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Connect4Climate champion wins International Children's Peace Prize
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Kehkashan Basu (16 years old, United Arab Emirates, theme: environment) was awarded the International Children's Peace Prize at The Hague, the Netherlands. 

Kehkashan began campaigning to protect the environment at an early age. At the age of just eight, she organised an awareness-raising campaign for the recycling of waste in her neighbourhood in Dubai. In 2012, she founded her own organisation, Green Hope, which runs waste-collection, beach-cleaning and awareness-raising campaigns.

Through a series of campaigns and lectures, she has demonstrated to thousands of school and university students how important it is to care properly for the environment.

Kehkashan has addressed various international conferences and Green Hope is now active in ten countries with more than 1,000 young volunteers.

Kehkashan was nominated by her father.

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‘South Africa’s powerful renewable story needs to be told’
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Johannesburg, South Africa, 01 December 2016 – Global and local experts and leaders within the renewable energy industry believe the time to champion renewable energy is now – as South Africa’s energy mix is currently being decided and debated.

There is also an urgency to convert a general awareness and understanding about renewable energy into tangible action.

These were some of the key issues teased out and discussed at the U.S. Embassy Pretoria’s Energy21: Exchange Hub on telling the renewable energy story differently, which wrapped today.

Madiba's message on sustainability.

The event, which drew over 60 people working in the renewable energy sector, focused on tactics for telling the renewable energy story differently in South Africa. Participants considered how to best reach, touch, inform and convert new audiences, which is especially relevant following the announcement of South Africa’s updated Integrated Resource Plan 2020-2030 and the resounding success of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Programme (REIPPPP).

“South Africa is at the beginning of a very important renewable energy journey,” said Elizabeth McKay, Minister Counselor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy.  “Finding new champions of renewable energy and encouraging more action will require us to shift the renewable energy narrative,” she added.  

Driving this message home at Energy21: Exchange Hub – a partnership between the U.S. Embassy South Africa, World Bank’s Connect4Climate and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) – were communications, climate change and renewables experts, including the World Bank’s Max Edkins, Green Cape’s Aman Baboolal, FirstRand Limited’s Madeleine Ronquest and Intellidex’s Colin Anthony.

“South Africa’s renewables story is truly inspirational. We are transitioning towards a renewable future, which opens up opportunities.  By communicating more, we strengthen the possibility of a renewables-focused future. It’s also the most pressing challenge of our time and our generation’s time,” said Edkins, Climate Change and Communications Expert at the World Bank’s Connect4Climate programme.

Max Edkins, Connect4Climate. Photo credits: ENERGY21

David Shelby, Director of Public Engagement at the U.S. State Department, said: “In the last five years South Africa has made tremendous headway for renewables – as evidenced by the highly successful REIPPP programme roll-out.  This, in turn, has played an important part in building the economy and job creation. Now is the time to start telling this story and to communicate the benefits.”

Energy21: Exchange Hub saw communications experts paired with current and future leaders in the private sector, non-government organizations, and government who work on renewable energy policy and promotion to partake in strategic discussions and training.

Through discussing tactics – ranging from strategies for creating compelling, sticky content, reaching rural communities, designing communications campaigns to data visualization – influential industry minds explored new solutions for achieving greater awareness and public support for the renewable energy movement.

ENERGY21 participants share their ideas on how to tell the renewable energy story differently. Photo credits: ENERGY21

One of the main messages about renewable energy: it is no longer as expensive as people think.

Dr. Tobias Bischof-Niemz, Manager of CSIR’s Energy Centre, said solar and wind energy cost competitiveness studies build a strong economic case and sound positioning for renewables. 

This is especially important at a time when the Department of Energy’s updated Integrated Resource Plan will be discussed to determine the country’s energy mix structure.  “Building new energy capacity from wind and solar is less costly than coal. Additionally, these also offer CO2 and water reductions,” said Bischof-Niemz.

“While educating the public on renewables must be grounded in science, there is also the need to work together to create public awareness on renewables, to stimulate community interest – in both urban and rural areas – and engage meaningfully.”

This sentiment was echoed by Edkins who believes that success lies in developing strong partnerships to drive a focused message on renewables. Connect4Climate is already testimony of what can be achieved.

Established partnerships with stakeholders, ranging from non-governmental organisations to the United Nations, have helped to harness Connect4Climate’s mandate of combating climate change through actions driven by solutions.

Bulding bridges and establishing partnerships to better combat climate change. Photo credits: ENERGY21

The conversations and outcomes from Energy21: Exchange Hub will continue with the intention of creating a strong and connected network within the renewable energy and communications industry. Participants acknowledged their shared passion for and commitment to telling the renewable energy story differently, leading the way in creating narratives that touches the hearts and minds of all South Africans.

An agreed Action Plan by all Energy21: Exchange Hub participants will continue its momentum throughout 2017.

However, change really begins with each participant and their will to drive home change in their renewables environment.  “For us, success is for each person within the renewables industry to go home and implement one idea from Energy21 in their respective environments,” said Shelby. 

Celebrating Youth Voices at COP22
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Connect4Climate joined the world leaders at the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP22) in Marrakesh last month in declaring fighting climate change is an urgent duty.

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November 8
Description

<p><strong><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-drop-green.png" style="width: 15px; height: 10px;" />&nbsp;&nbsp;Film4Climate trailer at the opening of the Global Climate Action Launch Event: global action towards achievements of National Determined Contributions&nbsp;(NDCs).</strong></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-Youth-COP22-1.png" /></strong></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-Youth-COP22-2.png" /></strong></p>

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November 10
Description

<p><strong style="font-size: 13px;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-drop-green.png" style="width: 15px; height: 10px;" />​&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong><strong>UNFCCC Young and Future Generations Day, High-Level Intergenerational Enquiry</strong></p>

<p>Connect4Climate highlighted its <em>Youth4Climate </em>initiative to empower young people to accelerate climate action.&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-Youth-COP22-3.png" /></p>

<p><strong style="font-size: 13px;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-drop-green.png" style="width: 15px; height: 10px;" />​ </strong><span style="font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;</span><strong>Youth Award Ceremony for Global Youth Video, Film4Climate, and Minecraft Competitions </strong></p>

<p>The award ceremony highlighted the winners of <a href="http://newsroom.unfccc.int/unfccc-newsroom/winners-of-cop22-youth-clima…; target="_blank"><em>Global Youth Video Competition</em></a> and the <a href="http://connect4climate.org/article/film4climate-competition-winners-ann…; target="_blank"><em>Film4Climate Competition</em></a>, as well as the finalists of the <em>Connect4Climate Sustainable Worlds on Minecraft</em> contest. The winning films were showcased, demonstrating the power of young people to act as key players in reaching innovative and ambitious solutions on climate change all over the world.</p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-Youth-COP22-4.png" /></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-Youth-COP22-5.png" /></p>

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November 12
Description

<p><strong style="font-size: 13px;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-drop-green.png" style="width: 15px; height: 10px;" />&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong><strong>Climate Change Communication, China Pavilion</strong></p>

<p>Giulia Braga presented the Connect4Climate Program as <em>Engaging the Creative Industry for Climate Action</em></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><em><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-Youth-COP22-6.png" /></em></p>

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November 13
Description

<p><strong style="font-size: 13px;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-drop-green.png" style="width: 15px; height: 10px;" />&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong><strong>&ldquo;Film4Climate: Empowering Global Climate Action&rdquo; </strong></p>

<p>The day-long event was dedicated to celebrate the power of cinema and global youth&rsquo;s creativity in encouraging positive climate action.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://connect4climate.org/article/film4climate-competition-winners-ann…; target="_blank">The winners of the Film4Climate Global Video competition</a> were celebrated. The event featured special screenings of Leonardo DiCaprio&rsquo;s newly released climate change documentary &ldquo;Before the Flood&rdquo;, as well as a special preview of National Geographic&rsquo;s &ldquo;Years of Living Dangerously &ndash; Season 2&rdquo; and energy documentary &ldquo;Power.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The event also included high-profile panel discussions, <a href="http://earthtomarrakech.org/">Earth to Marrakech</a> announcement by UN Foundation, and the <a href="http://www.earthday.org/earth-day-network-cop22-marrakech/&quot; target="_blank">Global Climate Literacy Partnership</a> announcement by Earth Day Network and Connect4Climate.&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-Youth-COP22-7.png" /></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-Youth-COP22-8.png" /></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-Youth-COP22-9.png" /></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-Youth-COP22-10.png" /></p>

<p><strong style="font-size: 13px;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-drop-green.png" style="width: 15px; height: 10px;" />&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong><strong>Film4Climate at Climate Champions Gala Dinner </strong></p>

<p><strong>Dr. Hakima El Haite</strong>, Delegate Minister in Charge of Environment, Climate Champion, Morocco, awarded the <a href="https://youtu.be/Ciz0rO9_VBo&quot; target="_blank"><em>Special MENA Prize for the Film4Climate</em> competition</a> to the young filmmaker selected by the jury.</p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-Youth-COP22-11.png" /></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-Youth-COP22-12.png" /></p>

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November 14
Description

<p><strong style="font-size: 13px;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-drop-green.png" style="width: 15px; height: 10px;" />&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong><strong>Film4Climate winners at Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ), German Pavilion</strong></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-Youth-COP22-13.png" /></strong></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-Youth-COP22-14.png" /></strong></p>

<p><strong style="font-size: 13px;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-drop-green.png" style="width: 15px; height: 10px;" />&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong><strong>&ldquo;Sustainability in education&rdquo; panel at UNESCO Pavilion </strong></p>

<p>Lucia Grenna presented the outcomes of education-related activities, including the <em>#Teach4Climate Back-to-School</em> campaign and the <em>Sport4Climate</em> <em>#105C campaign</em> during the Olympics, and launched the <em>Global Climate Literacy Partnership</em></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><em><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-Youth-COP22-15.png" /></em></p>

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November 15
Description

<p><strong style="font-size: 13px;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-drop-green.png" style="width: 15px; height: 10px;" />&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong><strong>SDG Digital Media Zone in the as part of Earth To Marrakech</strong></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-Youth-COP22-16.png" /></strong></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-Youth-COP22-17.png" /></strong></p>

<p><strong style="font-size: 13px;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-drop-green.png" style="width: 15px; height: 10px;" />&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong><strong>&ldquo;Building Momentum for Climate Action: A Discussion with the Momentum for Change 2016 Award Winners.&rdquo;</strong></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-Youth-COP22-18.png" /></strong></p>

<p>[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaQ4atkZ3yQ&amp;t=1s]</p&gt;

<p><strong style="font-size: 13px;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-drop-green.png" style="width: 15px; height: 10px;" />&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong><strong>Italian pavilion, Live stream with NGOs, participation of DG of the Ministry of the Environment</strong></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-Youth-COP22-19.png" /></strong></p>

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November 16
Description

<p><strong style="font-size: 13px;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-drop-green.png" style="width: 15px; height: 10px;" />&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong><strong>SDG Digital Media Zone: Film4Climate panel in the as part of Earth To Marrakech</strong></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-Youth-COP22-20.png" /></strong></p>

<p><strong style="font-size: 13px;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-drop-green.png" style="width: 15px; height: 10px;" />&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong><strong>Digital Hour as part of Earth To Marrakech</strong></p>

<p>[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRVS6VXvHaM]</p&gt;

<p><strong style="font-size: 13px;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-drop-green.png" style="width: 15px; height: 10px;" />&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong><strong>Momentum for Change Flagship</strong></p>

<p>In the context of highlighting the implementation of transformative climate actions through the <a href="http://unfccc.int/secretariat/momentum_for_change/items/6214.php&quot; target="_blank"><em>Momentum for Change</em> initiative,</a> Connect4Climate presented as a partner at the awards ceremony, showcased Film4Climate videos on climate action and solutions and highlighted innovation in the Private Sector as a key solutions driver. Fernando Meirelles and Spencer Sharp attended.&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-Youth-COP22-21.png" style="width: 975px; height: 646px;" /></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-Youth-COP22-22.png" style="width: 975px; height: 646px;" /></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="https://www.connect4climate.org/sites/default/files/upload/C4C-Youth-CO…; style="width: 975px; height: 644px;" /></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="https://www.connect4climate.org/sites/default/files/upload/C4C-Youth-CO…; style="width: 975px; height: 635px;" /></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="https://www.connect4climate.org/sites/default/files/upload/C4C-Youth-CO…; style="width: 975px; height: 638px;" /></p>

<p><strong style="font-size: 13px;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/legacy/C4C-drop-green.png" style="width: 15px; height: 10px;" />&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong><strong>&ldquo;Light to Live&rdquo; Concert</strong></p>

<p><img alt="" src="https://www.connect4climate.org/sites/default/files/upload/C4C-Youth-CO…; style="width: 975px; height: 728px;" /></p>

<p><img alt="" src="https://www.connect4climate.org/sites/default/files/upload/C4C-Youth-CO…; style="width: 975px; height: 733px;" /></p>

<p><img alt="" src="https://www.connect4climate.org/sites/default/files/upload/C4C-Youth-CO…; style="width: 975px; height: 729px;" /></p>

<p><img alt="" src="https://www.connect4climate.org/sites/default/files/upload/C4C-Youth-CO…; style="width: 975px; height: 439px;" /></p>
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Digital Media Zone at Legal Week

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Join the Digital Media Zone at the World Bank, December 5 - 9, 2016.

Click here for online registration

Online app provides comprehensive details

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COP22 Social Media Engagement
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So far, generated 943,047 tweets about the conference.

United Nations was the most influential participant.

#parisagreement and #climateaction were the top trends.

Check the rest of the analytics here.

 

 

 

YOUNG Award: Finalists announced
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Film4Climate has released the shortlist of the finalists for the Young award, which recognizes the next generation of talented young filmmakers.

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Header
PSA
Description

<h3>&quot;Are you ready to change the world?&quot; by Laura Duquette, Canada</h3>

<p>[video:https://youtu.be/74Nn-0G3nzU]</p&gt;

<h3>&quot;Change for the Better&quot; by Leanne&nbsp;Choo, Singapore</h3>

<p>[video:https://youtu.be/ee6cerjXUDU]</p&gt;

<h3>&quot;Endangered porpoises&quot; by Lula Chou, USA</h3>

<p>[video:https://youtu.be/0dGR7a2VZKY]</p&gt;

<h3>&quot;My Lagoon&quot; by Andrea Aspront, Mexico</h3>

<p>[video:https://youtu.be/gcTV_9iYLek]</p&gt;

<h3>&quot;Pale Blue Dot&quot; by Antonio Heitor Cantão, Brazil</h3>

<p>[video:https://youtu.be/V2NuDrT_PJk]</p&gt;

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Short Film
Description

<h3>&quot;A Sun at Night&quot; by Rameshwar Bhatt, India</h3>

<p>[video:https://youtu.be/BB7qWDXBr_w​]</p>

<h3>&quot;Carbon Funk&quot; by the Maui Huliau Foundation, USA</h3>

<p>[video:https://youtu.be/k_N3DtQy4AQ​]</p>

<h3>&quot;Caring for the Atmosphere&quot; by the Mants&#39;ase Children&#39;s Home Mohanuoa Chabane, Lesotho</h3>

<p>[video:https://youtu.be/bj6Ff5MJurY​]</p>

<h3>&quot;Discovering Alaska&quot; by Simon Geisker, USA</h3>

<p>[video:https://youtu.be/kUiT6iVndUo​]</p>

<h3>&quot;Kiribati&#39;s Dance - Decrease Beef Consumption&quot; by Seoyeon Shin, South Korea</h3>

<p>[video:https://youtu.be/QdUJ5n9IQms​]</p>

Connect4Climate is a World Bank Group Multi-Donor Trust Fund powered by Italy’s Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development that drives climate action through advocacy, partnerships, and creative communications.

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