On May 31, 2022, youth from the POP family had the opportunity to speak to Dr. Adrián Fernández, Director of Iniciativa Climática de México (Mexico Climate Initiative) about policy and youth involvement for a Net-Zero Future. Dr. Adrián started the session with a very insightful presentation which talked about what Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are and their importance, as well as how countries have common but differentiated responsibilities regarding emissions. Adrián also spoke about climate transparency as key to checking each country’s progress and ambition of their mitigation goals. And finally, he discussed strategic climate litigation.
Alexia Muñoz from Mexico asked Adrian about how countries can acknowledge the current climate emergency. Adrian spoke about how the youth can make a difference not just because they are empowered, but also because of their role as voters and consumers. Adrian spoke about how youth are showing leadership and advocating that climate change is not just an environmental issue, it’s an issue that impacts the future.
Philo Magdalene asked Adrián about how countries can be encouraged to create more ambitious NDCs and how these could be adopted. Adrián spoke about how we all need to be more ambitious regarding our efforts to reduce emissions. We should introduce new policies that would not only contribute to climate change, but also support welfare and economic growth. Adrián spoke about how these movements towards zero emissions will require investments and a joint implementation of mitigation measures in developing countries using South Africa as a positive example of how developing countries can act.
Alejandra Fragoso from Mexico asked about how we can contribute to the shift towards zero emissions. Adrián spoke about how we can contribute by advancing our knowledge and understanding not only on climate change, but also on its social, economic, and welfare implications. He also spoke about being aware of our daily decisions and contributing to making more people active socially and politically.
Ana Hanhausen from Mexico asked Adrián about changes to our lifestyles to which he proposed more efficient and low-emission transportation such as public transport or walking, lowering and reducing the emissions of our energy consumption, using water more efficiently, and changing our diets to sustainable products. Ana also asked about strategic climate litigation and Adrián spoke about how many emblematic fights around the world had been won in the past few decades and how this sets a precedent for the youth and citizens across the world to raise their voice and take their countries to court for not increasing their ambition to tackling climate change problems.
Finally, Meda Malinga from Uganda asked about how technologies that exist can be implemented to reduce emissions. Adrián spoke about the role we have as consumers and how every consumption decision we make drives the direction that many companies will take. With this in mind, we need to stop making decisions based purely on subjective feelings and following advertisements. We must learn how to improve our consumption habits.
About our guest speaker
Dr. Fernandez has worked for more than 30 years on climate change and environmental policy issues in Mexico. He is a leading expert in areas such as air pollution, environmental health, and toxic substances. He has published extensively on these topics.
He is the founder and CEO of Mexico Climate Initiative (ICM) (2016-2020). A think tank, non-profit foundation that promotes climate change mitigation efforts.
Within the Ministry of Environment (SEMARNAT) he was Director General of Environmental Management and Information (1995-2000). He was Director General of Local, Regional and Global Pollution (2001-2004) and was President of the National Institute of Ecology (2005-2011).
Dr. Fernandez attended nearly 20 meetings of the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties first as a senior member of the Mexican Delegation (2001-2010) and then representing LARCI/ ICM (2011-2018).
Dr. Fernandez holds a B.S. in Biology-Ecology from the Metropolitan University, an M.S. in Environmental Technology, and a Ph.D in Environmental Science from the Imperial College. He was a visiting postdoctoral researcher at Harvard University.