“I Came Back with More Hope, Not Results”: A Conversation with Shahin Alom

In this interview,

Shahin, a young climate activist from Bangladesh, shares his reflections on attending last year’s UN Climate Change Conference (COP). Speaking from firsthand experience as a youth activist and also a victim of climate change-induced adversities, he highlights the gap between global discussions and local realities - and what must change to make climate conferences truly impactful. 

Era: When you went to the last COP, what do you think was the outcome of it? How beneficial was it in tackling climate change at the grassroots level? Every year, many policies are discussed, many things are talked about, but how much of that has actually been reflected at the grassroots? 

Shahin: My journey began at the grassroots - from a vulnerable community to international climate policy spaces. I have realised that our lived crises slowly move from local stories to global discussions. But honestly, as someone representing a vulnerable community, I could not bring anything very concrete back; only hope. Because each year, the situation changes: damages, vulnerabilities, and realities evolve to a new one. By the time the plans of one COP is discussed, communities have already moved towards newer threats. The solutions catching up to the challenges - is the problem here, which is often not addressed. Although keeping the conversation going on global platforms is essential and I appreciate it, most of the time, we just return home with hope, not results. 

Era: What were the meaningful discussions or outcomes from the last COP? 

Shahin: It was informally called a “financial COP.” There were disagreements - some countries withdrew from financial commitments - but a few key areas got attention: Just Transition, Nature-Based Solutions, and women’s empowerment. 

Era: Have those discussions shown any real-world impact yet? 

Shahin: These processes take time. What’s discussed in one COP may take two or three more to materialise. The last COP was a starting point. Perhaps at COP30 in Brazil, we’ll see further progress. Still, having a platform to speak matters - even if action is slow, being heard counts. 

Era: How do negotiations work? Are grassroots voices truly represented? 

Shahin: Not much and not directly. Main negotiations are between governments. Representatives from vulnerable communities can join side discussions or provide input when invited, but they’re not part of the core decision-making process. The voices of marginalised and affected people are rarely heard in the frontline of conversations. There’s space to speak, but not necessarily to be listened to. Thousands from vulnerable communities attend each COP, but most take part in side events, in the actual policymaking spaces. 

Era: Some say COP has turned into more of a “climate fair” than a serious conference. Did you feel that? 

Shahin: Absolutely. Many attend for the experience, not the purpose. That’s because there’s little accountability. Some show up, take photos, and leave, not joining the sessions at all. Those who take it seriously attend sessions and contribute to them - as all of them should. Organisations fund most trips, so it’s free for most of the attendees. If people paid from their own pockets, they’d value it more I feel. When I went, I was responsible for managing my organisation’s stall - engaging visitors, distributing readable materials, and submitting daily reports. If everyone had clear roles like this, participation would be far more meaningful. 

Era: Looking ahead, what kind of impactful solutions could future COPs deliver? 

Shahin: The accountability and financing mechanisms of developed nations must improve. The carbon tax system should be expanded, where developed countries that exceed their emission limits purchase carbon credits from less-polluting nations. Funds will continue to flow, but they’ll likely remain insufficient. And by the time they reach us, circumstances will already have changed. New cyclones will hit, new lands will be gone, new people will get affected. Creating a system that help the support reach the affected communities timely should be the priority. 

Era: What should change in future COPs to make them more effective for activists and youth like you? 

Shahin: Youth innovation should be prioritised, and young people must be included in the main negotiations, not just side events. Funding is also critical for capacity building - attending COP costs around 8–10 lakh taka, which limits participation, and accessibility is often limited to those who have the financial means and resources. Another issue is planning. In Bangladesh, preparations start just a month before COP, while other countries plan year-round - analysing outcomes, gathering data, and setting strategies. We need that same consistency and coordination, and the youth can be involved in it. 

Era: That’s an important point. Do you have any final thoughts you'd like to share? Shahin: We need continuous planning, coordination, and accountability - not just seasonal participation in conferences. Only then will these global events create real impact. 

About the Interviewee:  

Shahin Alom is a climate activist and youth leader from Shyamnagar, Satkhira, dedicated to strengthening community resilience and environmental protection in the Sundarban region. For over five years, he has worked on climate change mitigation, disaster management, forest restoration, and awareness building. As a member of YouthNet Global, he has trained over 500 coastal youths on climate action. Having collaborated with organizations such as BRAC University, UNDP, ICCCAD, and ActionAid, he brings both professional and personal experience as a climate migrant.