Antonio Diaz Aranda: The young engineer elevating youth voices in climate issues

Referring to himself as an “imperfect environmentalist”, this young Mexican advocate has dedicated himself to creating positive change through learning and raising awareness about climate change, climate action and sustainability. Now, Antonio Diaz Aranda is joining the UNESCO Green Citizens initiative as an Influencer, using his platform and insights to spread awareness about citizen-led environmental projects worldwide. 

In 2021, Antonio graduated with honours from the University of Monterrey, with a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering, international experience, and a host of awards for innovative projects under his belt. Despite his engineering degree, he didn't feel passionate or comfortable about working on the shop floor. So, he decided to change his career pathway to focus on sustainability and climate change. From supporting companies with ESG & Sustainability strategy, to championing climate education and working with governments on climate policies and financial mechanisms, Antonio has gained diverse experience in the field throughout the years. Amongst his achievements; he has been a recipient of the 2021 MIT Supply Chain Excellence Award, a lead negotiator for Mexico at COP27 and SB58; an advisor for Mexico at COP28 and SB60, represented Mexico at the 13^th UNESCO Youth Forum, and is part of the Youth UNESCO Climate Action Network (YoU-CAN) steering committee. 

Antonio's advice is to always try new things, and always continue learning. He is committed to gaining as much knowledge as he can about issues before getting involved in them, through courses, events and various groups. Now, he draws on his vast experiences and insights, including volunteering as a mentor at the Climate Reality Project, to spread the word about climate change and, more importantly, climate solutions. 

His main interests are climate empowerment and raising awareness about environmental concepts and getting involved in climate action. Having represented his country in climate decisions multiple times at such a young age, Antonio believes that elevating the voices of young people regarding climate questions is crucial, as many of them are driving action and innovation for a sustainable future. With UNESCO Green Citizens, he will not only use his voice to share information about local solutions, but also UNESCO’s expert climate research in an accessible and actionable way for young audiences.