From Bocconi Classrooms to COP28, by Way of Trento

It all started with their work during the Dolomite Conference in October. The conference on climate and ecological transition held in Trento was organized by the Think Tank Vision, in collaboration with AXA Italia and Autostrade del Brennero. Cecilia, Chandra and their classmates from the Bocconi and Politecnico di Milano MSc in Transformative Sustainability never thought, though, that they would have the opportunity to present the findings of their work in front of an international audience at COP28, the Conference of the Parties that just ended in Dubai.

"We were asked to participate in the Dolomite Conference," says Chandra Carrara, a student in her second year in the MSc led by Bocconi Program Director, Francesco Perrini. "Over the summer, 12 of us worked in groups on four of the topics that would be addressed at the Conference. We produced position papers on measuring environmental sustainability; accountability and representation of young people in climate change; the impact of cities; and the social impact of the energy transition." At the Conference, the four papers were discussed in front of an audience of experts, after which the students reworked their documents. "This all resulted in a Manifesto with eight recommendations on the issues discussed during the Dolomite Conference," adds Cecilia Guelfi.

The Transformative Sustainability class group thought their work would end there. Instead, the document gained so much traction that Chandra and Cecilia, along with Luca Salvetti and – participating remotely from Italy – Davide Carrara, were invited to present their document at the Italian Pavilion at COP28 in Dubai. Thus, on 8 December – the day dedicated to young people at the Conference of the Parties – Bocconi students attended what is considered the most important forum on environmental issues. "It was a wonderful experience to be able to present our work during such an important event that was also live on the website of the Ministry of the Environment," explains Cecilia. "When I started at Bocconi, I never thought I would be able to participate in such an event, and that the University would bring our work to the COP." Cecilia, Chandra and Luca were among the youngest attendees, and "everyone thought we were representing our employer, not that we were university students," adds Chandra.

Despite being in Dubai only a few hours, in addition to presenting their Manifesto, the Bocconi students representing their MSc class group attended as many events as possible, in order to absorb the greatest amount of information and ideas from the Conference's side events: "We arrived with a very open mind on COP28," Chandra continues. "It is a huge assembly, with very tangible events and others organized in a somewhat superficial way. The best part is being able to see the mix of cultures and points of view and compare them. I fondly remember, for example, a conversation we had with an Icelandic teacher who founded an NGO," she says. "The mix of people, cultures and backgrounds was definitely the most interesting aspect of the COP," adds Cecilia.