COP 28 2023 COMMEMORATIVE EDITION
LEARNING ECOSYSTEMS THE YOUTH DIVIDEND
SAVING GAIA TO SAVE OURSELVES
BETTER COMMUNICATION TOWARDS A MORE PRAGMATIC COP
SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION THE DIGITALGREEN NEXUS
MASTHEAD CEO & PUBLISHER ANA C. ROLD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF SHANE SZARKOWSKI ART DIRECTOR MARC GARFIELD MULTIMEDIA MANAGER WHITNEY DEVRIES BOOK REVIEWER JOSHUA HUMINSKI
EDITORS JEREMY FUGLEBERG MELISSA METOS SPECIAL SERIES EDITOR KELLY R. BAILEY CORRESPONDENTS ELIA PRETO MARTINI NIKOLA MIKOVIC OPERATIONS COORDINATOR BEKI ADAMS
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD ANDREW M. BEATO FUMBI CHIMA DANTE A. DISPARTE KERSTIN EWELT
SIR IAN FORBES LISA GABLE GREG LEBEDEV ANITA MCBRIDE
CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS ALEJANDRO ÁLVAREZVANEGAS HANAN BADR RACHEL CLEMENT JALEH DAIE BLAIR GLENCORSE NICOLE GOLDIN HIMANGANA GUPTA GILLIAN HINDE SARAH JESSEN
JONI JUPESTA AHMAD MOHAMMAD KHALID BERNHARD KOWATSCH RASMUS LEMA BRIAN MANDELL DEB MORRISON NIDHI NAGABHATLA CAROL O’DONNELL SANAE OKAMOTO
ANA PALACIO JONGHWI PARK CARLOTA PEREZ BEVERLY J. POSTMA ALY RAHIM SHYAMA V. RAMANI ADAM RATZLAFF SAWAROS THANAPORNSANGSUTH ALEJANDRO TRENCHI
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Welcome
C O P 2 8 I NOVEMBER 2023
increasing protectionism it feels as though asking for this kind of painful cooperation is…really hard.
Shane Szarkowski Editor-in-Chief
O
ur earth isn’t in trouble in any meaningful sense, although the biosphere—and all of humanity along with it— certainly is. Opinions differ on when exactly the threat from climate change is existential, but fewer people than ever today would argue that we aren’t well on our way. What’s more, we have a very good idea, at least in broad strokes, what we need to do to avert disaster. We know that averting disaster requires cooperation, but there’s the hangup. We can’t agree on what cooperation looks like, who should be responsible for what, and indeed what the pacing of action should look like. What needs to be done will be painful for everybody—though more for some regions and states than for others —and in a geopolitical environment already fraught by distrust and
Yet it’s necessary. We are closing in on the Paris Agreement’s 2030 goals for limiting overall global warming, and according to the latest UN synthesis report, we are nowhere near on track. The prospects for getting back on track don’t look that promising, either. Cooperation needs trust, and right now trust is coming at a premium. It’s not made any easier by the controversial choice of COP 28 host country UAE to name group CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company Dr. Sultan al-Jaber to preside over the conference proceedings. In this tumultuous atmosphere, what can we do to foster more cooperation to give ourselves a chance at averting the worst impacts of climate change? This was the question driving Diplomatic Courier as we worked on the theme for this year’s annual UN Climate Change Conference (COP 28) special edition. Rather than rehash many of the sensitive political and technical pain points in negotiations, we decided instead to try to reframe how global publics think about our sustainability future by conceiving new approaches
to education, innovation, and youth leadership. In this edition, we asked three main questions: 1.
2.
3.
How do we craft better collaborative learning ecosystems to better equip youth and adults to address the climate crisis? How do we better communicate about climate change—with global publics and between governments —to foster trust and cooperation? How do we identify what long-term sustainability technological innovation looks like, and encourage those innovation paths?
We’re excited with the results. In cooperation with thought partners like the United Nations University system and the Smithsonian Science Education Center, Diplomatic Courier is pleased to bring a diverse set of expert voices who bring an array of perspectives—many of which will likely be new to our readers. It is our hope that some of these ideas will become conversation points for stakeholders in the climate crisis—which is all of us, really—as we try to find ways to cooperate even as we struggle to find points of trust and agreement. COP 28 | 5
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United Nations University
Knowledge to Transform the World
United Nations University
INSIGHTS
A monthly digest from the UNU research network
SUBSCRIBE NOW: unu.edu/insights Photo: Nicholas Doherty/Unsplash
Contents C O P 2 8 I NOVEM BER 2023
PART I: learning ecosystems 08 I Supporting Teachers, Equipping Youth for a Sustainable Future By: Carol O’Donnell, Brian Mandell, and Gillian Hinde
12 I A Real-World Approach to Education in Times of Climate Change By: Shyama V. Ramani and Alejandro Álvarez-Vanegas
16 I Empowering Youth to Become Sustainability Leaders By: Sawaros Thanapornsangsuth
18 I Creating Just and Resilient Sustainability Learning Ecosystems By: Deb Morrison and Sarah Jessen
22 I Universal Climate Literacy is the Path to Net-Zero By: Jonghwi Park
26 I The Mental Health Challenge of Climate Change By: Sanae Okamoto and Nidhi Nagabhatla
30 I Youth can Steer a Sustainable Path to Global Prosperity By: Dr. Nicole Goldin and Rachel Clement
part II: better communication 32 I Climate Change Communication for the Planet and the People By: Ahmad Mohammad Khalid
36 I A Pragmatic COP? By: Ana Palacio
40 I Advancing Youth Climate Action from Global to Local Levels By: Himangana Gupta
44 I Climate Activism, not Vandalism, Will Save the Planet By: Hanan Badr
part III: sustainable innovation 48 I 4G Agriculture in Pursuit of Resilient Food Systems By: Bernhard Kowatsch and Dr. Jaleh Daie
52 I The Digital-Green Nexus is a Win-Win for the Planet and the Economy By: Carlota Perez and Rasmus Lema
56 I Climate Resilient Food Systems Require Innovations in Finance By: Beverly J Postma
60 I Green Accountability is the Missing Piece for Equitable Climate Finance By: Blair Glencorse and Aly Rahim
64 I Promoting Sustainable Development Through Tourism in the Caribbean By: Alejandro Trenchi and Adam Ratzlaff
68 I How Simple Changes in Daily Life Can Help the World Achieve Net Zero By: Joni Jupesta
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Supporting Teachers, Equipping Youth for a Sustainable Future By Dr. Carol O’Donnel, Dr. Brian Mandell, and Dr. Gillian Hinde
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he United Nations’ (UN) adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was a global endorsement of the concept of building a better world through education. The SDGs not only provide a vision for action and outcomes on a global level, but at the community level as well. Sustainable development requires participation f rom the full spectrum of community members—f rom youths to adults to policymakers—to help def ine what sustainable development should look like for their local context. At the community level, development should not be topdown. It rises out of community identities and local visions for improvement. Youth can be an integral part of this visioning process, as they engage in learning about global issues in both formal (e.g., schools) and informal (e.g., museums) community-based education ecosystems. At its core, formal education is primarily a responsibility of state off icials, with regional or national level authorities being behind education policies and programs. While climate change and sustainability are typically thought of as global issues, we know that mitigation, adaptation, and resilience fall ultimately to communities. This research article draws on three recent global surveys of youth, teachers, and administrators to justify why community-based education ecosystems— both local and national—should enact policies and develop standards/curriculum for learning that support teachers and equip youth with the knowledge and tools for a more sustainable future.
Global Surveys of Youth A 2020 global survey by Ernst & Young of nearly 6,000 active and former participants of Junior Achievement across 17 countries in 7 continents show that 82% of youth aged 16-25 (“Gen Z”) surveyed are optimistic about f inding work and addressing global challenges in 2030 . Over 55% of Gen Z respondents consider
SURVEYS REVEAL THAT YOUTH WANT SCHOOLS TO TACKLE MORE COMPLEX SOCIO-SCIENTIFIC ISSUES AND YOUTH TRUST THEIR TEACHERS MORE THAN OTHER ADULTS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE INFORMATION. the education ecosystem the most important institution to prepare them to succeed in 2030. But, to prepare for global citizenry, they want more time spent on subject areas related to environmental literacy (77%) and global awareness (70%). Similarly, a recent survey by World’s Largest Lesson, UNICEF, UNESCO, and NetApp found that the majority of young people form 150 countries want to transform education, but 42% also said they are not learning enough about “protecting the planet and tackling climate change.”
Global Surveys of Educators Teachers’ and school administrators’ perspectives about teaching climate change and other sustainable development topics align mostly with youth perspectives. A methodologically rigorous 2023 global survey conducted by the Smithsonian Science Education Center and Gallup asked U.S. teachers and school administrators for youth ages 5-18 and school administrators about the presence of 11 of the 17 SDGs in their curriculum. Only approximately 30% of teachers said sustainability topics like climate action, clean water, and clean energy were included in their school curriculum, compared to 60% reported by teachers in Brazil, Canada, France, and India. Further, only 17% of U.S. teachers feel they have the necessary support from stakeholders, such as parents and school boards, to teach about sustainable development topics, compared to over 60% in the other countries. COP 28 | 9
TEACHERS ACROSS THE GLOBE AND ACROSS EDUCATION ECOSYSTEMS, BELIEVE TEACHING ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE ACTION IS IMPORTANT AND THEY SEE INCREDIBLE BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS TO TEACHING ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY TOPICS THAT UNDERLIE THE CLIMATE CRISIS. U.S. teachers also reported that they do not have the time, knowledge, instructional materials, or expertise to teach about sustainability. However, this same global survey showed that all teachers, no matter where they live in the f ive countries surveyed, believe teaching about sustainability and climate action is important and they see incredible benef its for students.
Decentralized Education Ecosystems In the U.S., education is a function of state government, per the U.S. constitution. However, because all things local are political, education reform in the U.S. is often intertwined with political decision-making at the state level. This means that if education reform advocates in the U.S. want to encourage teachers to include sustainable development topics in their classroom instruction, the f irst step is to integrate the topics into state standards. State standards then drive selection of instructional materials in the classroom and professional learning opportunities for teachers. But doing this on a national scale is not easy. Decentralized education ecosystems like in the U.S. make it more difficult to enact widespread change. Even though over 40 of 50 U.S. states adopted or adapted similar science standards that drive what students should know and be able to do, many of these topics impact on religious or political sensibilities of local communities. In turn, educators face intense pressure to teach in particular ways, something that is welldocumented in both evolution education and climate change education.
Surveys like this reflect the perspectives and experiences of the respondents and are not a direct measurement of the academic content taught in schools in each country, nor do the f indings reflect the quality of education. While the f indings are not a reflection of the state of sustainable development for each country itself, they are one indicator.
Centralized Education Ecosystems In other countries, education reform is determined at the national or provincial level, and schools choose their curriculum f rom a list of instructional materials approved at that level. This means that if sustainable development is incorporated into national standards and education policies, teachers and administrators are expected to address them.
Why are there differences across countries? One reason may be that each country’s education ecosystem is different—some are decentralized (where decisions about what to teach and how to teach are made at the local/state/provincial level); others are centralized, where decisions are made at the national level. The next section explains each.
For example, both Brazil and India have made intentional, policy-level efforts to advance sustainability education in their schools. While various Brazilian policies have been enacted, a notable example is the National Curricular Guidelines on Environmental Education, which include explicit instruction of sustainable development and its link to environmental
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education. In India, environmental education has been compulsory since a supreme court judgment in 2003, although implementation challenges still exist. The country’s revised National Education Policy, released in 2020, specif ically names sustainable development and living as a ”vision of the Policy” (p. 6) and calls for sustainable development to be integrated into teacher education (p. 23).”
Supporting Teachers and Youth for a Sustainable Future The 2023 Smithsonian-Gallup survey showed that U.S. teachers reported a clear preference for the materials they would most likely use to teach their students about sustainability. In addition to administrative support, most U.S. teachers said direct experiences like f ield trips (57%) and hands-on materials (56%), along with professional development (70%), are the most helpful for teaching about sustainability. Results were similar in Canada and France. India teachers’ top choice was textbooks (47%); Brazil teachers had no clear preference. Teachers’ preferences align with four strategic recommendations made by FHI360 to strengthen climate change education: (1) enact policies to support climate change education; (2) provide access to high-quality curricula materials
that are grounded in scientif ic evidence; (3) support educators with training and professional development; and (4) scale up out-of-school time and work-based learning models within the community. Simultaneously, FHI360 also highlighted the importance of: elevating the voices of young people, especially those f rom marginalized populations; using solutions-focused interdisciplinary approaches; and, connecting local and global experiences in the community. To ensure a more transformative future, education ecosystems should reflect major socio-scientif ic change at the global level and be an opportunity to include marginalized groups in the process of education. ***** About the authors: Dr. Carol O’Donnell is Executive Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Dr. Brian Mandell is the Division Director for Curriculum, Digital Media, and Communications at the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Dr. Gillian Hinde is the Global Corporate Responsibility Leader for EY Global Services Unlimited. COP 28 | 11
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A Real-World Approach to Education in Times of Climate Change By Shyama V. Ramani and Alejandro Álvarez-Vanegas
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ince UN Member States adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, many efforts have been made to design pathways and avenues to see their achievement. SDG 4 on quality education is no exception. However, higher education institutes (HEIs) are struggling to integrate sustainable development into their curricula and classrooms. A better approach to foster cooperation between state governments, HEIs, f irms, and NGOs is offered by the Quadro Helix Model. This model facilitates learning, including experiential, to young people in real time—particularly in countries facing serious climate risk. Since 2002, UNESCO has influenced and supported a global f ramework for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). ESD calls for an expansion of education and exploration of diverse pedagogical strategies which will develop the required socio-emotional and behavioral values, attitudes, and social skills to deal with global challenges such as climate change. However, HEIs’ main perceived function is to deliver employability in a business-as-usual economy, rather than promote civic responsibility. Furthermore, academics are pushed to publish and patent rather than engage in societal outreach. Given these pressures, breaking HEIs out of their traditional role requires additional incentives be offered to do so. Enter the Quadro Helix Model, a f ramework proposed to implement sustainability transition programs such as ESD. A more commonly known model, the Triple Helix Model, differs in that it calls only for cooperation between academia, the private sector, and the government. Whereas the Quadro Helix Model adds a fourth player: NGOs—specif ically in the innovation ecosystem—to generate societal innovations and motivate transformation with the support of the state, academia, and f irms. As such, it’s more geared toward the objective of changing minds and behaviors about social targets like climate resilience.
THE QUADRO HELIX MODEL IS A VIABLE APPROACH TO IMPLEMENTING ESD (EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT), BEING BOTH EDUCATIONALLY AND ECONOMICALLY EFFICIENT. Long before the SDGs were adopted, there have been experiments with service-learning clubs engaged in charitable acts, but these cannot be considered ESD as they are disconnected f rom academic learning. A typical example is the National Service Scheme (NSS), a policy innovation introduced by the Indian Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in the 1950s. Students can join NSS clubs in schools and HEIs, and the NSS academic coordinators implement charitable initiatives. Thus, even though NSS is similar to ESD in its top-down approach to increasing youth engagement in HEIs, the work is not designed to mobilize disciplinary knowledge, enhance academic understanding or employability, or prepare students to handle sustainability challenges.
The Quadro Helix Model in Action Against this backdrop, we take you to Friend in Need India Trust (FIN)—a knowledge-based charity which trains communities, young people, and policymakers on issues related to sanitation, waste management, and hygiene behavior for health and climate resilience. FIN is staffed by training graduates as well as candidates sponsored by f irms. This is an example of the Quadro Helix Model in action—NGOs working with academia, policy makers, and the private sector. Following the adoption of Indian government policies supportive of ESD in 2020 and 2022, both HEIs and f irms began COP 28 | 13
LONG BEFORE THE SDGS WERE ADOPTED, THERE HAVE BEEN EXPERIMENTS WITH SERVICE-LEARNING CLUBS ENGAGED IN CHARITABLE ACTS, BUT THESE CANNOT BE CONSIDERED ESD AS THEY ARE DISCONNECTED FROM ACADEMIC LEARNING. sending more young people to FIN to learn about climate change and sustainability. In addition to being useful for attaining SDG 4, it made these young people more employable, equipping them with capabilities such as analytical and critical thinking, innovation, complex problem-solving, analysis, emotional intelligence, creativity, and initiative. This example illustrates how the Quadro Helix Model is a viable approach to implementing ESD, being both educationally and economically eff icient. In short, FIN’s use of the Quadro Helix Model proves that it could be a viable, potential way to implement ESD—an avenue that is educationally and economically eff icient. Students get equipped with academic and real-life skill sets that prepare them to take on climate change endeavors as well as the job market. The need for investment is diminished as the NGO partner brings specif ic educating expertise to the equation. The Quadro Helix Model, then, can be an effective mechanism to realize ESD goals, and it can also lead to the creation of dedicated service and social enterprises, which can communicate effectively with HEIs and f irms—creating impact in the education realm.
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***** About the authors: Dr. Shyama V. Ramani is a Professorial Fellow at the United Nations University – Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (UNU-MERIT). Alejandro Álvarez-Vanegas is an assistant professor at Universidad EAFIT and a PhD candidate at the United Nations University – Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (UNU-MERIT). ***** Editor’s Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations University.
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Empowering Youth to Become Sustainability Leaders By Sawaros Thanapornsangsuth
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ducation for sustainable development (ESD), also known as Sustainable Development Goal 4.7, plays a vital role in shaping sustainable societies. It encompasses critical topics such as climate change and disaster resilience, highlighting the transformative power of education. ESD will only be successful, however, if we are able to empower young people to take the lead on transformative, sustainable action. This means moving beyond rote learning and encouraging critical thinking and proactive problem-solving. Around the world, universities have begun to recognize the importance of fostering sustainability on their campuses. Research in environmental education emphasizes that critical thinking and active problem-solving are crucial to enabling learners to effectively contribute to sustainable societies. Universities are forming research partnerships and introducing hands-on ESD courses that immerse students in real-world challenges. These courses utilize innovative teaching and learning methods to encourage students to envision future scenarios and make collaborative decisions. One best practice in ESD involves a humancentered design process that deeply engages students in environmental and community issues. This process includes empathizing with community problems, formulating clear problem statements, brainstorming effective solutions, crafting prototypes, and testing with the targeted users.
How Universities Educate for Sustainable Development There are numerous successful ESD programs across the globe implementing this transformative approach. For instance, a university in Thailand offers an elective ESD class that empowers students to design inventions addressing social and environmental challenges. One project focused on creating durable, zero-waste shopping bags and recycling paper waste at a local print shop. These projects address SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production), which includes targets focused on environmentally sound waste management through prevention, reduction, recycling,
and reuse (targets 12.4 and 12.5). These examples vividly illustrate how students significantly contribute to sustainable development through creativity and innovation. In Japan, a public university has employed the human-centered design process to tackle various challenges faced by farmers, with a focus on combating drought, aligning with SDG 15 (life on land). They developed an integrated platform providing accurate climate forecasts and drought predictions. The platform supports both experienced and novice farmers with a comprehensive guidebook and analyses of drought-resistant crops. It employs image processing technology to identify different soil types and offers tailored consultations based on specific parameters. Designing ESD courses to be hands-on and human-centric allows students to deeply connect with their communities’ challenges and their fellow residents. By understanding real-world challenges, defining their scope, and brainstorming innovative solutions, youth can gain a deeper understanding of socio-environmental challenges and generate creative ideas to address them. Enabling youth to actively engage in problem-solving equips them not only with essential skills but also with a sense of responsibility and agency in building a sustainable future. In a world facing complex sustainability challenges, these approaches pave the way for a brighter, more sustainable future led by a hopeful and empowered generation. ***** About the author: Dr. Sawaros Thanapornsangsuth is a researcher at the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS). ***** Editor’s Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations University. COP 28 | 17
Creating Just and Resilient Sustainability Learning Ecosystems By Deb L. Morrison and Sarah Jessen 18 | D I PLOM AT I C COURIE R
Photo by Tyler Lagalo via Unsplash.
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limate change is disrupting our societies globally. We need to systematically coordinate learning for climate action to ensure that every person across the world has the information and capacity to engage in individual and collective climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. While learning is needed to tackle climate change and to foster sustainable futures, climate change impacts disrupt learning opportunities. Additionally, quality learning opportunities and climate change impacts are highly variable. Those most impacted by climate change often receive less education, which is also more disrupted. Creating just, coherent learning ecosystems for climate action is challenging, particularly given that models must support intergenerational learning for action. In order to foster sustainable, equitable climate learning, three design principles should be at the core of such a model to help center justice: inclusive participation and shared decision-making, knotworking, and inf rastructuring.
Inclusive Participation, Shared Decision-Making Inclusive participation and shared decision-making by all stakeholders in the design of the learning ecosystem ensures the centering of justice and maximizes innovation. Diversity of experiences and perspectives is benef icial to foster innovation around emerging issues—such as those resulting f rom climate change. For many years, community organizers addressing issues of environmental and climate injustices have been working collaboratively; one such group is the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Climate Change Consortium (HBCU-CCC). The HBCU-CCC produces knowledge and provides networking opportunities for groups across the United States to learn with and f rom each other around climate change impacts and actions. Such networks often use community participatory design research practices to work across
THIS KNOTWORKING PRINCIPLE DRAWS ON THE IDEA THAT WE LEARN AND ACT BEST WHEN IN RELATIONSHIPS WITH AND ACCOUNTABLE TO EACH OTHER. networks, drawing in knowledge f rom both community and academia. Other examples of involving diverse stakeholders in designing just climate and sustainability learning ecosystems occur at different scales of work at city, regional, state, national, and international efforts. The Jemez Principles provide guidance for engaging in equitable participation in shared decision-making.
Knotworking As more stakeholders are brought into designing justice-forward climate and sustainability learning ecosystems, it is necessary to intentionally consider how to link disconnected individuals, organizations, or networks together to foster the creation of new knowledge and practices. This is a practice known as knotworking. Knotworking provides a model for coordinating activities that have a shared goal, but which imposes little in the way of coordination or control. This principle draws on the idea that we learn and act best when in relationships with and accountable to each other. A knotworking approach to designing climate and sustainability learning ecosystems that is grounded in inclusive participation and shared decision-making connects people to each other in meaningful ways to leverage powerful, co-created actions to mitigate or adapt to climate change impacts. Bringing stakeholders together who wouldn’t usually interact also encourages the development of new relationships, activities, and resourc-
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es—often allowing those excluded f rom climate mobilization and sustainability efforts a pathway into such work. However, justice is only fully supported when these new relationships are grounded in respectful, inclusive, and collaborative practices—f rom problem def inition, through solution options, to on-theground climate action implementation. Networks that foster knotworking around climate action are emerging at all scales. While research suggests the “sweet spot” for climate action happens within networks of 10,000 to one million people, we also need “networks of networks” sharing new knowledge and practices across global scales. One such example is UNESCO’s Greening Education Partnership (GEP), a global network of organizations to synthesize and produce knowledge and resources for building resilient k-12 education systems.
Inf rastructuring Parallel to knotworking is the need for infrastructuring to develop just climate change and sustainability learning ecosystems. Infrastructuring is the process of providing support and resources across the system as needs emerge. Supports and resources could include policy briefs, community designed communication toolkits, educational curricula, professional learning resources, data visualizations, or funding. The International Center for Climate Change and Development’s Locally-Led Adaptation (LLA) initiative provides an excellent example of community and justice forward infrastructuring. The LLA met in 2022 to address the challenges faced by many stakeholders in Bangladesh in facing climate change impacts. Using a knotworking approach, the LLA brought together previously disconnected stakeholders to share challenges and opportunities. From this a first step of infrastructuring was to design a national platform of activities that draws in from divisional platforms in different regions of the country. This bottom-up strategy allows for sharing of work as it emerges and for local participants to learn of similar efforts and resources in other 20 | D I PLOM AT I C CO URIE R
regions, greatly increasing local participants’ capacity to make informed actions. Some guidance for designing educational infrastructure is emerging out of similar efforts in North America. Mobilizing climate change mitigation and adaptation must be a whole-of-society global effort, an effort that needs a coherent and justice-forward approach to ensure our shared sustainable future. Climate empowerment was clearly defined in the original United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Article 6) in 1992, and again restated in the Paris Agreement (Article 12) in 2015. Researchers have clearly defined equitable and inclusive participatory design strategies to foster climate empowerment. Yet the need for coherent and strategic implementation of learning ecosystems to foster such empowerment are still poorly understood—and when developed and implemented, they are often underfunded, and, thus, have limited impact. If we are serious about ensuring justice in climate mitigation and adaptation efforts, we must be more intentional and strategic in the design and resourcing of climate change and sustainability learning ecosystems. ***** About the authors: Dr. Deb L. Morrison is a scientist, educator, and locally elected official who works at the intersection of justice, climate science, and learning. Dr. Sarah Jessen is a faculty member at the University of Southern Maine, where she teaches courses related to research, statistics, policy, and economics.
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Universal Climate Literacy is the Path to Net-Zero By Jonghwi Park
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he climate crisis is accelerating in real time, with daily headlines telling of relentless floods, wildf ires, cyclones, and heat waves that leave no corner of the globe untouched. The scale of the crisis makes the impact of individual actions seem as insignif icant as a drop in the vast ocean of challenges. It is especially so when the world systemically continues to rely on fossil fuel energy production, making it diff icult for individuals to embrace a lowcarbon lifestyle. Then do we still need to educate and empower people to be part of the solutions to climate change issues? The answer is a resounding YES. Education can raise public awareness of the scientif ic cause-and-effect relationships underlying climate change. It empowers individuals to make informed decisions to reduce their carbon footprint. Few are aware how foregoing a single beef burger is equivalent to saving 2,000 plastic cups (more than 5 years at the rate of one cup per day). Once we know scientif ically what contributes the most to CO2 emissions and how we can reduce and offset our own carbon footprint, we can educate others. This cascade effect has the power to catalyze systemic change through collective action, civic movements, and the voices of consumers demanding that systems, governments, and corporations reconf igure their models toward a netzero society. So it is welcome that COP28 will feature a space dedicated to seeking ways to empower every citizen to be climate literate—the Greening Education Pavilion. Climate literacy gives citizens the knowledge and skills to take climate action as well as helping make them aware of their rights in terms of climate justice. A f irst step to develop a comprehensive climate literacy education program is to establish a baseline understanding of existing knowledge levels. While an in-
A FIRST STEP TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE CLIMATE LITERACY EDUCATION PROGRAM IS TO ESTABLISH A BASELINE UNDERSTANDING OF EXISTING KNOWLEDGE LEVELS. creasing number of studies are def ining and assessing climate change literacy, there is a lack of internationally accepted, standardized instruments. This is mainly because, although the causes and effects of climate change are universal and interconnected, mitigation and adaptation measures can be locally specif ic. For example, although greenhouse gasses are common causes of climate change, the measures needed to adapt to sea level rise in Indonesia may be different f rom those needed for rapid desertif ication in Mongolia. Therefore, international organizations and research institutes must collaborate to develop assessment tools that encompass standardized, universally applicable core elements of climate literacy, along with optional domains and questions tailored to local contexts. Climate change education must extend beyond school education and aim to transform society as a whole. We need climate-literate professionals in every f ield, f rom small business owners and journalists to farmers, teachers, architects, city planners, homemakers, parents, and civil servants. Gender, age, skill level, income level, and geographical location should not be barriers to participation. Fortunately, an increasing number of networks and initiatives are recognizing the importance of implementing climate change education through a whole-of-society approach. Examples include the Regional Centres of Expertise on Education for Sustainable COP 28 | 23
WE NEED CLIMATELITERATE PROFESSIONALS IN EVERY FIELD, FROM SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND JOURNALISTS TO FARMERS, TEACHERS, ARCHITECTS, CITY PLANNERS, HOMEMAKERS, PARENTS, AND CIVIL SERVANTS. Development (RCEs), the Green Education Partnership, and Scotland’s Learning for Sustainability Action Plan 2023-2030. For instance, RCE Cebu in the Philippines engaged researchers, fishing communities, homemakers, and students to raise community awareness on the vital role of the local mangrove forest in mitigating climate change impacts. After seven years of collective efforts, the community successfully rehabilitated the damaged forest. Climate change education should move beyond the transmission of scientif ic knowledge to engage learners in actionoriented, innovative educational activities. Initiatives such as the Net-zero Youth Ideathon in Thailand, the Action for Climate Empowerment Hackathon organized by UN Climate Change, and using technology to facilitate North–South collaboration through digital storytelling on fast-fashion consumption are a few great examples of effective action-oriented climate change education. Teachers and adult learning educators play a pivotal role in achieving successful climate change education across all age groups. According to a recent UNESCO study (2021), only 53% of the national curriculum worldwide addresses climate change. In the same study, 95% of teachers surveyed expressed that teaching climate change was important but less 24 | D IPLOM AT I C CO URIE R
than 30% of them indicated readiness to teach the subject. A recent analysis of 140 national climate plans (Nationally Determined Contributions; NDCs) submitted as of October 2022 examining the pervasiveness and quality of climate change education is even more disturbing. Only four out of 140 countries included timebounded climate change education in their NDCs with monitoring and evaluation strategies indicated. None of the 140 NDCs included teacher unions, nor consulted teachers in the process of developing their NDCs. The urgency of climate change underscores the paramount importance of ensuring that every citizen is climate literate and empowered to take meaningful climate action. As the international community convenes at COP28, it is imperative that we include a national roadmap for climate change literacy and action as a top priority on the agenda. As Greta Thunberg urged in her recent book, “to avoid the worst consequences of the climate and ecological crisis, we can no longer pick and choose our action.” No one is too small to make a difference. ***** About the author: Dr. Jonghwi Park is an Academic Programme Officer and the Head of Innovation and Education at the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS). ***** Editor’s Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations University.
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The new genius is a collaborative genius
At Northwestern University’s Roberta Buffett Institute for Global Affairs, we believe that relationships among individuals and institutions—globally and locally—are what generate new knowledge that sparks solutions to global challenges. Learn more at buffett.northwestern.edu.
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The Mental Health Challenge of Climate Change By Sanae Okamoto and Nidhi Nagabhatla
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limate change impacts our mental health both directly and indirectly—directly as global publics cope with the trauma of sudden climate events, and indirectly as the more we learn about climate change, the more we worry. The lack of progress in global climate action is distressing, particularly for youth and children, and raises concerns for future generations. Inevitably, climate change is affecting the environment and our wellbeing. Yet, even apart f rom the impact of climate change on mental health systems around the world, governments are only allocating an average of 2% of health budgets to mental health. Climate change will likely intensify the situation due to the dearth of effective services and the overarching stigma connected to mental health which augments the suffering of those distressed—especially in underserved settings. Addressing these complex challenges will require a multifaceted approach that includes empowering youth and adults with the knowledge and skills needed to act. To craft better collaborative learning ecosystems, we must integrate climate education into the existing school curriculum. In 2025, the Programme for International Students Assessment (PISA) will consider evaluating the extent of 15-yearolds’ comprehension of climate change and their abilities to tackle climate challenges at both local and global levels. However, teaching climate change in schools would raise another fundamental question. Would we be scaring them with these facts about climate change? Such emotional effects can’t be neglected. This necessitates smart strategies to equip young individuals with the psychological resilience to conf ront the escalating risks. Educators, researchers, and pedagogical experts are pioneering innovative methods for teaching climate change. These innovative approaches encourage experiential learning—connecting students with scientists and driving group projects focused on pro-environmental actions
POPULATIONS THAT TRUST THEIR GOVERNMENT TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE TEND TO HAVE LOWER LEVELS OF CONCERN ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE. like community cleanups or planting trees in their local environments. Such approaches must be facilitated via partnering between educational institutions, community organizations, mental health care institutions, and local businesses. They need to provide an open space for children, teachers, parents, mental health professionals, and other community members to share their feelings about the future of the planet as well as learn about the climate facts and encourage collective actions that would help mitigate climate change. It would create effective forms of community-level and interpersonal support that are more relevant and empowering. For enabling such programs, preparing teachers and caretakers needs to be considered high in the national education planning. Climate science and knowledge about its complexities is overwhelming and rapidly expanding, and it’s no surprise that teachers and caretakers are not yet prepared to talk about the issues with children. To foster community-level connections, reliable climate communication is vital. Such communication builds trust and cooperation among agencies, communities, scientists, and governments; promoting open dialogues, addressing diverse viewpoints, and enabling meaningful exchanges. Populations that trust their government to address climate change tend to have lower levels of concern about climate change. Community-oriented solutions such as citizen assemblies to climate action could be a potential platform to enable the twoCOP 28 | 27
BUILDING ON GLOBAL COMMITMENTS OF CLIMATE ACTION DECISION PLATFORMS SUCH AS COP CAN HELP TO ACCELERATE ADDRESSING CLIMATE RISKS ON MENTAL HEALTH AND INCREASE AWARENESS OF THE ISSUE. way approach of discussing the verif ied climate facts to build trust among populations and sharing the evidence-based tools to support their wellbeing amidst the ongoing crisis. Furthermore, promoting technological innovations like digital and AI tools is another promising way to support addressing the climate impacts on mental health. Based on the lessons learned f rom COVID-19, innovative solutions have been developed in the last years to support our wellbeing. Providing mental health care through online tools can bridge gaps in accessing support, especially in remote areas, and decrease stigma-related barriers. Additionally, these tools could train care providers and create educational programs that promote good mental health practices in a cost-effective manner, considering the limited global mental health budgets. Natural language processing tools could predict mental health conditions through language and images in social media. Social media usage is currently over four billion people worldwide, and has been predicted to increase to almost six billion in 2027. Public-private partnerships can leverage such predictive analytics for early detection, interventions, and national policies. Importantly, though, we must identify solutions that have 28 | D IPLOM AT I C COU RIE R
the potential for long-term positive impacts and encourage such with investment in research and development, policy incentives and regulations, and multi-stakeholder collaborations. Addressing the mental health impacts of climate change is a signif icant challenge, but also a signif icant opportunity for public health and community empowerment. Building on global commitments of climate action decision platforms such as COP can help to accelerate addressing climate risks on mental health and increase awareness of the issue. The upcoming COP28 will hold the f irst ever Health Day that aims to build a consensus to prioritize actions for the health system’s responses to climate change by pairing with f inancing commitments for implementation. By considering and integrating mental health in climate discussions and climate action planning, we can foster a more compassionate, resilient approach that empowers both individuals and societies to create a sustainable future. ***** About the authors: Dr. Sanae Okamoto is a researcher and psychologist at the Economics of Innovation and Technology Unit of the United Nations University – Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (UNU-MERIT). Dr. Nidhi Nagabhatla is a Senior Fellow and Cluster Coordinator (Nature, Climate and Health) at the United Nations University Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS). ***** Editor’s Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations University.
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Youth Can Steer a Sustainable Path to Global Prosperity By Dr. Nicole Goldin and Rachel Clement
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s the world celebrates International Youth Day this year, we have a poignant opportunity to reflect on the signif icance of youth in U.S. foreign policy during this era of interconnected economies and shared global challenges—particularly when it comes to promoting inclusive growth, advancing democracy, and responding to climate change. With 2.4 billion people in the world between the ages of 10 and 29, the role of young people in steering the trajectory of nations deserves proper attention. Their passion, creativity, and commitment to a sustainable future are the keys to unlocking a greener, more just, inclusive, and prosperous world. 30 | D IPLOM AT I C CO URIE R
This year’s off icial theme of “green skills” is especially apt. As def ined by USAID, green skills are “…the breadth of technical, vocational, and professional skills… needed to contribute to a socially, economically, and environmentally just human society that cares for the human and non-human world and reduces the impact of human activity on others.” According to the 2022 USAID Youth in Development Policy, a global survey showed that 83% of young people believe their government is failing to care for the planet. Not only are young people motivated, seeing climate change as a global emergency, but they are poised to enter a world where green skills are increasingly necessary for their employment,
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entrepreneurial, or civic potential. By integrating green skills as a core element of positive youth development into U.S. foreign policy and development assistance, we can foster a generation of environmentally conscious, innovative, and skilled individuals who are equipped to address environmental challenges, drive economic growth, and strengthen markets. In communities where young people are most vulnerable to a changing climate, the youth can also help reduce reliance on foreign assistance by preventing and mitigating future disasters. Additionally, the United States has a unique opportunity to harness its competitive edge against countries like China by prioritizing the youth in its climate investments and foreign policy decisions. Foreign assistance is a powerful tool that can help bridge gaps, build capacities, and foster collaboration among nations. By ensuring meaningful engagement of youth-led organizations in development and diplomacy, the U.S. can leverage this generation of young people’s enthusiasm to accelerate progress towards economic security and equip them with the ability to navigate the complexities of the 21st century. Their interconnected world view, awareness of global challenges, and sense of solidarity—all shaped by technology—can inject innovative solutions into diplomatic efforts. Youth-led organizations—which are often agile, adaptable, and focused on local solutions—are wellpositioned to respond and build resilience to rapidly evolving crises, including those exacerbated by climate change. As recognized and promoted in USAID’s Climate Strategy, one of the key areas where youth-centered programs and youth-led initiatives have shown remarkable potential is in the realm of renewable energy. Young innovators are not only embracing green technologies but are also spearheading groundbreaking advancements. By nurturing these efforts, the U.S. can bolster its own transition to a greener economy while aiding
IN COMMUNITIES WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE MOST VULNERABLE TO A CHANGING CLIMATE, THEY CAN ALSO HELP REDUCE RELIANCE ON FOREIGN ASSISTANCE BY PREVENTING AND MITIGATING FUTURE DISASTERS. other nations in their pursuit of sustainable development. With rigorous evaluation and learning, foreign assistance that supports young people can catalyze positive change, creating a ripple effect that resonates far beyond national borders. At this halfway point to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this year’s theme of green skills offers a timely lens through which to view the transformative impact that the youth, youth-led organizations, and initiatives can have on fostering a resource-efficient and sustainable society. As the United States stands at a crossroads of global challenges and opportunities, it is imperative that the youth take center stage in foreign policy, programs, and partnerships. By embracing green skills; supporting youth-led initiatives; assessing evidence; and sharing best practice, the U.S. can forge a path towards a more equitable, resilient, prosperous, and environmentally conscious world. ***** About the authors: Dr. Nicole Goldin is Global Head, Inclusive Economic Growth at Abt Associates. Rachel Clement is Senior Manager, Policy at Childfund International
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Climate Change Communication for the Planet and the People By Ahmad Mohammad Khalid
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s the impacts and severity of climate change become more obvious, communication by and between governments and global publics about climate change and sustainability must improve to handle the climate crisis effectively. Climate communication is a key component of the Paris Agreement on climate change and aligns with the inclusive, democratic, and participatory agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Guidelines based on years of work by leading institutions and platforms such as World Meteorological Organization (WMO), UN Environment Programme (UNEP), UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), UNESCO’s Climate Change Communication and Education Country Prof iles, ACT Climate Labs, Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, prescribe three important tips for effective climate change communication. 1. The information and data on climate change impacts should be clear, easy to read and backed by science to avoid misinformation and increase outreach. Further, it should be verif ied via reliable sources and institutions such as the UNFCCC and WMO. For example, UNFCCC regularly publishes state of global climate change reports and provides specif ic estimates on GHG emission levels and its possible impacts. 2. Along with problem narrative, possible solutions must be discussed and conveyed via messages, public gatherings, and bigger platforms as these motivate people and policymakers to engage. A creative way to do this would be to make information relatable, local, and personal. This may be in the form of compelling emotional stories, raising concerns and red flags, and promoting successful campaigns and case studies. For example, the impact of the 2022 floods in Pakistan which displaced millions and de-reeled
ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE MAY LOOK DIFFERENT IN A DEVELOPING COUNTRY CONTEXT COMPARED TO THE DEVELOPED WORLD, WHERE FOCUS IS MORE ON SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION THAN CREATING ADAPTIVE CAPACITIES. its economy raised local and global concerns simultaneously on “loss and damage” and was widely acknowledged at Conference of Parties (COP27) held in Egypt last year. 3. Mobilizing climate action should be participatory to ensure equity and justice. This provides everyone f reedom and opportunity to raise their voice against environmental issues that matter for the “planet and the people.” One crucial platform for mobilizing such actions is the COP meetings that invite youths, women and community leaders, politicians and heads of governments, researchers, business leaders, and NGOs to engage in discussion on the planet’s most critical climate challenges and issues. Businesses have signif icant influence on climate decisions by governments. Thus, aligning their interests and priorities with the national and global climate goals, further fast tracks the whole process.
Citizen Engagement and Political Will Experts observe that there is a lack of political will on climate action and this requires enhanced citizen engagement and public demand. According to Anthony Leiserowitz of Yale University, this can be achieved with presence of three simultaneous things: (1) urgency and importance of a problem for public and COP 28 | 33
THERE IS AN URGENT NEED TO COMMUNICATE WOMEN’S CRITICAL ROLE AND LEADERSHIP ON CLIMATE CHANGE RATHER THAN DEPICTING THEM AS “VICTIMS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.” elites—e.g. support for climate policies, (2) availability of viable solutions—e.g. electric vehicles and solar rooftop solutions (3) high political commitment to embrace the solution—e.g. governments are signatories to Paris Agreement and should take concrete actions to embrace cleaner sources of energy such as solar and wind. It is easier for a large population to persuade and put pressure on political leaders to act. Proper design of climate communication is critical. It must cater to the needs of individual regions and their stakeholders, as the level of climate change impacts and its perception might vary among them. For instance, action on climate change may look different in a developing country context compared to the developed world, where focus is more on sustainable consumption than creating adaptive capacities. Similarly, youth perception and expectations by climate leaders may serve as a critical force in deciding the correct and safe future for them and the environment. In this regard, climate activism of Swedish youth activist Greta Thunberg is praiseworthy as she successfully inspired millions of youths globally to join her on streets against governments and demand ‘climate justice.’ The recent decision by a UN Committee further strengthens youth power where they have the right to sue their countries over climate. This spark continues even in the upcoming COP28
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in UAE where the hosts have initiated several initiatives to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among youths. There is also an urgent need to communicate women’s critical role and leadership on climate change rather than depicting them as “victims of climate change.” In case of natural disasters women are the most displaced population and face higher livelihood and family pressures. Despite these challenges they outperform men when it comes to strengthening adaptive capacities in climate impacted areas because of their high awareness and knowledge about local conditions, “high motivation and ability to act,” aptly synonymized in words of Stanford Prof. BJ Fogg as “Dolphins.” Despite the availability of a large quantity of information, insights, regular guidelines and tools by researchers and eminent institutions on effective climate change communication as highlighted above, it is always diff icult and tricky to deploy a particular form or method of communication, as the issues and concerns and the required solutions may signif icantly vary within a society. An effective climate change communication thus requires continuous innovation to fulf ill stakeholder needs while using reliable data, maintaining transparency, and ensuring equity concerns for a climate compatible and caring world. ***** About the author: Dr. Ahmad Mohammad Khalid is a researcher at the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS). ***** Editor’s Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations University.
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Agency & Opportunity for All
A Pragmatic COP? By Ana Palacio
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Image via Pixabay.
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ecent climate negotiations have been heated, to say the least. Beyond the usual recriminations over financing, the choice of Sultan Al Jaber—Chief Executive of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)—as the president of the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in the United Arab Emirates has fueled considerable controversy. But if the world is to make genuine progress on climate change, the engagement of both the oil and gas industry and the Gulf region is essential. In this sense, COP28 could be a real game-changer—if the rest of the world manages to set dogma aside and focus on finding common ground. This message is particularly important for the European Union, whose approach to climate change has often been characterized by a self-defeating combination of ideology, hubris, and tunnel vision. While the EU has made important progress in reducing its carbon footprint and improving energy efficiency, it has failed to devise a common energy framework, thereby undermining both energy security and, ironically, sustainability. This became starkly apparent after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when European countries had to scramble for alternative energy supplies. Germany resorted to burning coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel. Now, the EU is being forced to reassess the practicality of some of its green initiatives, including a law banning the sale of diesel and gas-powered cars by 2035 and the Nature Restoration Law, a key component of the European Green Deal. Moreover, though the EU has established itself as a global standard-setter in the green transition, it overestimates the extent to which its green philosophy resonates with the rest of the world. This is especially true for non-OECD countries, which bristle at the notion that they should make a direct leap from energy poverty to fully renewable and decarbonized consumption.
IF COP28 IS TO BE A SUCCESS, SUCH GREEN IDEALISM AND HYPOCRISY MUST BE REPLACED BY A CLEAR-EYED AGENDA THAT CONSIDERS THE BROAD RANGE OF INTERESTS AT PLAY. These countries contributed little to the climate crisis and now face the immense challenge of delivering economic opportunities to fast-growing populations. They can hardly be expected to prioritize sustainability over growth and development. Where they do contribute to the green transition—and pursue related imperatives like climate-change adaptation—they should be receiving generous funding from the rich world. But such support is currently falling far short of what is needed. It is estimated that if emerging and developing economies are to have any chance of reaching net-zero emissions, their annual cleanenergy investments must reach roughly $2.8 trillion by the early 2030s. That is more than triple the $770 billion delivered in 2022. In 2021, net transfers from official loans to the developing world amounted to just $38 billion. The $100 billion in annual climate financing that high-income countries pledged in 2009 to deliver by 2020 never materialized. Instead, some donors have begun imposing green conditionality on foreign aid and loans. Meanwhile, Europe has continued to make up its own energy shortfalls with gas, often from countries such as Senegal or Mozambique, to which it has denied financing for anything other than renewable energy. If COP28 is to be a success, such green idealism and hypocrisy must be replaced by a COP 28 | 37
OIL COMPANIES—BEGINNING WITH THOSE OWNED BY STATES— SHOULD COMMIT TO TANGIBLE, VERIFIABLE EMISSIONSREDUCTION GOALS. clear-eyed agenda that considers the broad range of interests at play. Only by recognizing the needs and goals of all relevant actors can we hope to make green initiatives sustainable and accelerate the energy transition. A more realistic approach to the oil and gas sector is also needed. For starters, there is no getting around the fact that, for now, it remains essential to energy access and security. As a recent International Energy Agency report argues, only continued investment in the oil and gas industry can ensure that the world’s oil and gas supply does not fall faster than demand. But the IEA also notes that the industry should be investing in reducing the emissions intensity of its operations. In fact, reducing the oil and gas industry’s emissions—such as by eliminating all nonemergency flaring and expanding the use of low-emissions hydrogen in refineries—is one of the most cost-effective approaches to reducing total global emissions and limiting near-term global warming. Oil companies—beginning with those owned by states—should commit to tangible, verifiable emissions-reduction goals. But oil and gas companies have an even greater role to play in the green transition. Energy firms have a global reach, a high-risk appetite, substantial financial resources, and established connections with energy stakeholders such as buyers and regulators. They also have considerable expertise in offshore projects, hydrogen production, and transporting fuel. All of these strengths can be leveraged to advance sustainability-related objectives. 38 | D I PLOM AT I C COU RIE R
Firms like ADNOC have already made progress not only in lowering their carbon intensity, but also in contributing to development. Saudi Aramco’s $500 million corporate venture fund to back renewables and energyefficient technologies is also a step in the right direction. But much more needs to be done. To encourage the private sector—and not just oil and gas companies—to invest more in emissions reduction, we must make better use of carbon pricing and crossborder emissions-trading schemes. But such efforts must account for differences in energy needs and priorities, and avoid unrealistic expectations for renewables. A one-size-fits-all approach would be neither fair nor effective. Each country must be able to strike its own balance between sustainability, security, and cost-effectiveness. The EU, for its part, needs a new framework for climate action that reflects a more practical, global perspective—one with the broad appeal that will be essential to make real progress on climate change. The world cannot afford to prioritize ideology over pragmatism. A just green transition will be possible only with a sober, balanced approach that accounts for each country’s energy and development needs. If COP28 is to yield meaningful progress, we must stop squabbling and start recognizing what various actors—including the oil and gas industry—can bring to the table. ***** About the author: Ana Palacio, a former foreign minister of Spain and former senior vice president and general counsel of the World Bank Group, is a visiting lecturer at Georgetown University. Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2023.
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Advancing Youth Climate Action from Global to Local Levels By Himangana Gupta
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oung people have a lot to offer as we fight climate change. Their ideas help us develop solutions to the global climate crisis, but beyond that their activism has pushed us to adopt stronger climate commitments. While youth engagement has been powerful, it has not yet achieved its full potential. Up to now, most of the effort put into encouraging youth engagement on climate has mostly taken place around international processes. Achieving a sustainability transformation, however, requires more powerful youth engagement at the national and local levels as well.
THE WORLD NEEDS MORE THAN ADVOCACY FROM YOUTH—WE ALSO NEED THEIR ORIGINAL IDEAS AND INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS—WHETHER SUPPORTING OR OPPOSING THE OFFICIAL POSITIONS OF PARTIES.
As COP28 approaches, we can expect more youth participation, with stakeholders looking to capture their perspectives and make the climate debate more inclusive. Youth NGOs have actively voiced their concerns on issues such as the guidelines for market mechanisms under the Paris Agreement, loss and damage finance, indigenous peoples’ rights, and Action for Climate Empowerment. The decision adopted at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh last year encourages parties to include youth in their processes for designing and implementing climate policy and action, and to consider including young representatives and negotiators in their national delegations. This is one way to better integrate their presence and opinions in national and global decision making.
example of an effort to build such capacity is the Young Negotiators Academy, which focuses on intergenerational learning to facilitate knowledge and insight sharing. The world needs more than advocacy from youth—we also need their original ideas and innovative solutions—whether supporting or opposing the official positions of parties.
Seeking Meaningful Youth Engagement Young people have good intentions and are motivated to get involved, but they often lack understanding of policy processes and national needs, which often leads to narrow types of activism. This tends to limit their role to “poster children” attending climate rallies rather than agents of meaningful, active involvement in real negotiations. To ensure such participation in COPs and other international meetings, we should train young people on the science, policy, and economics of climate change, the specific needs of countries, and on the progress of negotiations to date. A good
The current generation grew up in a capitalist world, encapsulated in consumerism and rapid technological progress. On one hand, this better equips them to engage with technology and the digital world. On the other, it has disrupted their connections with the natural world, selfsufficiency, and relational wellbeing. Humanity today is increasingly consumptionoriented and reliant on fossil fuels—and are no longer interested in agriculture-based livelihoods. This means accelerated urbanization, in both developed and developing economies, in pursuit of service sector jobs. The rural economy needs more labor—especially among more developed economies—to restore abandoned landscapes. In this context, meaningful youth engagement means empowering young people to drive climate initiatives at the local level, applying innovative methods and technologies to support both the economy and nature. Many youths working in government, the private sector, civil society, and academia are coming up with real solutions for climate change—including mitiCOP 28 | 41
gation, adaptation, and monitoring. There are examples of such youth-led initiatives that are turning the tide in their countries through innovative solutions. But these initiatives tend to be less visible than larger youth activism, eclipsing real progress on implementation. Genuine engagement of youth can be enhanced by leveraging youth activity within the climate domain. For example, providing young negotiators with opportunities to speak up during the negotiations, allowing youth in the private sector to come up with and implement sustainability solutions, and providing finance for civil society activities carried out by youth, which make a real difference on the ground. Local implementation and climate action is the key to transformation. While COPs provide a platform and a stage to voice relevant concerns, youth attendance and participation at these annual meetings shouldn’t be an end in itself, but rather a means to achieve successful climate action. Instead of seeing youth primarily as victims of climate change, we should ensure that they are properly equipped with the tools and training to be empowered as active agents of change, making them the torchbearers for our sustainable future. ***** About the author: Dr. Himangana Gupta is a Research Fellow and Academic Associate at the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS). ***** Editor’s Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations University.
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Climate Activism, Not Vandalism, Will Save the Planet By Hanan Badr
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oup and art in one sentence no longer solely remind us of Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans at the MoMA. Lately it is also associated with often desperate, disruptive targeting of museums and art collections to elicit media attention and bring pressure on societies to take the climate emergency more seriously. Is art a legitimate target for destruction (or to simulate its destruction)? While climate activism is a worthy endeavor, in this case it poses a false dilemma. Curbed asked why activists chose to juxtapose art versus life to push for climate action? To unmask societal hypocrisy? For a shock effect? Obviously damaging art hurts sensitivities of the middle class, the right target audience, with the wrong outcome.
WHY DO ACTIVISTS CHOSE TO JUXTAPOSE ART VERSUS LIFE TO PUSH FOR CLIMATE ACTION? TO UNMASK SOCIETAL HYPOCRISY? FOR A SHOCK EFFECT? OBVIOUSLY DAMAGING ART HURTS SENSITIVITIES OF THE MIDDLE CLASS, THE RIGHT TARGET AUDIENCE, WITH THE WRONG OUTCOME.
The ends do not justify the means in this case. Ultimately, these disruptive methods of climate activism—vandalism—are winning attention but are losing the people. Even sympathizers see the measures as futile and divisive. The damage goes further. Politicians sympathetic to climate action lose credibility f rom these tactics. Radical politicians who seek to minimize the climate emergency are able to take advantage by depicting activists as eco-terrorists, laying the groundwork for legal action rather than climate action. Finally, climate movements themselves are hurt by this kind of activism, due to police crackdowns, a drain on resources, and a public that has been distracted f rom the core message of climate activism.
While there is no “correct” way to do activism, there are some ways which are counterproductive. Activism informed by dogmatic views is potentially dangerous.
The choice to simulate vandalizing art for shock effect has a privileged and elitist symbolism behind it. An invisible class dimension shows the privilege to be biographically available, a term coined in social movement studies. The working class cannot afford to skip a workday to go on strikes during the week or fly to distant places for the symbolic-performative actions. It is a privilege to be an activist and speak up or “take arrestable action for climate justice.”
Climate activism cannot be relegated to the radical f ringes, instead we should broaden the scope of activism. Healthier and more productive forms of activism would follow a “do no harm” principle, as it lays out powerful ethical boundaries which helps delegitimize destructive behavior. It is more productive in the longterm to organize non-violent protests that bring people together, not apart. So, what visible acts of activism can bring change without losing the people?
The extreme messaging used by groups such as Extinction Rebellion and Last Generation—which emphasize the climate emergency as a matter of life or death for humanity—is a powerful mobilizing technique. Yet it also resonates powerfully with the kind of messaging used by authoritarian governments historically, which focused on “greater good” and “existential struggle” narratives which creates a harmful us-vsthem binary. Presenting climate change as an existential question in which extreme acts are justified is dangerous, potentially evolving into “climate authoritarianism.”
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HEALTHIER AND MORE PRODUCTIVE FORMS OF ACTIVISM WOULD FOLLOW A “DO NO HARM” PRINCIPLE, AS IT LAYS OUT POWERFUL ETHICAL BOUNDARIES WHICH HELPS DELEGITIMIZE DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR. One example that equally catches media attention is the latest cake attack on Ryanair CEO, which is symbolic and effective without alienating the people. Extinction Rebellion has begun to recognize that its extreme methods of activism are alienating potential support. At its massive UK march “Big One,” Extinction Rebellion changed its tactics and partnered with around 200 other organizations to create a large, highly visible, non-destructive protest march.
Politics of Labeling How can we evaluate if vandalizing art achieves its goals? Whether we personally like it or not is beside the point. Successful social movements appeal to the public to create change. If the public f inds activist tactics off putting, then social movements need to reevaluate how they seek to motivate the public. Greta Thunberg’s famous “How dare you” speech claimed a sense of collective moral responsibility for climate activism…responsibility to inspire the public to sustainable action. Chaos is not inspiring, nor is the destruction of property.
The Missing Global Dimension Climate activism is a continuing, major part of the conversation in the Global North. Zooming out f rom the Westerncentric logic, climate activism needs to 46 | D I PLOM AT I C CO URIE R
evolve toward productive and inclusive ways to counter the climate crisis together with those outside the Global North. Countries in the Global South had little to do with creating this crisis and they are struggling with f inancial crises. Yet they need, somehow, to inspire their populations to also take climate action. Previous work published by Diplomatic Courier suggests realistic solutions for a global and just climate agenda. To globalize a green philosophy that accounts for inequalities around a world still impacted by the legacies of colonialism, any meaningful climate action must be epistemically inclusive. How would inclusive, sustainable, holistic, and productive climate action look? Climate activism means informed, considerate actions with transformational potential. What the current debates show us is that legality and legitimacy are not the same thing. Moral legitimacy alone does not guarantee acceptance. Insisting on radical methods risks alienating the public getting a negative label pinned. Climate activism should remain an inspiring label towards transformational action. The ultimate criterion: secure sustainable support to achieve real change towards inclusive and just futures. ***** About the author: Hanan Badr is Full Professor at the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Salzburg, Austria, and Kluge Fellow at the Library of Congress.
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4G Agriculture in Pursuit of Resilient Food Systems By Bernhard Kowatsch and Dr. Jaleh Daie
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magine a new era of Fourth Generation agricultural practices—4G-Ag—where digital innovations along the entire agrifood vertical lead to feeding all people with nutritious food, in a way that is consistent with stewardship of land and our planet and helps address climate risks. This is possible because ag-tech is climate tech. It affords us both food for all and a sustainable environment. Here are but a few examples of how we are already on this path: 1.
AI-operated autonomous machines killing weeds with a laser beam and applying fertilizer precisely into the crop. (Verdant Robotics)
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Omega 3 oils made from algae fed on by-products of industrial emissions, reducing demand for salmon. (Lanza Tech)
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A low-cost, small-scale machine that can transform crop residues into biofuel, fertilizer, and activated carbon. (Takachar)
4. Microbes that inhabit corn roots to trap nitrogen from the air as fertilizer leading to reduction in inputs. (Pivot Bio) 5.
Decentralized insurance protocols on blockchain. (Etherisc)
6. Accurate, actionable, and affordable weather forecasts for smallholder farmers. (Ignitia) 7.
Seaweed ingredients in cow feed that reduce methane emissions by 90%. (CH4)
8. Digitized farm-to-fork supply chains that ensure product quality and enable fair pay for small-holder farmers. (Decapolis) 9. Technology that connects producers directly to underserved communities and leverages food rescue and community buying to lower costs for low-income families. (Nilus)
TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN RESILIENT FOOD SYSTEMS WE MUST RATCHET UP AG-TECH APPLICATIONS—FROM FARM TO FORK— THROUGH MEANS THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH GLOBAL CLIMATE RISKS. To achieve the SDGs, we face an immediate task of doubling protein production by 2030 to satisfy demands from an expanding middle class in Asia and Africa. Beyond this, to create and maintain resilient food systems we must ratchet up ag-tech applications—from farm to fork—through means that are consistent with global climate risks. In pursuit of sustainability and social impact all stakeholders—large and small, global or local, corporate or nonprofit—must apply a relentless focus on innovation. This matters even more for NGOs which must achieve their mandate despite chronically limited resources. With great need for continued and accelerated innovation, we also need to broaden the discourse to encourage people into action. In the last decade or so there has been much talk of sustainable food systems, including at global Food Systems Summits to activate governments, companies, UN entities, NGOs, and civil society. There have already been some significant breakthroughs. Yet the challenges and opportunities remaining are greater still. Current conversations surrounding the pressing issues of hunger and climate change do not sufficiently consider ag-tech, even though nearly one-third of all man-made GHG emissions come from agriculture and food production. Furthermore, crop production’s share of emissions is nearly the same as emissions from farm animals. Similarly, between 30-40% of global food supply goes to waste—either as post-harvest loss COP 28 | 49
BETWEEN 30-40% OF GLOBAL FOOD SUPPLY GOES TO WASTE—EITHER AS POST-HARVEST LOSS THAT NEVER ENTERS THE FOOD SYSTEM, OR AS FOOD WASTE AT THE CONSUMER LEVEL. that never enters the food system, or as food waste at the consumer level. Without impactful ag-tech innovation, there will never be sustainable, resilient food systems. Innovation in upstream ag-tech (before farm gate, storage, distributions, and biotech) are prerequisite for secure and resilient food systems. While downstream (consumer-facing) innovation is desired and necessary for lasting and consequential outcomes, it is the upstream that will ultimately determine the level of our continued success both in alleviating hunger and addressing climate change. Significantly, the investment and financial worlds consider allocated dollars to ag-tech as allocation to climate tech, accelerating achievement of desired goals. We will not be able to achieve food security and climate goals by only engaging people who are already convinced. One way to do better is by highlighting, supporting, and celebrating the positive impact that many of companies including the above mentioned are moving the innovation needle. A fundamental shift in mindset is needed, away from the emotional and political, toward an on-the-ground, real-life assessment of human needs, in balance with stewardship of our planet. The way forward will require collaborations of all sorts, especially new models in public-private partnerships. Private companies can leverage the expertise and global infrastruc-
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ture of NGOs, and NGOs can benefit from a myriad of proven innovation models to stay current and relevant. Rethinking what is possible in public-private collaboration requires openness on all sides, as well as new strategies for businesses to approach profit-making ventures and the public sector to double down on innovation and adapting new ways to operate. An innovation mindset is an essential tool for creating resilient food systems and greater social impact. It is urgent because people demand it, and the environment needs it. Key to achieving such a goal is greater investments by the private sector and establishment by NGOs of innovation accelerators and pilot projects of various kinds, encouraging walks off the beaten path. The mentality of “we have always done it this way” is neither viable, nor acceptable. 4G agriculture will pave the way. ***** About the authors: Bernhard Kowatsch is Head of Innovation Accelerator at the United Nations World Food Programme and Co-Founder of ShareTheMeal. Dr. Jaleh Daie is Partner at Auroa Equity and Chair /founder of AgFood Tech at the Silicon Valley based Band of Angels.
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The Digital-Green Nexus is a Win-Win for the Planet and the Economy By Carlota Perez and Rasmus Lema
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his year’s UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai will conclude the global stocktake exercise, assessing global progress on mitigating climate change. As it will show, most countries have formulated national plans for reducing emissions, often combining existing technologies with those that are expected to develop during the current window to limit global temperature rise to 2°C. These plans are often too optimistic. While many policymakers believe in a hockey stick-model of climate change mitigation in which they can await innovative technologies and cost reductions— and thus only achieve the bulk of reductions at the end of this decade—there is a real risk that mitigation actions will follow a flatline curve instead. There are also enormous technological uncertainties, and investments are mainly incremental improvements in existing technologies or in new green technologies which have been “immature” for decades. With only six years left to go until the end of the Paris Agreement’s timeline of 2030, where should countries direct their efforts of technological innovation in support of reaching climate targets and major longterm transformation?
A “Twin Transition?” The notion of the “twin transition” brings the information revolution into play, acting as the enabler as well as the reinforcer of the green transformation. Most green technologies have limits in terms of the technological multiplier effect of investments in technological innovation; they are extremely diverse in terms of their science and technology groundings, and there are few synergies between them. Improvements in wind energy technology do not have knock-on effects leading to improvements in, say, solar, low-carbon steel or green aviation. Conversely, digital technologies are internally dynamic and mutually reinforcing in terms of technological change, and they have an enormous green potential. Thus, the idea of
THE MANUFACTURERS OF DIGITAL EQUIPMENT WERE BORN IN TIMES OF CHEAP OIL AND RESOURCE ABUNDANCE, AND MOST HAVE CONTINUED WITH ENERGYAND MATERIALS-INTENSIVE MODELS OF MASS PRODUCTION. the twin transition is both misguided and right. It is misguided because there is no two-way interaction: green technologies do not lead to any dynamic improvements in the digital economy. Yet it is right because digital technologies—while often overlooked in climate mitigation discourse—are in fact the main source of much green technological change. For example, blockchain technology can be used by companies to increase traceability of inputs, ensuring sustainable sourcing and increasing opportunities for enhanced recycling. The Internet of Things (IoT) could reduce overall demand for power; big-data analysis could identify ways to reduce materials and resource waste; artificial intelligence could help to increase the efficiency of wind turbines and optimize electricity grids to make them smarter, more interactive, and greener. The list goes on. One of the most notable features of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) that is only beginning to be taken full advantage of now is its intangible nature, and hence its capacity to turn products into services. We are now consuming books in digital and audio formats, reducing paper manufacturing, keeping more trees as carbon sinks, and thanks to the pandemic, much of our work can now be done online—lessening the need to commute and travel by plane. COP 28 | 53
Addressing the Digital Revolution’s Climate Unfriendliness However, the digital revolution has not taken the best direction. It continued with the energy- and materials-intensive model of mass production and the “planned obsolescence” strategy of annual models for replacement and no maintenance. Regulation for basic standards, interoperability and refurbishment are needed. Equally, for electrical appliances, laws to make importers responsible for the full life-cycle and prohibiting the use of municipal garbage systems, would lead to a rental and maintenance business model, with clear preference for long-term durability, with digital passports for each product and web-based software for diagnosis and 3-D printing of parts. Millions of maintenance jobs would ensue to serve consumers, as well as for end-of-life disassembly and recycling. In addition, long-life appliances would facilitate global access to the consumption ladder and create a digitally assisted way of massive job creation in both the Global North and the Global South. Overcoming age-old habits of production and consumption is a fight against inertia, and it is also risky for investors. Unless governments change the playing field in such a way that it becomes more profitable to invest in the new, greener technologies than in the old ones—and incentivizes consumers to shift to the new ways—it will not happen. Regulations must also clearly indicate the preferred direction of innovation and investment within the range of the new technological potential. But, given that the profitability of green transition projects implies unknown risks, it will crucially depend on government policy in their favour. Each technological revolution has required an adequate socioinstitutional framework to give it direction, and giving a clear green direction to the digital revolution is now crucial. Both innovation and investment must be reoriented away from the traditional profit models of mass production and toward transformative green innovation. Digital innovation 54 | D I PLOM AT I C CO URIE R
can usher in these green changes, but only if governments provide clear incentives and signposting through policy, regulation, taxation, and major societallevel projects and missions. When policy and decision makers convene at COP28, they should use the opportunity to advance the mitigation discourse and begin putting in place systematic frameworks for harnessing the power of digital technology capable of combating climate change. They should unite to drive innovation and investment convergence and make global public goods profitable. It is time to redirect the digital revolution toward the benefit of the planet and the people. ***** About the authors: Dr. Carlota Perez is an Honorary Professor at IIPP-UCL and at SPRU, University of Sussex, UK; Adjunct Professor at the Nurkse Institute, Taltech, Estonia, and Academic in Residence at Anthemis UK. Dr. Rasmus Lema is an Associate Professor at the United Nations University – Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (UNU-MERIT) and Professor GES 4.0 at the University of Johannesburg. ***** Editor’s Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations University.
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Climate Resilient Food Systems Require Innovations in Finance By Beverley J. Postma
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he world is facing a critical problem of delivering a sustainable and secure food supply for its growing population against a backdrop of climate change. By 2050, the population of Southeast Asia alone is expected to reach 700 million and food demand is estimated to increase by 40%. This is coupled with an increasing scarcity of viable land and water, and the wider impact of climate volatility on all major food-producing areas. It is evident that system-wide transformation is required to accelerate the transition of our global food chains to a more climate-ready future. Sustainable agricultural technologies hold the key for this transformation, but outdated financing solutions are holding many regions back. Technological innovations can improve resource efficiency, minimize the environmental impacts of farming, and enhance overall productivity—but only if farmers can afford them. The global smartfarming market is expected to account for over $33 billion by 2030, and, with consumer demand for sustainable food poised for explosive growth in the next decade, this presents a significant opportunity. However, the benefits of technological advancements are unlikely to be fully realized unless capital flows can reach the smallholder farmers who lie at the front line of climate change. In Southeast Asia alone, there are over 70 million small- and medium-sized enterprises and smallholder farmers who constitute a significant portion of the global agricultural supply base. This represents a large and untouched opportunity to develop technology that will equip them with the tools to transform their farming practices and enhance productivity. However, these small businesses face many barriers that hinder their adoption of technology. Both farmers and governments are receptive toward strategies to boost yield, reduce waste, and build resilience. Yet most agree that the high costs of implementation are simply out of reach for many rural economies due to flaws and inequities in traditional finance models.
THE GLOBAL SMARTFARMING MARKET IS EXPECTED TO ACCOUNT FOR OVER $33 BILLION BY 2030, AND, WITH CONSUMER DEMAND FOR SUSTAINABLE FOOD POISED FOR EXPLOSIVE GROWTH IN THE NEXT DECADE, THIS PRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT OPPORTUNITY. Adopting new technologies typically requires a capital investment of less than $15,000 per farm and yet access to this type of financing is one of the most cited barriers to participation. The latest agricultural technological innovations are designed to disrupt a traditional industry, but innovations in the necessary investment models have not kept pace. To date, there has been a failure across the sector to provide the necessary capital in a way that de-risks the process for lenders and borrowers. Funders have historically lacked the convening power to bring the right players to the table along the food value chain. Furthermore, misconceptions around credit risk, returns, and supply chain capacity remain the biggest challenges limiting investment capacity. Public-private partnerships can alleviate this challenge by offering innovative and blended approaches to financing to tackle the current fragmented capital flows by bringing together a wide range of stakeholders who can unlock the opportunity for agri-technology. By harnessing investments and partnership from governments, impact investors, financial institutions, philanthropists, and agricultural stakeholders who see value in blended investments, we can maximize the amount of capital available for smallholder farmers. In addition, novel approaches to financing can be introduced including access to long COP 28 | 57
tenure loans with more gender-inclusive, flexible repayment schedules and access to larger loan amounts to allow for upfront capital investments in facilities as entrepreneurial farmers (especially women) adopt new climate-proof practices supported by innovative technology. The benefits to the agricultural sector from implementing innovative technology and providing associated training have already been shown to have a positive impact on both the planet and productivity. This is essential if we are to reassure investors that sustainable farming is a profitable venture. One example that effectively demonstrates this value is the Coffee Task Force in Vietnam, a project incubated by Grow Asia, which has trained over 50,000 farmers on good environmental practices. The program has already lowered greenhouse gas emissions by 40,000 metric tons of CO2 and reduced the amount of irrigation water used by 21 million cubic meters. This has translated into lowering production costs by $220 per hectare and generated savings of $12 million annually for smallholder coffee farmers. Projects like this serve as a critical reminder of how by working together, funders can unlock the potential of sustainable agriculture as a solution to climate change, and at the same time ensure a thriving and food-secure future. Securing our global food supply in the face of rapidly worsening effects of climate change hinges on ensuring equitable access to innovative farming practices. In Southeast Asia alone, it is estimated that $800 billion of investment in the agricultural sector is required in the next decade to meet consumer demand and fortify supply chains. Investing in innovation is one critical area that can pave the way for long term resilience and sustainability capable of withstanding the climate challenges ahead. This resilience extends beyond individual farmers; it encompasses communities, regions, and global food systems. ***** About the author: Beverley J. Postma is the Executive Director of Grow Asia. 58 | D IPLOM AT I C COU RIE R
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Advancing Youth Climate Action from Global to Local Levels By Blair Glencorse and Aly Rahim
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OP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh proved to be a breakthrough for Global South countries most impacted by climate change. For three decades, they had been demanding compensation for loss and damage caused by climate disasters, to no avail. Rich countries finally agreed to establish a Loss and Damage (L&D) Fund to support Global South countries beyond climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. Following the initial excitement, questions have now focused on how this fund will be financed and managed, with recipient countries demanding the “new fund” not take away f rom existing adaptation and mitigation or development and humanitarian funding. Against this backdrop, COP28 will be yet another defining moment. Important decisions about the fund and its setup will be made during COP28 based on the recommendations of a Transitional Committee. The urgency to support countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate disasters provides a unique window of opportunity to collectively design a climate finance architecture that promotes and protects citizens’ voices, ensures participation, mainstreams transparency and social accountability, and prevents reprisals. We call this “green accountability” and it is a key to unlocking a more sustainable and just future for all of us.
Why Green Accountability? The Loss and Damage Collaboration and the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung have estimated that a minimum of $400 billion will be needed annually to finance loss and damage. For example, according to Pakistan’s climate minister, climate stress results in costs of about 9% of national GDP annually. Achieving the loss and damage target, and most importantly, ensuring it reaches the most vulnerable communities, will take a collective effort. However, the current discussion and action frameworks around climate finance are siloed, opaque, and unequal. Governments and multilateral institutions are focused on capital op-
GREEN ACCOUNTABILITY PROVIDES A WAY FORWARD AND PUTS INTO PRACTICE WHAT HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR DECADES—THAT AFFECTED COMMUNITIES ARE BEST PLACED TO IDENTIFY AND FIND SOLUTIONS TO THEIR CHALLENGES. timization, while civil society actors have called for more transparent, equitable, and accountable climate finance mechanisms to ensure funding reaches the targeted communities. Green accountability provides a way forward and puts into practice what has been known for decades—that affected communities are best placed to identify and find solutions to their challenges. Green accountability can build sustainability and equity in several ways through inclusion, localization, effectiveness, and conflict prevention. First, green accountability is the only way to bring historically marginalized communities into decision-making processes that affect them. The influx of vast funds quickly, especially in contexts already prone to weak governance, carries the risks of exclusion, corruption, and misallocation of funds. Evidence shows that emergencies, including natural disasters, increase the risk of diversion and misuse of public resources, slowing down disaster relief efforts and adding to the cost. Engaging local communities representing diverse local groups in the co-creation and oversight of projects will minimize such risks. Second, green accountability ensures feedback loops between citizens and governments that can inform local priorities and provide oversight from the bottom up COP 28 | 61
GREEN ACCOUNTABILITY APPROACHES CAN PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN HELPING TO MITIGATE CONFLICT BY PROVIDING CHANNELS FOR CONSTRUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT, VOICE, AND AGENCY LED BY CIVIL SOCIETY. in ways that can build accountability over time. The context and community needs can change quickly when hit by climate disasters. For instance, during the 2022 flooding in Pakistan, community needs varied—from food to health and sanitation to information. Real-time feedback from communities and civil society can help with accurate needs assessments to deliver reliable information and target relief efforts. Green accountability mechanisms are especially relevant for such emergencies because they create a rapid feedback and adaptation platform. Third, green accountability ensures the limited funds available for loss and damage are spent effectively with better outcomes. This can be achieved by supporting multistakeholder platforms across governance levels that communicate priorities and devolving climate finance down to the local level, where only 10% of climate finance is currently allocated. A pilot project for locally-led climate action is currently being implemented nationwide in Kenya in partnership with the World Bank. It could provide valuable lessons to scale up such initiatives in other countries. Finally, regardless of the country setting, all climate projects are susceptible to risks of conflict. This risk mainly arises from differing perspectives about local priorities and strategies or unequal access to benefits. Such risk is higher for climate projects,
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as resources must be allocated as quickly as possible without the time needed to develop robust public finance management systems. Green accountability approaches can play a crucial role in helping to mitigate such conflict by providing channels for constructive engagement, voice, and agency led by civil society.
Never Too Late The agreement to establish the L&D Fund shows that it is never too late for the global community to find consensus on contentious issues. Stakeholders still need to discuss and find agreements around some sticky points in follow-up conversations at COP28. Among other topics, the governance and management of the funds and whether there are systemic mechanisms to channel the voices of community and civil society meaningfully will determine the success or failure of the “historic win” from COP27. ***** About the authors: Aly Rahim is head of the Global Partnership for Social Accountability and Global Lead for Citizen Engagement for the World Bank. Blair Glencorse is Co-CEO of the Accountability Lab.
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Promoting Sustainable Development through Tourism in the Caribbean By Alejandro Trenchi and Adam Ratzlaff
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N Secretary General António Guterres has called the Caribbean Basin “ground zero” for the impacts of climate change. While countries in the region have a relatively small carbon footprint, the Caribbean will feel the impacts of climate change more acutely than other regions—particularly in the short term. At the same time, regional economies are heavily dependent on the tourism industry, which are also dependent on the Caribbean as part of their business model. Rethinking how tourism is conducted in the Caribbean and developing public-private partnerships will not only strengthen resilience critical for Caribbean nations and the tourism industry, but also support sustained economic development. With stunning scenery, pleasant tropical weather, rich cultural heritages, and proximity to the North American market, tourism represents a signif icant and lucrative economic sector for the Caribbean. The decline of the Caribbean’s agriculture industry in the 1980s prompted tourism to become the region’s undisputed economic driver. While in 1970 the region received roughly 4 million visitors, it now receives approximately 28 million visitors annually. Today, tourism accounts for 13.9% of the regional GDP as well as 15% of regional employment. Despite the importance of tourism to the regional economy and the growth in the number of visitors, the impact of growing tourism in the region has declined as the relative importance of the cruise industry in the region has expanded. According to the Caribbean Development Bank, while real tourist expenditure grew from $6.8 billion in 1989 to $13.1 billion in 2014, the average expenditure per visitor declined by 30.1%. Some of this is due to the growth of the cruise industry in the region. While a long-stay tourist spends approximately one week in their destination, a cruise passenger only stays one day in the country of arrival—with many choosing to stay aboard the ship. On average, a cruise ship tourist spends 94% less than a long-stay
WHILE THE REGION’S ECONOMY SHRANK AS A RESULT OF BOTH THE 2008 FINANCIAL CRISIS AND COVID-19, THE REGION IS PARTICULARLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND NATURAL DISASTERS. tourist. The result is fewer economic opportunities for local economies.
The Caribbean’s Climate Vulnerability This reliance on tourism makes the Caribbean extremely vulnerable to external shocks, raising doubts about the region’s ability to provide long-term, sustained economic growth. While the region’s economy shrank as a result of both the 2008 financial crisis and COVID-19, the region is particularly susceptible to climate change and natural disasters—particularly hurricanes which have devastated regional economies. Scientists expect that more devastating hurricanes, droughts, heat waves, and other climate changerelated events will pose increasing threats to the region. The danger of climate change and worsening natural disasters is not only a problem for the governments and peoples of the Caribbean but also for the private sector. Companies will face greater risks and may lose out on important business. The threat of more devastating hurricanes as well as biodiversity loss poses significant concerns for the profitability of Caribbean tourism. Extreme weather events and pollution endangers the region’s most valued tourism assets such as coral reefs, beaches, and tourism infrastructure including ports. Given these concerns, it is vital for the private sector to engage with regional governments to strengthen climate resilCOP 28 | 65
WHILE CLIMATE CHANGE REPRESENTS AN EXISTENTIAL THREAT, THERE IS A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY TO REIMAGINE HOW TOURISM WORKS IN THE CARIBBEAN WITH AN EYE TOWARD A MORE PROFITABLE, SUSTAINABLE, AND EQUITABLE FUTURE. ience and climate-proof their businesses. While this should be done across the private sector, the cruise industry should play a leading role in supporting these efforts given that the Caribbean represents approximately 43% and 46.7% of total cruise passengers in 2019 and 2022, respectively. While cruise lines note that they have taken important steps, more can be done. One way that governments and the cruise industry can collaborate to develop publicprivate partnerships is to increase the amount of time that cruise ships spend in port rather than traveling between destinations. By leveraging the positions of cruise ships as portable hotels, cruise lines can encourage individuals to arrive via alternative means and provide the opportunity for guests to spend greater time on location.
but increase its competitiveness and secure long-term inclusive economic growth. Cruise lines can leverage their access to international finance to develop public-private partnerships that invest in key infrastructure.
The Caribbean remains among the world’s most indebted regions—with an average public debt to GDP ratio of 90.8% in 2021. In addition to its high debt, the region’s middle-income status places further structural constraints both in terms of financial and human capacity to boost resilience and economic growth, and policy makers need to implement innovative solutions to not only boost the tourism industry’s resilience,
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While climate change represents an existential threat, there is a window of opportunity to reimagine how tourism works in the Caribbean with an eye toward a more profitable, sustainable, and equitable future. Looking for partnerships between Caribbean governments and the cruise sector may provide an important space to ensure more equitable development in the Caribbean while also ensuring that the cruise industry does not lose its most valuable asset—the locations of its cruises.
About the authors: Alejandro Trenchi is a research associate with Global Americans’ Climate Change in the Caribbean Project. Adam Ratzlaff is a specialist and consultant in Inter-American affairs.
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How Simple Changes in Daily Life Can Help the World Achieve Net Zero
By Joni Jupesta
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hile low carbon technology must play an important role to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, alone it may not be enough. We should also reduce energy demand to signif icantly cut GHG emissions, particularly in developing countries where the introduction of new technologies may be uneven. Demand-side mitigation, according to a recent report f rom the IPCC, includes changes in inf rastructure use, end-use technology adoption, and socio-cultural and behavioral change. Demand-side measures and new methods of end-use service provision have the potential to reduce emissions in end-use sectors by 40–70% by 2050, while some regions and socioeconomic groups require additional energy and resources. Demand-side options are low-hanging f ruit for climate mitigation that can feasibly be achieved at very low cost in individual daily life. Simple changes in one’s daily life habits including in our diet, in the way we commute, and how we work can go a long way toward reducing our carbon footprint.
Options for Demand-Side Emissions Mitigation Climate action through social cultural or behavior changes include reducing food waste and meat consumption, adjusting indoor temperatures, adopting teleworking, turning off lights during the daytime, and promoting active mobility through exercise and biking. Options for demand-side mitigation in infrastructure include reducing food waste across supply chains, using public transport, pursuing highly efficient space building, and establishing distribution networks for recycling industrial waste. End-use technology adoption can contribute to mitigation through, for example, producing high-protein meat from insects in addition to conventional farming, green procurement, advances in energy efficiency, and construction methods using more renewable energy.
SIMPLE CHANGES IN ONE’S DAILY LIFE HABITS INCLUDING IN OUR DIET, IN THE WAY WE COMMUTE, AND HOW WE WORK CAN GO A LONG WAY TOWARD REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT. Due to COVID-19, teleworking has now become more prevalent among working individuals. Research shows that during the pandemic, energy use in buildings showed a small increase in demand of 5 EJ (3% increase), as growth in residential energy has been only partially offset by reductions in commercial and public building energy use. With an increasing number of people staying at home during the lockdowns, CO2 emissions f rom commercial off ices decreased as they were not fully occupied. As a result of these observed changes, total CO2 emissions in 2020 were around 7% or 3 Gt lower than they would have been without the pandemic. Another example of incremental yet important steps which are being taken toward sustainability are food delivery companies. Very often these companies, through their digital apps, provide customers with single-use food packaging and cutlery, which contributes to GHG emissions and environmental pollution. Yet some food delivery companies are already adding “green nudges” to their apps, thereby encouraging users to reduce plastic waste by earning special reward points. These are several examples where changing individual habits could have signif icant demand-side impacts on GHG emissions.
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END-USE TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION CAN CONTRIBUTE TO MITIGATION THROUGH, FOR EXAMPLE, PRODUCING HIGH-PROTEIN MEAT FROM INSECTS IN ADDITION TO CONVENTIONAL FARMING, GREEN PROCUREMENT, ADVANCES IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY, AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS USING MORE RENEWABLE ENERGY. How Japan is Encouraging Demand-Side Emissions Mitigation The Ministry of Environment of Japan launched a new sustainability movement in late 2022 encouraging citizens and consumers to change their behaviors and lifestyles to help achieve the country’s carbon neutrality in 2050. It calls for individuals to adopt several simple yet impactful lifestyle changes—such as using more efficient energy at home, using smart transport systems, adopting sustainable fashion, and reducing waste—that would help to achieve a decarbonized society within ten years. For instance, based on the estimates provided by the Ministry of Environment of Japan, installing solar panels on rooftops is estimated to reduce electricity cost by $380 (per capita) each year, while insulating windows, roofs, walls, and floors could save an annual $670. Working from home could save working individuals an annual $440 and reduce their commuting time by 275 hours. Energy savings from shifting to LED lighting are estimated at $20 and save 0.4 hours/year while home appliances (refrigerator, air conditioner, and home energy management systems) (HEMS) could help save $200 each year. 70 | D I PLOM AT I C CO URIE R
“Cool biz”—a campaign launched by the government to encourage workers to dress down in Summer—could save each individual an annual $30 by reducing air conditioning (AC) room temperature. This new movement could also inspire other countries, by promoting similar lifestyle changes to reduce individual carbon footprint in homes, offices, schools, and local communities. To overcome the climate crisis, the world urgently needs to achieve de-carbonization. This will require not only transforming the energy supply system and adopting renewable energy, but also reducing energy demand. Improving energy efficiency through so-called Low Energy Demand (LED) in both developed countries (like Japan) and developing ones will accelerate megatrends such as the digital economy, the circular economy, and the sharing economy. Japan has been promoting Low Energy Demand with a focus on well-being through minimal yet potent lifestyle changes. This sustainable movement put forward by the Japanese Ministry of Environment could easily be adapted and adopted in other countries as well to help reduce their carbon footprint by implementing similar simple changes in their population’s daily habits. ***** About the author: Dr. Joni Jupesta is a Research Fellow and Academic Associate at the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS). ***** Editor’s Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations University.