-benefits-low-carbon-cities-andrew-sudmant-andy-gouldson/

During the COVID-19 pandemic, dwindling demand for oil resulted in drastic decreases in production. As a result, oil companies began shutting down wells and laying off employees. However, as the pandemic entered a new stage with the introduction of vaccines, demand for oil across the globe surged – but with a decreased labor force and inactive wells, oil companies have been slow to catch up with the rapid demand for gasoline. Combined with the attack on Ukraine, interruptions of Russian oil shipments, and US import bans on Russia (who supplies 12% of the world’s oil) global oil prices have risen nearly 65% since the beginning of 2022.

Amongst the current situation, two sides of discussion have emerged within the energy sector:

“Energy security should take precedence over clean energy transitions”

Fossil fuel proponents, including many oil and gas producing countries, argue that now is the time for greater investment in oil and gas. Supporters are highlighting several reasons for expansion of the fossil fuel industry, including:

• Transition away from fossil-fuel energy would cause energy prices to become too high for millions around the world
• The energy transition will take time and in that period, the world will need more oil and gas – the world needs to be pragmatic about ‘near term goals’
• Oil and gas and climate action are not mutually exclusive. Oil and gas will remain as part of the overall energy mix, and investments must continue in the oil and gas front

“Without energy security, countries will lose the means to tackle climate change,”
– Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister

“We cannot and  we must not unplug the current energy system before we have built the new one”
– Sultan al-Jaber, UAE’s special envoy for climate change and managing director of Abu Dhab’s  state-owned oil company

“We cannot afford to continue using fossil fuels” 

Climate scientists and activists are calling the current global crisis an opportunity to ignite true reform within the energy sector, and push back against increased investments in fossil fuels to stay within the 1.5°C limit set to mitigate catastrophic climate consequences. With Russia being the world’s second top producer of crude oil and supplier of approximately ⅓ of  Europe’s oil, European governments have been prompted to reappraise their energy supplies, and consider clean energy sources and increased efficiency to decrease dependence on fossil fuels for environmental and geopolitical reasons

“There is now significant evidence to show that hydrocarbons are not just environmentally unsustainable, but that they weaken the social, political and economic fabric of our world too,” 

• David Blood, Co-Chair, World Resources Institute Global Board of Directors.

Without transition to clean energy, the devastating impacts of climate change such as increased frequency of extreme weather events and forest fires, rising global food insecurity, and biodiversity extinction will continue to have vast impacts on society and the planet. According to the Unextractable Fossil Fuels in a 1.5°C World, released in September 2021, 60% of oil and gas and 90% of coal reserves around the worst must remain underground and unutilized to have a 50% chance of preventing the worst impacts of climate change. Additionally, the report also estimates that global oil and gas production must decline by 3% annually until 2050.

What’s happening now?
Indeed, some countries may be placing greater priority on energy security over clean energy goals due to the Russian invasion. For instance, China plans to recover and stabilize oil output to 200 million tons a year by 2025, a 5% increase from 2018 and is targeting production of 230 billion cubic meters of gas by 2025, a 19% increase from 2020. In Australia, emission reduction efforts such as early closure of coal plants, may be decreasingly prioritized as the government emphasizes the country’s need for energy security and lower energy costs.  

In Europe, Germany plans on building two liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals supplied by Qatar to replace imports from Russia. Government in Munich has also decided to extend the life of one of the city’s coal-fired power plants, which was previously planned for conversion to burn natural gas in spring 2023. Additionally, UK prime minister Boris Johnson made headlines for hinting at potential UK reliance on Saudi Arabia to speed up oil production for the country – a move criticized for feigning ignorance to Saudi Arabia’s record of human rights abuse. 

At the same time, the European Commission has announced an ambitious plan to reduce reliance on Russian gas by two-thirds by the end of 2022 and abolish all Russian fossil fields by 2030. The EC’s plan would prioritize installation of solar panels as well as divert LNG supplies from non-Russian sources. Despite the plan to build two LNG terminals, Germany has also set out an agenda to generate 100% of its energy production from renewable sources by 2035. Moreover, the Netherlands aims to double its planned offshore wind capacity by 2030, while France is increasing its support for renewable energy heating. 

The Bottom line

The current shift in oil and gas demand has led to arguments and action towards short-term solutions that address pressing energy security challenges. Although these challenges are of real concern and cause significant disadvantages for large portions of the global population, continued reliance on fossil fuels is an unsustainable strategy – especially with its well-known environmental, and rising geopolitical and ethical concerns.  With renewable energy technology becoming increasingly inexpensive, clean energy methods can serve as a protector against the multifaceted concerns and consequences of the fossil fuel industry; and the pressure of the climate emergency intertwined with recent energy crises only demonstrates how transitions to clean energy systems are critical now more than ever before.

From Global Teacher Prize:

“Jeremiah Thoronka was born amid the fighting of the Sierra Leone civil war and grew up with his single mother in a slum camp for displaced people on the outskirts of the capital Freetown, having to burn charcoal and wood for lighting and heating. Jeremiah saw with his own eyes how, in addition to the photochemical smog making respiratory problems commonplace, his young contemporaries fell behind in their schoolwork because of a lack of decent lighting.

Energy poverty is a major issue in Sierra Leonne – with just 26% of the population having access to electricity. In rural parts of the country, only 6% of people haveelectricityaccess, with most turning to solar lanterns and dry-cell batteries. As a result, it’s led to the destruction of forests as people chop down trees for firewood, which leaves Sierra Leone highly vulnerable to extreme events like flooding and landslides. Families’ reliance on firewood and cheap kerosene generators also lead to frequent house fires.

These life-threatening disadvantages and hardships fuelled Jeremiah’s passion for renewable energy and climate change advocacy. At 17, when studying at the African Leadership University in Rwanda, he launched a start-up called Optim Energy that transforms vibrations from vehicles and pedestrian footfall on roads into an electric current. It is different from established renewable energy sources including wind or solar because it generates power without relying on changeable weather. At the same time, no battery and no electricity connection to an external power source is needed.

Optim Energy ran a successful pilot program in Jeremiah’s neighbourhoods, Makawo in the northern part of Sierra Leone and Kuntoluh east of Freetown. With just two devices, the start-up provided free electricity to 150 households comprising around 1,500 citizens, as well as 15 schools where more than 9,000 students attend.

Jeremiah is currently developing plans to expand into the healthcare sector, which needs power to chill medicines and vaccines and create sufficient light for treating patients after dark.Jeremiah is a United Nations Academic Impact Millennium Fellow and Optim Energy was voted the most Innovative Energy Start-up 2020 by United Nations Major Group on Children and Youth (UNMGCY), and the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 Youth Constituency. Jeremiah is also one of the World Wildlife Fund’s top 100 Young African Conservation Leaders.”

http://https://youtu.be/2J1C1I3-KWY

Next week #COP26 begins, which will position the climate crisis firmly in the global consciousness. Student Energy will be there, and we will be empowered by the knowledge that if we are to achieve net zero, it will be together.

Are you going to COP26? Let us know!

If you’re headed to COP26, Student Energy would love to connect with you. Send an email letting us know your plans to Helen, our Senior Director of Global Partnerships at helen@studentenergy.org, or message us on Instagram. We will arrange a meet!

The Global Youth Energy Outlook Official Launch Event

Student Energy will host the official launch event of its flagship research initiative, the Global Youth Energy Outlook, in the Green Zone of COP26 at the Glasgow Science Centre on November 4th from 12.00 to 13.30.

The Global Youth Energy Outlook is the definitive tool at COP26 for understanding what today’s youth, 18 to 30 years old, want for the future of energy and climate. Student Energy has been working with a team of 12 youth Regional Coordinators worldwide over the past 18 months to develop a research methodology focused on doing a comprehensive study of our 41,000+ youth network’s ambitions on climate in their communities.

The launch event will include an intergenerational programme where Student Energy’s Regional Coordinators will showcase key findings and regional insights from their research, as well as pathways for decision-makers to work collaboratively with youth on setting the agenda for achieving SDG 7.

This event is in-person and open to all accredited and non-accredited attendees in Glasgow, however registration for Green Zone tickets is required. Book your Green Zone tickets here.

Call for Submissions: Women Leading on Climate

Women Leading on Climate, in partnership with Student Energy, want to hear from women who are taking action to fight the climate crisis. In the leadup to COP26, film a short video (30 seconds – 2 minutes) telling the world why you care about climate change, climate’s impact on women, and women leading on solutions. 

Post it on or before November 5 with the hashtag #WomenLeadingonClimate to help us show global governments how important women are to achieving our climate goals. We will amplify your voice on our own platforms.

What else are we up to at COP26?

Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) Summit

Student Energy Executive Director Meredith Adler will speak on a leaders discussion at the NYTimes Climate Hub Forum entitled, “Green Upskilling: The Next Generation of Climate Skills and Leadership”. Check out the NYTimes Climate Hub program at COP 26 and how to participate here. 

SDG 7 Pavilion for the People and for the Planet at COP26 

Co-Hosted by SEforALL, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the IKEA Foundation

For the first time in COP history, Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), in partnership with the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, will host a dedicated SDG7 Pavilion in the Blue Zone at COP26. The pavilion will bring together SDG7 stakeholders to mobilize and connect bold commitments and actions for energy around the world. The SDG7 Pavilion virtual platform will be available from 31 October 2021 and is open to all.  All SDG7 Pavilion Side events will be streamed live from 1-12 November. If you’re unable to watch an event live, you can also watch recorded events on the same platform. You will also be able to ask your questions to the organizers and to the speakers during the live sessions. 

SE specific session: Student Energy will host the Dialogue “Breaking Barriers for Youth to lead on SDG7” from 10.30 to 11.00 at the Pavilion on November 5th

A Business-Led Climate Resilience Initiative: Turning Aspirations into Action

Shakti Ramkumar, Student Energy’s Director of Communications and Policy, will be speaking at Resilience First and Wood Climate Resilience Reception: “A Business-Led Climate Resilience Initiative: Turning Aspirations into Action.” This event takes place on November 2nd. Register here

BBC Scotland Debate Night

Helen Watts, Student Energy’s Senior Director of Global Partnerships, will be participating in the COP26 special on BBC Scotland ‘Debate Night’. This programme features topical debate on the big issues affecting Scotland and beyond. Watch here

Let’s meet the Team Members!

Alison Fong

Alison is a budding young urbanist passionate about connecting people, communities, knowledge/stories, natural ecosystems, and the built environment through an inclusive and sustainable creative focus. A diligent character with multifaceted leadership skills, she has experience across diverse portfolios ranging from architecture, placemaking, urban planning, community engagement, graphic design and visual communications.

Currently completing her Master of Urban Planning at the University of Melbourne in Australia, Alison has been exploring adaptable housing and inclusive placemaking. She has also been actively seeking innovative ways to advocate for climate action, urban resilience action, and voices of young urban planning and design students and graduates of the University as part of her involvement with student society, The Urban Collective.

Jarret Fisher

Jarret Fisher is a North American Regional Coordinator for the Global Youth Energy Outlook, and has now joined the GCOM Youth Policy Innovation Team. She represented the United States at the 10th Clean Energy Ministerial and 4th Mission Innovation Youth Leaders Forum in Vancouver, Canada in May 2019. In addition, Jarret hosts a podcast called “Sustainable Cities” which details how cities around the world are contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Kayla Choi

Kayla Choi currently majors in Civil Engineering with specific interest in transportation, green buildings and renewable energy. Her past projects include spearheading fundraisers such as ‘Run for Life’, a 5-km mini-marathon to raise awareness for sustainable living, and ‘Plogging’, a street clean-up challenge event. With specific focus on energy and climate, she co-organized a renewable energy tour in Seoul for both locals and foreigners sponsored by KEEC, planned a curriculum for educating elementary students on climate change in partnership with the Climate Scouts program, arranged environmental campaigns on her university campus, co-planned and spoke at ‘Docking Talking’, a youth networking event to discuss environmental issues and solutions, and worked in the planning committee for ‘Energy Transition Frontier’, a nation-wide program to address wind energy barriers. Currently, she is serving as the OECD Pacific Regional Coordinator for Student Energy’s Global Youth Energy Outlook initiative and is a committee member of South Korea’s Youth Climate Network, Bigwave. In her spare time, she throws punches in her kickboxing classes, goes hiking in nearby trails, and likes to read on her kindle.

Nabila Putri Salsabila

Nabila Putri Salsabila (Salsa) is a lifelong, versatile learner and high achiever who aspires to be a consultant and decision/policymaker in the energy transition, climate action, and sustainable development sector. She is an incoming MSc Environmental Sciences student at ETH Zürich, majoring in Environmental Systems and Policy. She performs her duties at Student Energy as the Southeast Asia Regional Coordinator for the Global Youth Energy Outlook. In this role, she is assigned to engage 5,000+ youth in the region by disseminating questionnaires and co-leading regional dialogues with partner institutions. The Outlook will convey youth’s energy transition aspirations and demand a course of action at political, technological, financial, and societal levels, with findings set to be presented at COP26. Furthermore, she partook in the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative’s Youth Challenge Team as the Southeast Asia and the Pacific representative, where she proposed policy recommendations to enhance OGCI’s climate and decarbonization ambition as a major oil and gas consortium. Salsa is also a One Young World Ambassador who received the BP Advancing Energy scholarship in 2019 and is a McKinsey’s Next Generation Women Leaders Asia-Pacific 2021.

Nyashadzashe Kunaka

Nyashadzashe recently graduated with an MSc Degree in Energy Engineering (Including climate change) from the Pan African University Institute of Water and Energy Sciences. She got involved with Student Energy in 2018 when she became a member of the PAUWES Chapter and later served as the female Co-president from 2019-2020. Her main role focused on devising strategies to implement clean energy use and adopt energy efficiency measures to promote sustainable energy use in Algeria. In 2020, Nyashadzashe was selected as one of the Regional Coordinators representing the MENA Region for the Global Youth Energy Outlook, which is the first report of its kind focusing on engaging with 50 000+ youth to hear their views concerning the Sustainable Energy transition. Nyashadzashe is currently part of the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM) Youth Policy Innovation Team that aims to synthesize Student Energy’s Global Youth Energy Outlook and develop insights that cities can use to take climate action. Her hobbies include traveling, reading and watching TV.

Paola Flores Carvajal

Paola studies Industrial Engineering at Universidad San Francisco Xavier (USFX) and is passionate about renewable energy, science, start-ups, and community projects. In 2015, Paola received a scholarship from the Embassy of the United States of America to participate in a Science and Innovation Summer Camp in La Jolla, California where Paola gained life-changing experience about renewable energy and its importance in our future. Since then, Paola has worked on many social projects in Bolivia and founded Magnífica Warmi with a group of friends, which is a project that works with Indigenous women on issues related to the environment and climate change. In 2020, she participated in the Student Energy Leaders Fellowship and in 2021 was selected to represent Bolivia in the Youth4Climate: Driving Ambition at Milan for Pre-COP where 400 young people from all over the world will meet to propose the construction of a more sustainable future.

Syed Faisal Shah

Syed Faisal Shah is an engineer and youth activist from Pakistan and recently graduated with a Masters in Energy Management and Sustainability from the U.S.-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Energy at the University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar. Faisal is the Co-Founder of the Student Energy Chapter at USPCAS-E, a Student Energy Leaders Fellow, and is the South Asia Regional Coordinator of Student Energy’s Global Youth Energy Outlook. Faisal is also working as Youth Minister for Energy at the Provincial Youth Assembly where he is involved in raising the voices of young people in energy and climate policy making to ensure inclusive decision making. He is working towards driving sustainable development across Pakistan and South Asia. Faisal has participated and presented his research work in many national and international sustainable energy conferences. He recently published about sustainable development of large dams in the 3rd International Conference on Sustainable Energy Technologies. As a global citizen, Faisal loves to network and collaborate with young people from diverse educational, social and cultural backgrounds, and is passionate about working with young people on impactful projects for a sustainable and secure future.

Tianna Philippot

Tianna Philippot is a researcher at the Global Convenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy and is the North American Regional Coordinator for the Global Youth Energy Outlook with Student Energy. She has a degree in Biosystems Engineering and Environmental Specialization from the University of Manitoba and currently works as an Engineer-in-Training. Previous to that, she has worked in environmental engineering consulting, hydro power, and renewable energy research laboratories.

Ye Zheng

Ye is a first-year Masters in Civil Engineering student at Stanford University and was the GYEO Regional Coordinator of the Greater China region. Ye has been actively involved in research projects and humanitarian programs in diverse fields of structure designs, hazards mitigation and sustainable energy transition. During her undergraduate study at McGill University, Ye founded the McGill chapter of Student Energy and co-founded a social enterprise called PDT Food Depot which aims to promote surplus food re-utilization. This year, Ye led the GYEO Country Ambassador team in China to gather youth voices on the energy transition through distributing surveys and holding regional dialogues. In the future, Ye aspires to continue to take concrete steps towards promoting sustainable infrastructure and cities.

What: Signing of an MOU between Student Energy and New Energy Nexus to jointly fundraise to deploy capital to 10,000 youth-led clean energy projects by 2030.  The Clean Fight to also host a panel on their New York city specific clean energy transition work. 

Where: Figure Eight in Soho at 63 Greene St, New York City

When: 2:00PM – 4:00PM ET, with MOU signing at 2:15pm, followed by a panel featuring youth energy leaders and a panel on The Clean Fight

This work has been confirmed as the only official youth compact of the United Nations High-level Dialogue on Energy.

Note that all guests must follow CDC guidelines and COVID-19 protocols and masking will be required when not eating or drinking. 

Media Contacts:

Sean Collins,  Co-Founder

Student Energy

scollins@studentenergy.org 

+1 (780) 232 0339

Katie Hoffman

New Energy Nexus

katie.hoffman@newenergynexus.com