University of Leicester students recently staged a “Mock COP” conference, simulating international climate negotiations as the real COP30 summit concludes in Brazil. The exercise allowed participants to embody different nations and grapple with the complexities of global climate policy, highlighting both anxiety and cautious optimism among young people regarding the future.
Generational Anxiety and Disengagement
The student-led event underscored a growing sense of unease among youth about climate change, coupled with a concerning level of disengagement. Andrew Alvedro, representing Spain, noted that many peers were unaware of the COP process itself — “a bit concerning,” he said. This apathy is fueled by perceived inaction despite clear scientific consensus and available technologies.
The core frustration expressed by students centered around the gap between awareness and policy implementation. They recognize the urgency of the crisis, yet see governments stuck in unproductive cycles.
A Decade After Paris: Lost Ground?
This year marks a decade since the landmark Paris Agreement, which aimed to limit global warming to 1.5°C. However, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that this target is now inevitable to overshoot, with 2024 being the first year the 1.5°C limit was breached.
This reality casts a shadow over the students’ simulated negotiations. Nour El Imane Boubekeur, representing France, expressed a mix of anxiety and hope, recalling the success of the 2015 agreement but acknowledging that “we need to make those changes right now if we don’t want to live in a nightmare.”
Hopeful Pragmatism
Despite widespread frustration, many students voiced a determined willingness to push for change. James Charlton, simulating Australia, emphasized the personal stakes: “That’s my life, that’s the world that I’ve got to live in.” He and others expressed confidence in the younger generation’s commitment to action.
Mohammed Siddiqui, chair of the university’s sustainability council, underscored the importance of this engagement: “As our generation is going to inherit the next era of decision-making… we want to ensure we have a planet we can sustain.”
The Mock COP exercise served as a stark reminder that while the science of climate change is settled, the real hurdle lies in political will and global cooperation.
The students’ simulation mirrored the real-world tensions between ambition and inertia, highlighting the urgent need for decisive action before the crisis spirals further.
