University students head to COP30 in Brazil

Benika Lal is a geography student at the University of Birmingham

Thousands of people will travel to Brazil for the global climate conference, COP30, on Monday - and among them are two students from the University of Birmingham.

Heads of state, diplomats, activists, and delegations from 200 countries will attend the event in Belém, in the Amazon rainforest.

The annual United Nations meeting takes place 10 years after the Paris climate agreement, in which countries pledged to try to restrict the rise in global temperatures to 1.5C.

Benika Lal, a geography student at the university, said: "The focus [at COP30] is on youth voices and how we can contribute to our own future. At previous COPs young people haven't always been included."

Joining Ms Lal is fourth-year medical student Hadil Touihri.

"Climate change is already having a massive impact on medical services," she said.

"It's already having an impact on the NHS, so it's a chance to share my experience."

Hadil Touihri is a medical student in her fourth year

The trip will be a return to Brazil for the two students. In the summer they spent time in the Amazonian rainforest as part of the university's "Immerse Amazonia" project.

Eight students met with Brazilian students and academics and explored both the rainforests and also the issues around climate change.

"You study the Amazon, and then you end up there," said Ms Lal.

"It's just the dream of a geography student. I can't stop bragging about it."

'Inspire the next generation'

At COP30, also known as the 30th Conference of the Parties, the two students will be there with three academics from the University of Birmingham.

Prof David Hannah, director of Birmingham Institute for Sustainability and Climate Action at the university, said the academics would "contribute to discussions at COP30, drawing on global policy recommendations that integrate cutting-edge research with climate solutions."

"By taking students with us to Belém, we aim to inspire the next generation… to engage with the challenges of climate change and help shape a more sustainable future for our planet," he said.

COP30 will run until 21 November.