Net Zero Heroes: UNICEF Celebrates young Climate superheroes at COP28

They do not wear capes, but they are real superheroes: The young Net Zero Heroes, aged between 9 to 15 years old, are inspiring role models for not only their peers but all of us, by taking action to protect the climate and save the planet. 35 children from the UAE were selected in the Net Zero Hero initiative by the Ministry of Education of the United Arab Emirates (UAE MoE) in collaboration with UNICEF Gulf Area (GAO) as part of the Greening Education Partnership.

“One day, images of forests ablaze in a distant land brought tears to my eyes. Our earth suffers, as a consequence of climate change and humanity's failure to protect it”

Issa Al Mazmi, Net Zero Hero

The Net Zero Heroes programme empowers children to actively participate in climate discourse, to contribute to protecting the environment and to advocate for more climate action. As climate change is one of the greatest threats to the young generation, they must be equipped with all the education and skills they need to face this challenge. 

Over the last months, the young climate heroes have passed an impressive journey. In the run-up to COP28, they participated in specialized training on climate issues and debated and connected with each other by sharing perspectives and working together on solutions. 

Net Zero Heroes in action on COP28  

On COP28, the Net Zero Heroes made significant contributions to climate action, by participating in various events as well as media interviews and raising their voices on children’s perspective on climate issues. In a COP simulation workshop, the children worked on the different topics of climate negotiations such as Loss & Damage, the need for supporting vulnerable communities affected by climate change, adaptation and mitigation. Divided into smaller groups, the young people discussed on these topics from the perspective of the different continents Africa, South America, Asia and Europe, and developed impressive calls to action that each group presented in a negotiation simulation afterwards.

In a celebration ceremony at the Greening Education Hub’s theatre, UNICEF GAO and the UAE Ministry of Education acknowledged the outstanding commitment of the young climate champions on the COP and beyond to save the planet and take care of their environment and communities. The participants were honored with a personal certificate, which was presented to them on stage to thunderous applause from the audience. 

“I am inspired by the knowledge of the Net Zero Heroes. These children are really the future generation, these are the agents of change.”

Eltayeb Adam, UNICEF Gulf Representative