The Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Past Event
2024-11-21
COP29 Side Event: The Role of Local Communities in Climate Adaptation and Mitigation
Date: 21st November 2024 (Thursday)
Time: 10am - 12nn
Venue: Botswana Pavilion
Speakers:
- Kylie Lai - Senior Programme Officer CarbonCare InnoLab
- Sofia Luna Quispe - Quechua climate advocate (Youth Negotiator)
- Tinaye Mabara - Environmentalist and Sustainability Creative
- Alfred Chang – CarbonCare InnoLab’s Youth Delegate
During this session, the significant role of local communities in climate adaptation and mitigation efforts was underscored, with a focus on showcasing grassroots initiatives that enhance resilience and reduce emissions. Conversations centered on community-based natural resource management, the integration of indigenous knowledge systems, and the valuable contributions of women and youth to local climate solutions. The event emphasized the critical need for adequate support and policy frameworks to enable these communities to scale their initiatives, aiming to influence COP29 by advocating for stronger backing of local actors in national and international climate policies, encompassing key themes such as gender, adaptation, just transition, and youth empowerment. The overarching objectives included highlighting the essential contributions of local communities, showcasing successful grassroots initiatives, discussing community-based management strategies, integrating indigenous knowledge systems, empowering women and youth, advocating for supportive policies, influencing COP29 outcomes, addressing key themes like gender equality and just transitions, fostering collaboration between local communities and organizations, and promoting knowledge sharing among stakeholders. The expected outcome of this event is to garner enhanced recognition and support for local community initiatives in climate adaptation and mitigation, leading to the implementation of stronger policies that empower grassroots actors, particularly women and youth, not only at COP29 but also in the broader context of climate action moving forward.
The discussion also revolved around the vital contributions of local communities to climate adaptation and mitigation efforts, alongside the unique strengths that grassroots initiatives bring to the forefront. Sofia highlighted the varied impacts of climate disasters on communities and territories, emphasizing the importance of community-led approaches that are realistic, experience-based, and culturally sensitive. Alfred shared insights from coastal communities in Hong Kong, focusing on knowledge sharing for extreme weather adaptation and early warning systems. The conversation further explored the integration of community-based natural resource management practices into broader climate action strategies for enhanced sustainability and resilience. Kylie illustrated a case from Hong Kong, emphasizing the development of a community adaptation plan and capacity building utilizing biodiversity resources to bolster resilience. Additionally, the role of indigenous knowledge systems in informing and enriching local climate solutions was discussed. Sofia emphasized the importance of knowledge sharing spaces and mechanisms, such as cultural exchanges and educational platforms, to preserve and utilize ancestral wisdom effectively. Women and youth's key roles in driving local climate initiatives were highlighted, underscoring the significance of their involvement in decision-making processes for effective recovery and resilience-building efforts. Empowering women was seen as a crucial step towards strengthening families and communities, with examples like Ollas Sostenibles showcasing women's leadership in food sovereignty and community support networks. Challenges faced by local communities in scaling their climate initiatives, including funding obstacles and youth engagement barriers, were addressed.
Kylie and Sofia shared experiences related to fund accessibility, capacity-building, and the need for inclusive youth participation in policy cycles. The integration of gender inclusivity, adaptation principles, just transition, and youth empowerment into national and international climate policies to amplify the impact of local efforts was discussed. Suggestions included formally including youth in policy discussions and supporting constituencies at international forums like the UNFCCC process. Lastly, strategies to effectively communicate and integrate community-driven outcomes into the global climate agenda to influence broader climate action at COP29 and beyond were explored. Kylie highlighted the importance of programs like the Climate Advocacy Training for Youth Programme (CATY) to bridge the gap for local youths in international climate actions, emphasizing the concept of "global citizenship," while Sofia emphasized supporting Indigenous-led storytelling and communication efforts through social media and providing financial resources for project representatives to participate in global spaces.