High-Level Event: Uniting for Climate Education - Further, Faster, Together through Partnerships
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Connect4Climate and Alphaomega awarded World's Best Sustainability Event with #All4TheGreen
The #All4TheGreen project, spearheaded by the World Bank Group's Connect4Climate and the Italian Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea, and organized by the agency, Alphaomega, has just won ‘World's Best Event for Sustainable Innovation, 2017’. Awarded by Bea World - International Festival of Events and Live Communication, the ceremony took place in Porto, Portugal, on November 20. The Italian project beat 296 other events from 27 countries.
#All4TheGreen was a set of public initiatives organized in collaboration with civic, cultural and academic organizations, environmental consortiums and associations, as well as dozens of companies to support the appeal for an economy that highlights efficiency saving and the re-use of resources. Open to all, #All4TheGreen week at the end of May 2017 in Bologna, Italy, featured more than 80 events - conferences, concerts, exhibitions, and film projections - to connect the G7 Environment Meetings being held under the auspices of the G7 Italian presidency to a global audience. As a result of the initiative, citizens had the chance to engage in environmental protection activities, generating debate, exchange of ideas and, above all, an aggregation of opinion and action.
The prize is a significant recognition for the integrated communication agency founded 16 years ago in Rome by Alberto Cassone, Giovanni Cassone, and Enrico Conforti. Since then, Alphaomega has organized events, initiatives, and projects around the world for dozens of institutions and companies, and has more than 80 employees and consultants worldwide. The prize also recognizes Alphaomega's competence regarding sustainability.
The award is dedicated to the memory of Lucia Grenna, founder of the Connect4Climate program and soul of the All4TheGreen initiative, following her premature death in June. "On this occasion of deep satisfaction for our team, let us remember a unique woman who gave us her greatest support. A special thank you to Minister Gian Luca Galletti and his communication team," Alberto Cassone, partner of Alphaomega, said.
"Alphaomega expresses its utmost gratitude to the BEA World Festival 2017 jury for its presentation of a Festival that reviews the best creative proposals from around the world," he added.
BEA World - International Festival of Events and Live Communications is an international competition for communication agencies from Europe, Russia, the United States, Canada, China, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.
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Bonn Climate Conference Becomes Launch-Pad for Higher Ambition
Momentum Builds With New Financial Commitments on Insurance and Forests to Scaled-Up Climate Action by Governments, Cities and Companies
Nations agreed today to launch the next steps towards higher climate action ambition before 2020 at the close of the annual UN climate conference held in the German city of Bonn.
Backed by a wide range of positive announcements from governments, cities, states, regions, companies and civil society, delegates from over 190 countries agreed to a 12-month engagement focusing on ‘Where are we, where do we want to go and how do we get there?’
The ‘Talanoa Dialogue’, inspired by the Pacific concept of constructive discussion, debate and story-telling, will set the stage in Poland in 2018 for the revising upwards of national climate action plans needed to put the world on track to meet pre-2020 ambition and the long-term goals of the two-year old Paris Agreement.
The Paris Agreement's central goal is keep the global average temperature rise below 2 Celsius and as close as possible to 1.5—the lower limit is deemed crucial for survival by many small islands and vulnerable countries.
Over one degree of this rise has already occurred since pre-industrial times. The current set of national climate action plans, known as NDCs, are still heading for a path towards 3 Celsius, possibly more.
Frank Bainimarama, President of the conference also known as ‘COP23’ and Prime Minister of Fiji, said:
“I’m very pleased that COP23 has been such a success, especially given the challenge to the multilateral consensus for decisive climate action. We have done the job we were given to do, which is to advance the implementation guidelines of the Paris Agreement and prepare for more ambitious action in the Talanoa Dialogue of 2018.”
Frank Bainimarama, Fijian Prime Minister, COP23 President
“There has been positive momentum all around us. And Fiji is especially gratified how the global community has embraced our concept of a Grand Coalition for greater ambition linking national governments with states and cities, civil society, the private sector and ordinary men and women around the world,” he said.
“We leave Bonn having notched up some notable achievements, including our Ocean Pathway, the historic agreement on agriculture and others on a Gender Action Plan and Indigenous People’s Platform. We have also secured more funding for climate adaptation and launched a global partnership to provide millions of climate-vulnerable people the world over with affordable access to insurance.”
“I want to warmly thank our hosts, the German Government and the UNFCCC, as well as the residents of Bonn. We brought our Fijian Bula Spirit to COP and it’s been wonderful how people responded. Vinaka vakalevu. Let’s all leave rededicating ourselves to more ambitious action on climate change by moving Further, Faster, Together in the year ahead,” said Mr. Bainimarama.
A report launched by the International Renewable Energy Agency during the conference has found that many countries now have higher renewable energy targets than are stated in their national climate action plans or NDCs – indicating that in some countries, at least in respect to green energy, higher ambition is already being locked in A special scientific report, produced for the conference by Future Earth and the Earth League, says renewable energy expansion around the globe is doubling around every 5.5 years--consistent with the complete de-carbonization of the energy sector by mid-centuryPatricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the UN Climate Change secretariat which hosted the conference with support from the Government of Germany, said: “COP23 in Bonn came against a backdrop of severe and unprecedented natural calamities that hit homes, families and economies in Asia, the Caribbean and the Americas – these reminded us of the urgency of our collective task.”
Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the UN Climate Change secretariat
“The conference has, with the adoption of the Talanoa Dialogue, delivered a launch-pad that can take us to that next stage of higher ambition. It has also advanced the implementation guidelines of the Paris Agreement so that by 2018 it can truly support sustained international cooperation and national efforts to realize a more secure, prosperous and better world for all,” she said.
“But Bonn 2017 did more than that – it underlined that support for the Paris Agreement is strong and that the journey upon which the world has embarked is an unstoppable movement supported by all sectors of society, across all parts of the globe.” said Ms Espinosa.
With so many climate action pledges and initiatives, a further strong message from all sides at COP23 was the growing need to coordinate efforts across policy, planning and investment to ensure that every cent invested and every minute of work contributed results in a much greater impact and boosts ambition under the national climate plans.
COP23 Uniting for Climate Action. Photo Credits: Max Thabiso Edkins/Connect4Climate
Outcomes and Highlights of the 2017 UN Climate Conference
The COP23 President and the UN Climate Change Executive Secretary outlined some highlights from the 2017 UN climate conference as a result of the negotiations; the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action and the myriad of High-Level and other events.
Long-term Finance – Countries welcomed progress but also urged greater efforts to deliver the agreed USD 100 Billion per year by 2020 for support to developing countries to take climate action Adaptation Fund Exceeds 2017 Target – The target for funding this year was $80 million, but funding announcements including by Germany and Italy has exceed this by over $13 million taking the total to $93.3 million Historic Breakthrough in Agriculture – there was an historic political breakthrough in respect to agriculture that may lead to a faster and more coordinated response by nations to address a sector that is the second biggest emitter after energy The Government of Norway, the multinational company Unilever and other partners announced a $400 million fund to support more efficient agriculture, smallholder farmers and sustainable forest management Gender Action Plan – The crucial role of women in combating climate change will be formally supported through the plan. This is important given that women tend to be especially vulnerable to climate change impacts and should not be excluded from decision-making regarding actions and solutions. The Plan aims to make women part of all climate change projects and decisions internationally and nationally Local Communities and Indigenous People’s Platform – A political and practical achievement that aims to support the full and equal role of indigenous people in climate action while recognizing the responsibility of governments to respect the rights of indigenous peoples in these decisions Launch of the Ocean Pathway Partnership – It aims, by 2020, to strengthen action and funding that links climate change action with healthy oceans including through the UN Climate Change process and via more explicit aims and ambitions in national climate action plans Launch of Network of Pacific Island Journalists - Ten award-winning media from Fiji, Samoa; Solomon Islands; Papua New Guinea; Tonga and Vanuatu, attending the conference with funding from the Government of Germany and support from the Deutsche Welle Academy and UN Climate Change, announced the formation of a new association aimed at strengthening climate media reporting across the Pacific InsuResilience Initiative announced a new Global Partnership and an additional $125 million from the Government of Germany to support its aim of providing affordable cover to 400 more million poor and vulnerable people by 2020 Launch of Fiji Clearing House for Risk Transfer – A new online platform using artificial intelligence to help vulnerable countries find affordable insurance and solutions to avoid climate risk. The governments of Germany and the United Kingdom along with other partners announced $153 million to expand programs to fight climate change and deforestation in the Amazon The European Investment Bank formally announced $75 million for a new $405 million investment programme by the Water Authority of Fiji to strengthen resilience of water distribution and wastewater treatment for close to 300,000 people living in and around the capital Suva. America’s Pledge brings together private and public sector leaders to ensure the US remains a global leader in reducing emissions and delivers the country’s climate goals under the Paris Agreement The Green Climate Fund and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development announced over $37 million of GCF grant financing to the $243 million Saïss Water Conservation Project to assist Morocco with more resilient agriculture Powering Past Coal Alliance brings together 25 countries, states and regions to accelerate the rapid phase-out of coal and support affected workers and communities to make the transition. The UN Development Programe, Germany, Spain and EU launched a EUR 42 million NDC Support Programme to assist countries deliver on the Paris Agreement The existing NDC Partnership announced the establishment of a new regional hub to support implementation of national climate action plans or NDCs in the Pacific 13 countries and the International Energy Agency announced EUR 30 million to the “IEA Clean Energy Transitions Programme” to support clean energy transitions around the world Launch of New Small Island Developing State (SIDS) Health initiative – The World Health Organization, in collaboration with the UN Climate Change secretariat and Fijian COP23 Presidency, announced a special initiative to protect people living in SIDS from the health impacts of climate change. Its goal is, by 2030, to triple the levels of international financial support to climate and health in those countries The Bonn-Fiji Commitment was made - a commitment to action adopted by over 300 local and regional leaders to deliver the Paris Agreement at all levels, supported with 20 initiatives including those focusing on Africa, islands, post-industrial cities and climate reporting standards. Banner and thumbnail photo credits to Max Thabiso Edkins/Connect4Climate
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Concrete Climate Action Commitments at COP23
As the UN Climate Change Conference comes down to the last day and governments work to complete the final negotiation decisions, it’s good to be reminded of the new wave of climate action that has been announced during COP23 from countries, cities, states, regions, business and civil society.
The common message from all sides at this conference has been that action to get on track towards the objectives of the Paris Climate Change Agreement and to ultimately achieve the 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals is urgent, time is really running out and everyone simply must do much better together to drive climate action further and faster ahead now.
Video also available on Vimeo
Above all, this means rapidly raising the current global ambition to act on climate change that is captured in the full set of national climate action plans (NDCs) which sit at the heart of the Agreement.
The following list includes announcements made during COP23 to drive us further, faster and together to this destination.
Financing Climate Action
Major announcements included funds to support the poorest and most vulnerable, whose plight has been brought into sharp perspective by this year’s extreme weather
InsuResilience Initiative additional USD 125 mln from Germany to support provision of insurance to 400 more million poor and vulnerable people by 2020. A G20 and V20 (vulnerable nations) partnership Adaptation Fund exceeds 2017 Target – Germany’s contribution of 50 million euros and Italy’s contribution of 7 million euros means the Fund has now surpassed its 2017 target by over USD 13 million and stands at a total equivalent of USD 93.3 million dollars Norway & Unilever USD 400 mln fund for public and private investment in more resilient socioeconomic development. Investing in business models that combine investments in high productivity agriculture, smallholder inclusion and forest protection Germany and Britain to provide combined USD 153 mln to expand programs to fight climate change and deforestation in Amazon rainforest European Investment Bank will provide USD 75 million for a new USD 405 million investment programme by the Water Authority of Fiji. The scheme will strengthen resilience of water distribution and wastewater treatment following Cyclone Winston, the world’s second strongest storm ever recorded, which hit Fiji in February 2016 Green Climate Fund and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development signed up to free USD 37.6 million of GCF grant financing in the USD 243.1 million Saïss Water Conservation Project to make Moroccan agriculture more resilient World Resources Institute announced a landmark USD2.1 billion of private investment earmarked to restore degraded lands in Latin America and the Caribbean through Initiative 20x20 UNDP, Germany, Spain and EU launch EUR 42 million programme NDC Support Programme at UN Climate Summit to help countries deliver on the Paris Agreement NDC Partnership to establish a new regional hub to support implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in the Pacific 13 countries and IEA - EUR 30 mln to “IEA Clean Energy Transitions Programme” to support clean energy transitions around the world
Inia Seruiratu, Fiji’s Minister for Agriculture, Rural & Maritime Development, and National Disaster Management. Photo Credits: Max Thabiso Edkins/Connect4Climate
Investing in Climate Action
R20 and Blue Orchard Finance’s African Sub-national Climate Fund to provide ready-to-invest projects and funds to implement at least 100 infrastructure projects by 2020Coordinating Climate Action
With so many climate action pledges and initiatives from across government, business and civil society, there is a growing need to coordinate effort to ensure that every cent invested and every minute of work contributed results in a much greater impact than each acting separately.
SIDS Health Initiative by WHO, UN Climate Change secretariat and Fijian COP 23 Presidency to ensure small island developing states have health systems resilient to climate change by 2030 America’s Pledge brings together private and public sector leaders to ensure the US remains a global leader in reducing emissions and delivers the country’s climate goals under the Paris Agreement Powering Past Coal Alliance brings together 25 countries, states and regions to accelerate the rapid phase-out of coal and support affected workers and communities to make the transition C40 mayors of 25 pioneering cities, representing 150 million citizens, pledged to develop and begin implementing more ambitious climate action plans before the end of 2020 to deliver emissions neutral and climate resilient cities by 2050 Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction – signed agreement to dramatically speed up and scale up collaborative action below50 -World Business Council on Sustainable Development initiative to grow the global market for the most sustainable fuels. Transforming Urban Mobility Initiative - Accelerating implementation of sustainable urban transport development and mitigation of climate change. The Ocean Pathway Partnership aims, by 2020, to strengthen action and funding that links climate change action; healthy oceans and livelihoods including through the UN Climate Change process and via national climate action plans United Nations Development Programme launched the Global Platform for the New York Declaration on Forests to accelerate achievement of its goals of forest protection and restoration.Corporate Emission Cuts
EV100 – More big companies join transition to electro-mobilityGovernment Ratifications
Six countries have ratified the Doha Amendment (Belgium, Finland, Germany, Slovakia, Spain, and Sweden) – 90 countries in total have ratified Eight countries have ratified the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol (Comoros, Finland, Germany, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Luxembourg, Maldives, Slovakia and the UK) – 19 countries in total have ratified
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Inspired Ideas for Purer Air
We may have to wait years for polluting vehicles to be scrapped, so tech that helps clean the air, especially in our cities, is a good investment. Here are six innovative ideas to help us breathe better.
A little-known UK-based company, Vivex Engineering, has developed a Modular City Air Cleaner (MCAC) inspired by the atmosphere purifying effects of rain and thunderstorms.
The firm, which makes cold plasma air purification systems for factories, designed a solution that sucks air through a high-voltage high-frequency electric field. The electric field produces lightning-like electrical discharges, ionizing the air inside the module. The lightning changes the chemical composition of pollutants present in the air and aggregates small particles into larger clusters. A stream of water subsequently washes away pollutants, just like in a summer rainstorm. The technology also kills bacteria and viruses present in the air.
Vivex Engineering says one standard MCAC unit clears the air within a 25m-high column with an 80-metre radius. Purifying one cubic metre of air requires approximately a tenth of a watt of electrical power.
The environmentally friendly technology could be enhanced by integrating a solar panel into units exposed to direct sunlight. In tests, the technology removed 50 per cent of dust particles on average and 55 per cent of nitrogen oxides in just one step.
About the author:
Tereza Pultarova is a science journalist and health freak on a journey to better health, immortality and better youth using holistic approaches to a lifestyle based on some cutting-edge science that is unfortunately still on the fridges. We do have more power over our health and well-being than we think and I am on a mission to spread the message. And along the way, we shall also make sustainable choices to keep our planet healthy as well.
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Italy and UN Launch Fellowship Programme for Climate Vulnerable Countries
The Government of Italy and UN Climate Change have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a new Fellowship Programme aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to respond to the challenges arising from climate change.
The new Programme titled “Capacity Award Programme to Advance Capabilities and Institutional Training in one Year" (CAPACITY) will contribute to developing local professional expertise in the countries that are most vulnerable to climate change by:
Supporting innovative analytical work on climate change in the context of sustainable development Promoting a network of experts who can bring creating and innovative options to bear on questions of climate change Encouraging the leadership potential of young and promising professionals in the fieldsSpeaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Patricia Espinosa, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, said: "I would like to extend my deep appreciation to the government of Italy for providing support to launch this important fellowship programme. It marks an important step forward in our endeavor to ensure widest possible support to SIDS and LDC countries to combat climate change and help them build institutional capacity to build resilience to climate impacts.”
Patricia Espinosa, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary
Gian Luca Galletti, the Italian Minister of the Environment, Land and Sea, said: “The Italian government firmly believes that enhancing the ability of individuals, organizations and institutions in developing countries to identify, plan and implement ways to mitigate and adapt to climate change is crucial to enabling developing countries to pursue our common objectives for sustainable development in a climate-friendly manner.”
Gian Luca Galletti, Italian Minister of the Environment, Land and Sea
The programme is specifically targeted at mid-career professionals in SIDS and LDC countries who are working in a broad range of national, regional, and local governmental organizations, ranging from educational institutions, research institutes and ministries. Italy has agreed to provide a funding of 2,500,000 euros for the fellowship programme, which will initially be launched for a period for five years.
Annually, up to five one year fellowships will be awarded that can be further extended by one year. Selected fellows will have the opportunity to gain exposure to a wide range of opportunities available the UN Climate Change Secretariat in Bonn, Germany. They will be able to work on projects relating to the Paris Agreement, including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), global climate action agenda, finance, legal, regulatory and institutional framework.
