As Yugmee Gidiya stood in front of an international audience at COP29 Baku Azerbaijan to deliver a speech on rethinking the way we consume natural resources, she couldn’t help but reflect on how it all started with a tiny bottle cap.
The NYU Abu Dhabi Class of 2026 student started her journey into sustainability during her first year as a student research assistant at the NYUAD Plastic Recycle Lab. Under the mentorship of Professor Khulood Alawadi, Gidiya and the lab team explored ways to reuse plastic bottle caps to create more sustainable and usable items. The experience helped inform Gidiya of the impact of extending a product’s life cycle in a closed-circular way, giving it a new life rather than going straight into a landfill. Also known as circular economy, it’s one of the topics Gidiya discussed at COP29.
Gidiya also shared a short presentation on the apps that calculate an individual's carbon footprint. She included a live demo of an app she helped create as an intern at a fintech company.
Well Prepared for COP29
Months earlier, Gidiya flew to Egypt and attended a COP29 simulation where she debated, voted on resolutions, and collaborated on future initiatives with more than 250 other international delegates. “It combined hands-on training in climate literacy and diplomacy with the chance to participate as delegates, negotiators, and non-state actors,” Gidiya said. Together with completing a June Term course on climate change in Berlin, Gidiya felt prepared for her role at COP29.
Antonios Vouloudis, the Director of Sustainability and Stewardship at NYUAD, explained, “For NYU Abu Dhabi as an institution, being present at these global events allows us to contribute meaningfully to international sustainability dialogues, forge impactful partnerships, and solidify our position as a leader in climate action.”
Among the NYUAD students representing this commitment, Gidiya is a member of a small yet significant group at COP29. Their participation exemplifies NYUAD's dedication to empowering student voices.
