COP30
News
BSU community represents the Cayman Islands at this year’s COP conference
Friday, 21 November, 2025November saw climate activists from across the globe come together for the most significant Climate Conference in the world. Held in Belém, Brazil, from November 6 – 21, the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) brings together negotiators, scientists, and civil society to discuss priority actions to tackle climate change, focussing on the essential efforts needed to prevent global temperature increase to over 1.5°C.
Attendees presented new national action plans and reflected on the progress of the finance pledges made at COP29. At the centre of these historical conversations were BSU student, Soleil Parkinson and BSU alumni Amber Ebanks and Dejea Lyons.
The trio attended the conference as youth delegates representing the Cayman Islands and were the sole representatives for their home country. Their key goal was clear: to create more representation and interconnection within the Caribbean and highlight the consequences of the climate crisis – ones felt most acutely by countries such as the Cayman Islands, with rising sea levels threatening to engulf coastal areas and disrupt everyday life, whilst contributing to less than 1% of greenhouse gas emissions.
The three representatives played vital roles in advocating for their home country. With access to areas where delegates could network, observe climate negotiations and engage with scientists and activists, they partook in conversations on how they can support and implement climate adaptation, climate financing, and climate justice, aptly demonstrating the power youth leaders hold in shaping the future of their countries.
Cayman Islands representative and second year BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation student, Soleil Parkinson, discussed some of her biggest takeaways from the conference. She said:
“COP30 has been an amazing learning opportunity. One of my biggest takeaways really came from meeting and connecting with other youth delegates, especially from indigenous nations, small island nations, and climate-vulnerable countries. All of us lack representation and opportunities to have our voices considered in decision making spaces, especially those of us from overseas territories, yet share a sooner fate of climate disaster.”
SoIeil applied for the opportunity to attend COP30 through the National Trust for the Cayman Islands, which receives passes from the International National Trust Organisation to send Caymanian youth representatives to COP each year. Opening opportunities for young Caymanians to have their voices heard, this endeavour is sponsored by local private sector investors, such as Caribbean Utilities Company, KPMG Cayman, and Cayman National.
Discussing her engagement in climate activism and highlights from the conference, Soleil said:
“I have been engaged in activism and conservation work for a few years now, dedicating myself to protecting natural and built heritage in Cayman, and I am very grateful to have been selected for this experience.
"I loved making connections with others and feeling their passion. From concerts performed by brothers all the way from Samoa about their culture, heritage, environment, and islander experience, to dancing with the delegates of the Indonesia pavilion, to hearing the urgent calls to action to end fossil fuels and modern-day colonisation from indigenous Amazonian women, mothers, and leaders."
Soleil credits her time at BSU for her ability to bring a fresh approach to the conference and for helping her develop effective communication. She said:
“My studies in Wildlife Conservation at BSU have enabled me to see a different perspective from other delegates. My studies have also helped me to effectively communicate scientific knowledge, taking difficult jargon and terminology and making it digestible to local communities.”
BSU graduate and Cayman Islands representative Dejea Lyons has been working with the Captain Planet Foundation for the past six years and attended the conference with the organisation as part of a delegation that could authentically represent youth voices. Discussing the highlight of her trip, she said:
"The highlight of my trip was meeting the Queen of Denmark alongside other youth leaders on the frontlines of the climate crisis who are using innovative solutions to drive progress. The moment underscored the power of collaboration across generations and the importance of investing in youth-led, locally informed solutions to create lasting and equitable climate impact."
Interested in climate change and sustainable development? Our courses in Geography, Environmental Science and Wildlife Conservation provide students with opportunities to gain an in-depth understanding of the causes and consequences of climate change and their implications for sustainable development.