UICCA Unveils Winning Climate Solutions From Youth At Climate Call Grand Finale

The UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) recently revealed the winners of the first year of Climate Call, an AI-driven platform aimed at amplifying young voices in climate action, particularly from marginalised communities. During the Grand Finale, attended by UICCA's President and CEO H.H. Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, three projects were recognised for their innovative ideas.

Sheikha Shamma remarked, "Climate Call began as a simple question: how can we use AI to make climate conversations more accessible and inclusive. Fast forward to today and we have three stand-out concepts developed by talented young people, each with great potential for tangible positive impact on our world." She emphasised the importance of empowering youth to contribute to climate solutions.

The winning projects included "RenewComm," a community-led wind energy initiative spearheaded by Zainab Bie, Iqra Afreen, and Kaif Ali. Another project, "Trash to Treasure," led by Marcellin Premila Jerome, focuses on using agricultural waste to improve food security. Lastly, "AquaPalm," presented by Nour Abdelrahamn and Sana Eid from Khalifa University, aims to convert date palm waste into sustainable water purification solutions.

Dr. Afkar Hilles, a judge for the Food Security challenge and an expert from the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), stated, "Our global food system lies at the heart of the climate crisis. From agricultural practices to food waste, the industry has a substantial impact on the planet's ecosystems, and the solutions presented here highlight the urgency of change."

The panel of judges included Dr. Afkar Hilles; Athbeh Hamdan AlShehhi from Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA); and Angela Homsi of Ignite Power. Each winner received AED25,000 per project in their respective categories. Their stories will be shared on The Climate Tribe storytelling platform.

Climate Call provided a collaborative environment for young participants to propose and develop their ideas. This initiative is part of UICCA's grassroots legacy project from COP28, aligning with the UAE's goal to host an inclusive COP that prioritises both people and planet in addressing climate issues.

The event highlighted practical solutions that empower communities across different backgrounds to tackle climate challenges effectively. The quality of these grassroots initiatives underscores the need for diverse voices in climate discussions.

With inputs from WAM