Chevening climate mentorship group celebrates accomplishments

Islamabad:The British High Commission celebrated the achievements of the Chevening Climate Mentorship Scheme participants here on Monday.

Through the programme, 25 young climate activists, journalists and professionals were connected with 11 Chevening alumni who are actively working in the climate sector.

The high commission's relevant staff members said with support from their mentors and the wider group, mentees had developed podcasts, documentaries and articles on the impacts of climate change for major channels and publications.

They also organised youth climate conferences and events on climate negotiations and climate finance, and established social media platforms for women in remote communities to share their climate stories.

The high commission's relevant staff said participants mentees had been supported in submitting key policy proposals to government departments like the Ministry of Climate Change, coached through presenting at the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP24), and set up new climate fellowships and internships to foster the new talent on climate.

Alongside this, participants benefited from attending Chevening’s series of climate debates, where the British High Commission bought together prominent Chevening alumni in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad to debate key themes like green finance, urbanisation and COP29. British High Commissioner Jane Marriott CMG OBE said climate change was such a huge challenge that it could be difficult to know how to engage and make a difference.

"Linking young climate professionals with more experienced experts is a win-win situation: expertise, enthusiasm and idealism are shared to try and make a difference to help humanity. I’m confident that the connections forged this year will grow and inspire others beyond this beginning," she said.

Ahmad Kamal, a university student and climate mentee, established a toolkit with simple actions children can take to meet the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. This is now being rolled out to Beaconhouse schools across the country.

"I wanted to create something that motivated young people to take action on climate change, just as the Chevening Climate Mentorship programme was for me," he said.

Sana Munir, Chevening alumni, freelance journalist and director at the local government audit, Lahore, said participating in the Chevening Climate Change mentorship scheme as a mentor was a transformative experience. "Witnessing the passion and dedication of the group was truly inspiring," he said.