Institut Francais UAE and TotalEnergies to Host Youth Hackathon on Carbon Footprint Solutions

In June 2023, TotalEnergies and Institut Francais in the UAE will join forces to organize an exciting Youth Hackathon aimed at addressing the pressing need for solutions to improve the carbon footprint. This event will bring together 100 talented students from renowned universities such as Khalifa University, American University of Sharjah, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, Zayed University, UAE University, and School 42.

Building upon the tremendous success of the previous two editions, this year’s hackathon will empower students to explore innovative strategies to tackle the sustainability challenges of our modern world, within the favorable context of COP 28. Guided by experts from the Climate Fresk association, the participating students will have the opportunity to present their groundbreaking solutions to a distinguished jury. The team with the most comprehensive and impactful project will be honored during an awards ceremony, graced by the presence of His Excellency Nicolas Niemtchinow, the Ambassador of France to the United Arab Emirates.

At the core of this initiative lies the Climate Fresk association, which offers a collaborative, scientific, and creative game designed to deepen understanding of the climate system and the causes and consequences of its disruption. Developed by Cédric Ringenbach, the game prompts participants to unravel the cause-and-effect links between various factors and illustrate their insights through a collective fresco. Furthermore, the workshop encourages reflection on both individual and collective actions that can be implemented to combat climate change.

The Climate Fresk game comprises 42 cards, meticulously crafted based on reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Since its inception in 2018, the association has been dedicated to raising awareness about climate change, guided by the principles of humanism, respect for science, and collaboration with the corporate world. Through organizing workshops and training facilitators, Climate Fresk has successfully spread its innovative and scientifically grounded approach to understanding climate change, catering to diverse age groups ranging from children to adults. Present in 50 countries and translated into 35 languages, the association has already made significant global impact.

By bringing together the brightest minds, the Youth Hackathon aims to foster an environment of collaboration and creativity, enabling students to contribute their unique perspectives and innovative ideas towards mitigating the challenges posed by climate change.