Voices for Change #1: From Youth Activism to Action by Émer Rafferty

Insights from a Net Zero project placement engineer on her journey from global Climate Activism to working on real world decarbonisation technology.

I’ve attended COPs, met world leaders, and heard their speeches. One theme always rises to the top: “We will” or “We need to” take climate action. Yet the promised action often remains just that—a promise. I knew early on that I didn’t want my career to be shaped by “we need to” statements. I was looking for the “we are” approach, a commitment to tangible, present-tense action. This pursuit of active impact led me straight to CATAGEN.

My name is Émer Rafferty and I’m a 21-year-old chemical engineering student committed to a career in renewable energy. Like so many young environmentalists, I found my calling in climate action after watching David Attenborough’s work. Witnessing the degradation of our natural world left me in awe and deeply concerned. Why wasn’t more being done to stop this destruction?

Since then, I’ve committed myself to environmental advocacy. I attended COP26 as a reporter and One Step Greener Ambassador, and COP27 as a reporter. I was named to the North American Association for Environmental Education’s 30 Under 30 list and have given talks to politicians, business leaders, companies, and communities. Yet I felt a growing desire to move beyond awareness, to prevent emissions directly and make a tangible impact.

This is what makes CATAGEN the perfect fit. The work here is groundbreaking and genuinely prevents carbon from entering the atmosphere—direct action, not just ambition. The hands-on focus on reducing emissions aligns perfectly with what I’ve sought in my climate advocacy journey. Here at CATAGEN, every team member, whether they recognize it or not, is a climate activist. We are working daily to clean and decarbonise the air—if that isn’t climate action, I don’t know what is.

“Here at CATAGEN, every team member, whether they recognize it or not, is a climate activist.”

CATAGEN brings my two passions—climate advocacy and engineering—into perfect alignment. As part of the BECCS (Bioenergy and Carbon Capture Storage) project, more specifically CATAGEN’s BIOHGEN technology, I’m working on converting organic waste streams into biohydrogen using thermochemical reactions. In the past eight weeks, I’ve been immersed in multiple facets of engineering: brainstorming solutions, working hands-on with technology, and writing technical reports. It’s been a constant learning experience.

Being part of the CATAGEN team has shown me what’s possible when a group of motivated, determined individuals comes together with a common purpose, and for us it is to clean and decarbonise the air. If we are to have any chance of limiting global warming to 1.5˚C above preindustrial levels, this approach—shared passion, relentless motivation, and the drive to act—is what we need.

Choosing sustainability as a non-negotiable priority doesn’t limit your career; it empowers it.

If, like me, you’re deeply concerned about the climate and biodiversity crisis, your job is one of the greatest ways you can make an impact.

Building a career around a cause you believe in is one of the most rewarding decisions you can make.

With a young, driven workforce, Gen Z is leading the charge toward a healthier, cleaner planet. I am proud to be a part of CATAGEN, a company that embodies everything I aspire to be: impactful, fearless, and driven by purpose.

To me, CATAGEN, and everything in it, is Activism in Action.

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About CATAGEN Voices: 

“Voices for Change” is a blog series authored by members of CATAGEN’s team, offering a unique glimpse into the people behind the innovation here. It provides a platform for them to share their insights and experiences on the climate crisis, sustainability, and climate activism. Each post introduces a fresh perspective, enriching the conversation around meaningful climate action and decarbonisation.