By Iman Berry
World leaders, country delegations, corporations, and civil society gathered in Baku, Azerbaijan, for COP29 in November 2024. The Conference of Parties (COP) is the annual meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to advance global efforts in combating climate change.
A Personal Journey to COP29
Before I attended my first Conference of Parties (COP), I couldn’t quite wrap my head around what actually went on there. It sounded like this mysterious, high-stakes gathering where huge decisions about the planet were made—decisions that felt so far removed from my day-to-day life. Fast forward to today, and I’ve just come back from COP29 as a FAWCO Youth delegate. It was a whirlwind of experiences, full of learning, connection, and moments that left me inspired and motivated. Let me share what made it so meaningful to me.
The UNFCCC is both an international treaty and the name of the secretariat tasked with implementing the Paris Agreement, which came into effect in 2016, superseding the Kyoto Protocol. Each year, member states of the treaty convene to negotiate and operationalize the commitments made under the Paris Agreement.
This year, I had the privilege of attending COP29 as a FAWCO Youth delegate. I followed negotiations, spoke at several side events, reconnected with old friends, and made many new connections. My focus was on the Just Transition negotiations, a stream I’ve been closely following since COP28 in Dubai.
The Just Transition negotiation stream is about ensuring a fair shift from our current world to one that actively combats climate change. This concept varies across countries but often includes efforts like fostering green jobs and formalizing the care economy. Unfortunately, at COP29, no consensus was reached on this topic, and discussions were deferred to the SBs (Subsidiary Bodies) Conference scheduled for June in Bonn, Germany.
Despite the stalled negotiations, my experience with the Youth Just Transition group was incredible (pictured below). Alongside this work, I organized and spoke at several impactful side events, channeling my passion for climate justice. My advocacy focuses on the intersection of human rights and climate migration—issues that hit close to home for me.
Here are some photos from my favorite events/meetings from COP29:
World Youth for Climate Justice Event - Focusing on how Climate Change has violated my and other Canadians’ human rights.
Speaking at the YOUNGO (Youth Constituency) press conference to publicize the incredible work YOUNGO has done before and during COP29.
Leading a Bilateral meeting with the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, Felipe Paullier.
Why Climate Justice Matters to Me
My passion for climate justice started with a trip to Pakistan, where my family is from. I still remember stepping out of the airport in Karachi and feeling like I couldn’t breathe. Growing up in Canada, I had never experienced anything like it. At the time, I didn’t think much of it, but as I got older, I realized that the poor air quality I encountered was just one symptom of a much bigger problem. It wasn’t temporary—it was the everyday reality for the people living there. Back in Canada, I started noticing the environmental injustices in my own community, like how racialized neighborhoods often lacked access to green spaces or environmental education.
This pushed me to co-found Green Ummah, an organization dedicated to bringing climate education to vulnerable communities across Canada. We created two curricula: one focusing on environmental justice and Canada’s colonial history, and another exploring the relationship between Islam and the environment. These action-oriented programs empower students to identify and tackle the issues they care about. Every participant also gets the chance to visit a local nature area, helping them build a connection to the land. So far, we’ve reached thousands of students across Canada and even parts of the U.S.
Reflections on COP29
Whenever someone asks me about my COP experience, I feel a mix of emotions. On one hand, there’s the heartbreak of seeing how climate change is already devastating so many lives. On the other hand, there’s the hope I get from meeting people who are doing incredible work to fight back. That hope keeps me going.
COP29 reminded me that the fight for a sustainable future isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. It’s about resilience, collaboration, and believing that we can make a difference—even when the challenges feel overwhelming. Being surrounded by so many passionate people reignited my determination to keep pushing for change in my community and beyond. Together, we’re proving that no one has to face this fight alone.
Until Next time!
If you would like to learn more about Green Ummah, you can take a look here:
Website:https://greenummah.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenummah/