Young people in Azerbaijan embark on a climate action journey
The first cohort of youth climate envoys has been selected and trained in Baku to identify green solutions in support of the climate agenda
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“When I was a child, we often went for walks with my family to rivers and lakes,” remembers 18-year-old Leyla. During these walks, she noticed that many of the water basins around her hometown in Azerbaijan were polluted with metal, plastic bottles and packaging. She was concerned that locals were unaware of the consequences of their actions.
“This made me worried as waste is not only damaging the beautiful view but makes life difficult for all the creatures living there,” explains the young climate activist.
The problem compelled Leyla to brainstorm with her friends for possible solutions. Together, they developed a prototype of a device that can clean water basins without manpower.
“We saw that the cleaning of rivers can be dangerous for people working in polluted areas. This can pose various health risks, including the transmission of diseases to others.”
“We saw that the cleaning of rivers can be dangerous for people working in polluted areas,” says Leyla. “This can pose various health risks, including the transmission of diseases to others.”
Leyla’s prototype was recognized in the Green Technology category of a local competition, motivating her to further explore the issue. Driven by her desire to promote the use of technology for green solutions, Leyla has now applied to a programme run by UNICEF in partnership with Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Launched in the summer of 2023, the Youth Climate Envoys programme is designed to build the knowledge and skills of young people in Azerbaijan in climate action and environmental protection. The initiative focuses on cultivating young people’s skills to develop sustainable solutions and green energy initiatives, aligning with both national and global climate change agendas.
Following an open call for applications earlier this year, the first cohort of 19 climate volunteers and youth leaders, including Leyla, received comprehensive training on environment fundamentals from leading national experts. The learning sessions covered a range of topics including climate negotiations, air pollution, energy and water resources, advocacy and campaigning.
“I think if every young person will work harder to solve this problem, then we can make our future more sustainable.”
The aim of the Youth Climate Envoys programme is to raise awareness among young people to help drive climate change solutions.
Leyla hopes that her participation in the programme will encourage her peers to address the issue of climate change collectively.
“I think if every young person will work harder to solve this problem, then we can make our future more sustainable,” she says.
Global asks and local actions
The Youth Climate Envoys programme empowers young people to speak up on climate issues and propose solutions at different levels, from local communities to the global climate debate.
Two climate envoys from this year's cohort have joined the official delegation of Azerbaijan at the 28th Conference of the Parties, held in Dubai from 30 November to 12 December 2023.
Oruj Bayramov, 19, one of the youth delegates, is confident that world leaders should prioritize renewable energy, sustainable policies and global cooperation to ensure a sustainable and resilient future for future generations.
“As a youth climate envoy, I believe in the power of global collaboration to address climate change,” he says.
Oruj was prompted to apply to the envoy programme by his motivation to actively contribute to climate action. Through the programme, Oruj hopes to gain insights into effective climate advocacy strategies and networking, and build his leadership skills.
“Climate issues are crucial for young people worldwide and in Azerbaijan as they directly impact our future,” he says.
As a believer in local action, Oruj plans to initiate a community-based environmental project to teach sustainable practices across the country.
“I aspire to create entrepreneurial projects that blend sustainability, local innovations and long-term environmental resilience,” he says. “I intend to continue these initiatives, contributing to a more sustainable and empowered community.”
Educating and inspiring others
Following their training, youth climate envoys will visit urban and rural areas to educate other teenagers and young adults about climate action. Working through the network of youth clubs available in all districts of the country, they will conduct information and outreach sessions.
“It is critical that young people in Azerbaijan understand these climate risks and support policies that promote sustainability and adaptation,” says 19-year-old Gozal Humbatzada, who is another of the 19 climate volunteers and youth leaders selected for the programme.
In her academic pursuits, Gozal has developed a keen interest in green hydrogen, solar and renewable energy. The young scientist is applying artificial intelligence to predict the production potential of solar panels and to calculate costs for individual homes and farms in Azerbaijan. Her project fuelled her interest in climate issues and motivated her to apply for the open call for climate envoys.
In her new role, Gozal aims to conduct interactive sessions and educate youth about climate change, emphasizing local climate risks in Azerbaijan and encouraging young people to implement sustainable solutions in their daily lives.
“Every small step taken against climate change can create a significant impact, much like the hidden part of an iceberg,” she concludes.
