Over 90 Global Shapers representing more than 50 countries and territories worldwide attended COP27 in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt, to influence the negotiations, advance climate solutions, and advocate for the interests of the next generation and the future of our planet.
Throughout the two-week climate conference, exposure to the UNFCCC and its network of experts and leaders, including the World Economic Forum's Centre for Nature and Climate and Young Global Leaders, helped members expand their influence and ability to take action.
“As a young person who is passionate about building a sustainable future for my generation, I’m advocating for a just-transition that leaves no one behind.” Wole Hammond, Abuja Hub
In this report, you will find an overview of Global Shaper sessions, messages and actions at COP27. Scroll to the end for details on how to engage with our community.
Session Highlights
BEFORE
Our team tracked Global Shapers participating in the conference and opened doors to maximize their attendance. We held a briefing prior to COP27, to align on a youth agenda, facilitate collaboration and connect members to our Egyptian Hubs to ease their travel.
DURING
Our team brought Global Shapers together in Egypt. In collaboration with the World Economic Forum and Drive Agency, Global Shapers contributed to the following sessions:
1. Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders and Youth Dialogue
- This event made space for meaningful dialogue between young climate leaders and global CEOs on managing the energy crisis, corporate transparency, and inclusion of Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) and youth in decision making at the highest levels
- Hosted by the World Economic Forum and its Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders
2. Young Change-Makers Connect
- This session connected 30 Young Global Leaders and Global Shapers with the Forum’s Managing Board Director, Gim Huay Neo, to spur climate innovation, drive collaboration and build lasting relationships between young climate leaders and the Forum
- Hosted in the Climate Action Innovation Zone at COP27
3. Youth Perspectives and Call to Action
- Moderated by Natalie Pierce and Sophia Simmons, this session was part of the Forum’s COP27 Live programme and hosted on the conference’s Youth Day (watch the full replay)
- Six Shapers took on a range of pressing issues, from youth involvement in the negotiations to the need for political protection of climate refugees and urgent action on deforestation
- The session ended with a call to action for hubs to declare a climate emergency in your city (to date, Global Shapers are in 500 city-based hubs in 150 countries and territories)
4. Other Sessions and Activities
Select Global Shapers were invited to participate in additional sessions, including:
- Youth Roundtable with UN Secretary-General António Guterres
- Beyond COP27: Leaders on the Road Ahead
- Tackling Air Pollution for our Health and the Planet
- Ocean Innovators Platform Workshop
- New Paths for Climate Action in MENA
Key Messages
"We have to acknowledge the power that we have as young people to fight for the future of our planet. We have a lot of power and we need to flex it." Pato Kelesitse, Gaborone Hub
ON ADAPTATION
- Global Shapers agree that inclusive policy dialogues are needed involving IPLCs, SIDs and frontline communities to underscore how inclusive adaptation measures should be taken
- Shapers are pushing for global recognition for the equal importance of adaptation and mitigation, and want the gap for financing for adaptation in vulnerable countries to lessen
- Shapers believe that nature-based solutions must serve as a fundamental pillar for private sector investment in order to catalyze action through adaptation financing
ON FINANCE (LOSS & DAMAGES)
- Global Shapers want equitable distribution of climate finance accounting for contemporary legacies of colonialism and modern market practices that adversely impact vulnerable communities
- Shapers believe that financial mechanisms, such as carbon markets, should account for the need of entire value chains, recognizing that mechanisms should not place an additional burden on developing regions due to environmental restraints down the value chain
ON COLLABORATION
- Global Shapers support the creation of more learning opportunities and training initiatives dedicated to those from developing regions, especially LDRs, providing skills and networks to drive action
- Shapers believe that in response to rising geopolitical tensions, informal international networks must be maintained to promote climate diplomacy (grassroot initiatives like the Global Shaper Community play a vital role in maintaining global dialogue between youth leaders)
ON MITIGATION
- Global Shapers call for justice and equity to be central in the approach to mitigation
- Shapers want to see new economic development pathways that center on sustainability, resilience and wellbeing, rather than the burning of fossil fuels, to enable countries to continue to develop without pushing climate change over the brink of catastrophe and to youth, this requires fundamental shifts in current economic systems and measuring beyond GDP to what matters most
Youth Voices on the Forum's Agenda
- True success at COP27 means addressing climate justice
- Climate adaptation: the $2 trillion market the private sector cannot ignore
Youth Outcomes and Next Steps
Exposure to COP27 and its network of experts, leaders and participants, helps Global Shapers to expand their influence and desire to take action. Key outcomes from the conference include:
- Solidarity, alliances and coalitions across city-based hubs for future collaboration / action
- Project ideas to advance our community’s strategic impact area, Protecting the Planet (focused on reducing emissions, fighting drought, responding to natural disasters, preserving biodiversity, conserving nature and promoting sustainable consumption)
- A global media and public engagement campaign that amplified the importance of youth representation and participation in global climate decision-making and solution-building
- Intergenerational dialogue, action and partnerships that will be continued next year
Watch Beyond COP27: Leaders on the Road Ahead to discover key conference outcomes from business, government and civil society leaders, including Global Shaper Pato Kelesitse.
Engaging Global Shapers in your Climate Work
The Global Shapers Community is a network of 15,000 young people in over 500 city-based hubs implementing local solutions to address global challenges. Shapers are impact-oriented, collaborative, and are at the forefront of our mission to improve the state of the world.
As the only youth-led community of the World Economic Forum, we centralize efforts across Centres, Platforms and Initiatives to ensure the insights and ideas of the next generation are heard and acted upon, and intergenerational dialogue and solidarity is prioritized in our work.
We have put together this FAQ to support Forum teams with best practices for engaging Global Shapers in your initiative. For any questions, please contact Sophia Simmons, Climate & Environment, Global Shapers Community: sophia.simmons@weforum.org.