YOUNGO Newsletter 03 (COP28)
Welcome to the Third Edition of the YOUNGO Newsletter for COP28!
As we gather for the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28), this edition of our newsletter is a vibrant tapestry of youth engagement, critical discussions, and forward-looking actions. From the pulsating energy of the World Climate Action Summit (WCAS) to the dynamic discussions in our Youth Climate Forum (YCF), we are at the heart of shaping the future of our planet. Dive into this edition to explore the latest from YOUNGO TV, experience the solidarity of the Youth Day Photo Shoot, and understand the crucial work of our various working groups. Join us in this journey of advocacy, education, and change, as we collectively strive to influence policies and make our voices heard in the global climate dialogue. Whether you are joining us in person or virtually, your presence and participation are instrumental in driving the change we seek for a sustainable and equitable world.
YOUNGO Spokes
Join us for our daily spokes meetings, held at 9 AM in Side Event Room 2. These gatherings are designed to keep YOUNGO members informed about the day's plans and crucial updates. Understanding that the queues can be lengthy and not everyone can attend in person, we offer an accessible alternative - a Microsoft Teams link sent out each morning for virtual participation. Additionally, we provide translation services in both French and Portuguese.
The meetings don't just stop at updates; we conclude each Spokes session with a touch of fun - a lively song to lift everyone's spirits! We look forward to having you join us and stay connected with the YOUNGO community.
World Climate Action Summit (WCAS) Youth and Education Segment?
On December 2, the Al Waha Theatre buzzed with energy as the World Climate Action Summit (WCAS) Youth and Education Segment unfolded. The segment featured two engaging sessions facilitated by YOUNGO: the Global Youth Statement (GYS) handover and an insightful fireside chat. Given the significance of the event, 50 tickets were reserved exclusively for YOUNGO members, ensuring diverse and enthusiastic representation.
YOUNGO TV Updates
?? Tune in daily at 10:00 GST on YOUNGO TV for the latest on COP28 updates.
Our daily broadcast goes beyond the surface, providing deep dives into insightful climate updates, engaging discussions, and much more. It's your go-to source for staying informed and connected with the ongoing developments at COP28.
Follow us on LinkedIn for updates: YOUNGO UNFCCC LinkedIn
Catch us on Facebook: YOUNGO TV on Facebook
Stay tuned, stay engaged, and be part of the climate action conversation!
Watch the last episode of YOUNGO TV
Youth Day Photo Shoot - December 8, 2023 | 08:30 - 9:00 AM | Blue Zone Entrance?
?? Get ready for our Youth Day Photo Shoot on December 8, 2023, by 8:30 a.m.
Join us for a memorable gathering as we aim to freeze moments of unity and showcase the vibrant spirit of youth engagement in climate action. It's an opportunity to celebrate the power of our collective voice and visually represent the energy and commitment we bring to the cause. Come, be a part of this visual celebration, and let's make our stand for a sustainable future! Don't miss the chance.
Conflicts of Interest Working Group (COI WG) Action - December 8, 2023
The Conflicts of Interest Working Group (COI WG), dedicated to addressing corporate conflicts of interest within COP and the UNFCCC, has actively engaged with parties to encourage the development of policy positions on this critical issue. As part of its advocacy efforts, the COI WG is gearing up for YOUNGO's most significant youth-led action on December 8th - calling on all COP28 participants to express solidarity by wearing black clothing, symbolizing a united stance against corporate conflicts of interest.
Reacting to comments made by the Presidency, the WG strongly opposes recent statements suggesting that there is 'no science' supporting the need to phase out fossil fuels to restrict warming to 1.5 degrees. This directly contradicts the universally accepted scientific consensus urging urgent action to phase out fossil fuels, and the working group believes it borders on climate denial.
Given the interests of the hosts in oil, this is another example of a potential conflict of interest that represents the inherent fossil fuel entanglement within the COP space. This emphasizes the need for transparency and a commitment to scientific consensus in the pursuit of effective climate action.
Youth Climate Forum (YCF)
Aligned with the principles of Article 65 of the Glasgow Climate Pact, the Youth Climate Forum (YCF) is organized to ensure meaningful and inclusive youth participation. The first in a series of youth climate forums commenced on December 3, focusing on two key themes: Loss and Damage, and Health and Human Security.
The session focuses on urgent actions for vulnerable frontline communities facing climate change, delves into funding mechanisms for loss and damage, explores youth leveraging loss and damage as a responsive tool, and guides meaningful youth engagement in policy formation and negotiations. An essential forum for empowering and mobilizing youth in climate action.
The overarching dialogue during the thematic on health and human security emphasized the imperative of placing health and peace at the core of climate negotiations, fostering more just commitments from countries. The session concluded with a question and answer session, providing participants with insights on how to advocate for and amplify the demands outlined in the GYS.
YCF Schedule
Dec 5th, 13:00 – 14:00, MR3, An ‘Energy COP' for Net Zero
Dec 5th 14:00 – 15:00, MR3, Technology & Just Transition
Dec 6th 15:00 – 16:00, MR7, NDCs & Cities
Dec 6th – 16:00-17:00, MR7, Food and Water Security
WG Updates
YOUNGO Energy WG Calls for a Dedicated Energy Track at COP for Sustainable Future
YOUNGO Energy, alongside a broad coalition of youth climate and energy organisations, is calling for a dedicated negotiation track at the Conference of Parties (COPs). This coalition includes the United Nations Environment Programme Major Group for Children and Youth (UNEP MGCY), Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition (CSET) Youth, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 Youth Constituency, Student Energy, Generation Climate Europe, the International Youth Nuclear Congress (IYNC), Climate Fresk, the European Youth Energy Network (EYEN), Care About Climate, JAC, YAS, and European Young Engineers.
Today, around 80% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions are energy-related. A closer look at recent negotiations and discourse indicates that COPs are not designed to permit open debate over energy, especially not in a way that includes key stakeholders. The global multilateral governance framework must clearly do better. Progress today, whether on scaling up renewables, phasing out fossil fuels, or managing demand, more often comes out of non-negotiated agreements on both sides of the conference - as opposed to global United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) agreements.
A consultation process is urgently needed to bring together policymakers, private sector stakeholders, academics, and youth-led civil society to reshape international energy governance for a secure, equitable, and sustainable energy system
Join Us for ACE-Focused Events on December 5!
Join the ACE-focused event on December 5:
Health Working Group
The Health WG hosted a series of impactful side events across multiple pavilions including the Children and Youth Pavilion, Greening Education Hub, Egyptian Pavilion, and Youth Climate Champions Pavilion, emphasizing youth involvement. WG delivered a powerful intervention at the Climate and Health ministerial resonating youth concerns saying, “We do not want empty words, nor false promises, not even momentous days. We are demanding action. Action now! We have the right to lead a healthy life and live in a healthy environment.” The historic day saw countries commit to signing, endorsing, and implementing the climate and health declaration."
It was a historic day when countries committed to signing, endorsing, and implementing the climate and health declaration.
YOUNGO Photo frame
As the Comms team, we have created a nice posh photo frame for you. You can use it to support the Youth at COP28 by adding your profile picture to the frame and mentioning YOUNGO in your posts, and stories.?
Here is the link to the frame:
领英推荐
COP28 Updates
COP27 President hands over the baton to COP28 President
COP28 President delivers opening remarks
YOUNGO effectively conveyed its GST priorities in sessions with the #Transparency4Together team with the UNFCCC and SBI/SBSTA chairs. The informal discussion on the 1st GST draft concluded on Dec 3 after 20+ hours. Countries called for greater ambition, a clear roadmap, and increased financial support. Challenges include a few countries' resistance to language on fossil fuel phase-out, pre-2020 commitments, and sectoral targets.
YOUNGO is crafting its top 5 demands based on discussions to hand over to parties for consideration.
Just Transition WG
3rd Dec 12:00~13:00 Work programme on just transition pathways referred to in the relevant paragraphs of Decision 1/CMA.4 - Informal Consultation - SBI 9/SBSTA 8?
Plenary - Al Hairat
3rd Dec 15:30~18:30 Annual high-level ministerial round table on just transition—mandated Event
Plenary - Al Hairat
3rd Dec 15:00 - 16:30 A Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP) with the trade unions delivering climate justice,?
Zone B6, 79
Other Updates:
134 world leaders have endorsed the ‘COP28 UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action’, announced H.E. Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment and COP28 Food Systems Lead, during the World Climate Action Summit.
The Declaration confronts global emissions and protects the lives and livelihoods of farmers who are on the frontlines of climate change.
Countries and global donors have pledged over US$777 million to help defeat neglected tropical diseases and improve the lives of 1.6 billion people.
The pledging event was hosted by Reaching the Last Mile (RLM), the global health initiative supported by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
At COP28’s World Climate Action Summit, COP28’s @hlcchampions Razan Al Mubarak unveiled $1.7 billion in nature conservation finance.?
Countries and communities united to deliver ambitious nature-climate action and accelerate stewardship for the world’s forests and oceans. During the event, UAE announced a $100 million contribution of new finance for nature-climate projects, with an initial investment in the Ghanaian government’s ‘Resilient Ghana’ plan.
Charter for Early Action
Climate, development, and humanitarian actors united around a new charter to release more funding in advance of credibly predicted climate disasters -- instead of after.
Early action saves lives and livelihoods and prevents loss & damage.?
#COP28 #UniteActDeliver #ClimateAction #EarlyActionREAP
On December 3rd, the YCC Pavilion hosted the second Youth Ambition Majlis with His Excellency Dr. Wilhemina Jallah, Minister of Health of the Maldives.
The Majlis focused on vulnerable communities, showcasing evidence and solutions led by governments, academia, civil society, and youth organizations, emphasizing the critical need to prioritize mental health in the face of climate change.
World Climate Action Summit Summary
At COP28's World Climate Action Summit, 154 Heads of State and 22 international leaders convened, highlighting a crucial stride in climate action for 2030. Key moments included swift adoption of the loss and damage decision and prompt funding. Representatives from diverse sectors united in a shared commitment to urgent climate action, echoing the Paris Agreement's goals.
Leaders reaffirmed dedication to the Paris Agreement, stressing an urgent shift towards immediate solutions amidst record-breaking temperatures and global impacts. Nations pledged new emission reduction commitments, citing reports emphasizing the pressing need to align pathways with the 1.5°C target, as outlined in the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report and the Global Stocktake's technical findings.
At COP28's World Climate Action Summit, leaders fervently committed to the imperative energy transition needed to uphold the 1.5-degree Celsius target. Conversations involving 22 nations, ministers, and business figures revolved around tripling renewable energy and doubling energy efficiency while acknowledging cost reductions in clean technologies. Stressing emission cuts across sectors and technological innovation, they aimed to phase out fossil fuels in alignment with the 1.5°C objective. The Global Decarbonization Accelerator (GDA) showcased diverse sector commitments, such as the Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge by 119 countries and initiatives like the Industrial Transition Accelerator (ITA) and the Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter (OGDC) targeting net-zero emissions by 2050. Addressing methane and non-CO2 gases, over $1.2 billion was pledged for reduction in developing nations, urging comprehensive Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Leaders emphasized bolstering accessible, affordable climate finance, culminating in the COP28 UAE Declaration outlining principles for a more inclusive global finance framework in the pursuit of Paris Agreement objectives.
The World Climate Action Summit (WCAS) showcased significant strides in bolstering public, private, and blended capital flows. Notably, pledges totaling almost $3.16 billion were directed to the Green Climate Fund, supplementing the historic $12.48 billion second replenishment and contributions to the Adaptation Fund and loss and damage funding. The World Bank raised its climate finance target to 45%, committing over $40 billion annually by 2025, including $9 billion in additional funds for mitigation and adaptation. There was a strong call to address the adaptation finance gap and the global debt crisis hindering national transitions, coupled with initiatives like the Green Industrialization Initiative in Africa and the UAE's $30 billion climate fund ALTERRA. The summit underscored the importance of prioritizing nature, lives, and livelihoods in climate action, evidenced by commitments to sustainable agriculture, climate-health declarations, forest conservation plans, and investments in water scarcity solutions, marking a significant shift toward a nature-positive approach to climate action.
At the WCAS, unity in climate action was key, emphasizing the vital roles of various groups, including youth, local leaders, and Indigenous Peoples. The summit saw strong engagement, with youth presenting demands, $70 million pledged for resilient schools, and 64 countries committing to urban climate action, mobilizing nearly $470 million. Over 850 businesses pledged $5 billion for climate transition in emerging economies, with 200 small and medium enterprises joining in on climate tech solutions. These efforts aligned with existing climate action partnerships and a roadmap for 2030 solutions. The COP28 Presidency aims to build on this momentum, fostering transparency and inclusivity for a successful outcome in Dubai and showcasing essential multilateral unity for the 1.5°C goal.
3rd December Daily report:
The recent climate negotiations were a whirlwind, covering a vast array of critical topics. High-level ministerial events focused on finance goals and just transitions, sparking discussions on the importance of finance, trust, and strategies to steer national contributions. Jeffrey Sachs emphasized measures like a CO2 levy and bolstering multilateral development banks. Ministers highlighted short- and long-term goals, sources of finance, and transparent tracking for implementation, underscoring the urgency of climate action, especially in renewable energy and supporting vulnerable countries.
The Just Transition discussions emphasized fairness, integrating climate action with development. Experts stressed the need for inclusive approaches, gender inclusion, and addressing economic and societal aspects. There were diverse views on strategies, from incorporating best practices and gender to aligning with differentiated responsibilities among nations.
Mitigation talks focused on scaling up action, but divergent views existed on whether to include new targets and goals. Consultations aimed at clarifying cooperative approaches under Articles 6.2 and 6.4 of the Paris Agreement faced challenges in defining these concepts and establishing conditions for authorization and transfer of units.
Adaptation discussions highlighted concerns about erasing previous progress, emphasizing the importance of a simple yet comprehensive framework backed by science. There were calls for principles, targets, and support mechanisms, particularly for the most vulnerable countries.
Negotiations on finance revealed disparities in perspectives on needs, methodologies to track finance, and burden-sharing frameworks. Developing countries highlighted the need for substantial finance while seeking transparency in climate finance tracking.
While various drafts were received differently—some accepted, some rejected—just transition emerged as a key focus, prompting calls for its inclusion across different aspects of the negotiations. The looming challenge seemed to be finding a balance between comprehensive inclusivity and streamlined negotiations to reach substantial outcomes.
2nd December Daily report:
It sounds like the conference is tackling a vast array of critical issues related to climate change, from mountain conservation and adaptation to finance and transparency. The breadth of topics covered in these negotiations is impressive and highlights the multifaceted nature of addressing climate change.
The discussions around the Global Stocktake (GST) seem particularly pivotal, with various parties emphasizing the need for increased finance, equitable distribution, and the vital role of private capital and non-state actors. The challenges and differing perspectives on adaptation, mitigation, and financial support showcase the complexity of reaching a consensus on these issues.
The call for inclusivity and diverse representation in these talks, including the emphasis on gender considerations and the participation of various regions, is crucial for ensuring comprehensive and fair decisions.
The sheer scale of the conference, with record-breaking attendance, brings logistical challenges but also underscores the urgency and global attention focused on climate-related negotiations. It’s fascinating to see how different perspectives and priorities are being navigated within these discussions, reflecting the intricate balance required to address climate change comprehensively.