University and vocational students from the Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, and the European Union are taking part in an online competition to develop practical climate solutions ahead of COP31, the United Nations’ annual climate summit.
According to a September 29 press release from the Delegation of the European Union to the Pacific, organisers expected hundreds of students to participate in Climate Hack-tion, which began on October 2 and runs through October 4.
Teams of three to five students must develop a working prototype or realistic mock-up addressing one of five climate priorities: electrification, zero waste and methane reduction, resilient cities and buildings, green industrialisation, or climate awareness.
The EU Delegation to Australia developed the initiative with its counterpart missions in New Zealand and Fiji. Participants include university and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) students.
EU Ambassador to the Pacific Barbara Plinkert said the competition would connect students across the participating regions and support their efforts to respond to climate change.
“Climate change is an existential threat to the Pacific, and the region’s youth are leading the way with profound resilience and innovation to address this challenge,” Plinkert said in the release. “Through Climate Hack-tion, the European Union is proud to connect bright minds across the Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe to transform urgent climate priorities into tangible solutions.”
Australian professionals from academia, industry, energy transition, and finance are mentoring the teams. Organisers will announce the winners at a closing ceremony on October 12, with a total prize pool exceeding A$10,000.
The competition comes ahead of the Pre-COP Leaders’ event, which the release said Fiji and Tuvalu will host from October 5 to 8. The release also said Australia is serving as President of Negotiations for COP31.
Plinkert described the student initiative as part of the EU’s broader cooperation with Pacific Island countries.
“This initiative reflects our deep, enduring partnership with Pacific Island nations as we work together to elevate the region’s voice and drive meaningful global action ahead of COP31,” she said.
Further information about the competition is available at the Climate Hack-tion website.
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