External event 30 Nov, 2023

COP28: CEESP Engagements and Events

The 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) will convene from 30 November to 12 December 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

The 28th session of the Conference of Parties (COP28) is starting next week! Many IUCN CEESP members are attending, which allows opportunities to meet and share information. We are beyond excited for our Commission members to showcase their work. 

Click here for all IUCN events and links to live sessions. Please see more details below on CEESP engagements and member events. 

See the full programme of IUCN Pavilion Events here

More Information: 

November 30, 2023 (16:00): IUCN's Key Messages for COP28

Location: IUCN Pavilion, Thematic Area 4: TA4-135

Commissions Member Lead: IUCN 

Speakers: 

  • Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General 
  • Sandeep Sengupta, IUCN Global Policy Lead 
  • Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, IUCN Climate Crisis Commission Chair
  • Christina Voigt, IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law Chair 
  • Kristen Walker-Painemilla, IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic, and Social Policy

 

November 30, 2023 (17:30-18:30): Harmonious Coexistence with Nature: Smart Grid Systems

Location: IUCN Pavilion 

Commission Member Lead: China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation

 

December 1, 2023 (19:00-21:00): Act 30 Informational Reception 

Location: IUCN Pavilion

Commission Member Lead: IUCN PCA team – Aissa Traore 

Description: A reception with a focus on sharing information about what Act30 intends to do and promoting our approach of co-designing and co-delivering with IPs and LCs. 

 

December 2, 2023 (09:30-10:30): Indigenous Peoples & Local Communities Access to Climate and Biodiversity Finance 

Location: IUCN Pavilion, Thematic Area 4: TA4-135

Commission Member Lead: Kristen Walker-Painemilla, Chair IUCN CEESP 

Speakers: 

  • Kristen Walker-Painemilla, IUCN CEESP Chair/ Conservation International
  • Lucy Mulenkei, International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Biodiversity
  • Onel Maserdule, Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform
  • Anita Tzec, IUCN Indigenous Peoples and Conservation Programme
  • Luis Barquin, Conservation International 
  • Fany Kuiru, Coordinating Body of Indigenous Organisations of the Amazon Basin 
  • Male Ole Kaunga, IMPACT Kenya / GEF Inclusive Conservation Initiative 

 

December 2, 2023 (10:00-10:30): Press conference: Amplifying voices of hope and resilience

Location: Press Conference Room 2, Zone B6, Building 77, Blue Zone 

Commission Member Lead: Brahma Kumaris 

Speakers: 

  • Sister Jayanti, Addl. Admin Head of Brahma Kumaris
  • Golo Pilz, Energy Adviser Brahma Kumaris
  • Lindsey Fielder Cook, Quaker UN Office, Rep. for the Human Impacts of Climate Change

 

December 2, 2023 (14:30-15:45): Achieving Synergistic Climate and Biodiversity Outcomes through Nature-based Solutions

Location: IUCN Pavilion, Thematic Area 4 (TA4-135) 

Commission Member Lead: IUCN Commissions 

Speakers: 

  • Razan Al Mubarak, IUCN President and UN Climate Change High-Level Champion
  • Manuel Pulgar Vidal, IUCN Climate Crisis Commission Chair 
  • Christina Voigt, IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law Chair
  • Rima Jabado, IUCN Species Survival Commission Deputy Chair
  • Ayman Cherakout, IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law Deputy Chair 
  • Kristen Walker-Painemilla, IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic, and Social Policy Chair 
  • Madhu Rao, IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas Chair 
  • Sean Southey, IUCN Commission on Education and Communication Chair
  • Angela Andrade, IUCN COmmission on Ecosystem Management Chair 

 

December 2, 2023 (16:00-17:15): Empowering Women and Girls and Building Climate Resilience: How the biodiversity and reproductive health sectors can achieve greater results for people & planet.

Location: IUCN Pavilion 

Commission Member Lead: Carina HIrsch and David Johnson, Margaret Pyke Trust and the IUCN Biodiversity & Family Planning Task Force 

Aims of event: 

  • Promote the concept of FP2030 Commitments to environmental organisations
  • Promote the concept of PHE programming to conservation organisations and PSI
  • Launch the new publication about PHE, featuring PSI, Ipas and Conserve Global
  • Mark inclusion of family planning in the new Global Species Action Plan
  • Announce new conservation action plan, and its reference to RH, FP and PHE
  • Further build a relationship with IUCN re increased references to reproductive choice.

 

December 2, 2023 (19:00-21:00): IUCN Members, Commissions, and Partners Reception 

Location: IUCN Pavilion, Thematic building 4 (TA4-135), Blue Zone

Description: This reception is one of the many events that will be hosted at the IUCN Pavilion, which aims to bring together the different parts of the Union for impactful engagements. In this way, we hope that the IUCN Pavilion becomes the Home of the Union at COP28.

 

December 3, 2023 (11:45-12:45): The linkages between Climate Change and Health: Harnessing the role of integrated approaches in addressing climate change impacts

Location: Ethiopian Pavilion, Blue Zone

Commissions Member Lead: Endashaw Mogessie 

 

December 3, 2023 (16:00-17:00): Panel Discussion: The (in)visible Health Risks of Climate Change 

Location: M42 Green Zone Space 

Commission Member Lead: Dr. Suzan Shahin, (from IUCN-SSC, SULi)

 

December 4, 2023 (9:30-10:30): Finance & Forests: Unlocking Innovative Financial Models for Natural Capital & Equitable Access

Location: IUCN Pavilion, Blue Zone 

Commission Member Lead: Theresa Keith, FSC 

Description: The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) will use its convening power as a member-based, global NGO to gather diverse actors and ideas from across the world of sustainable finance. We will bring multi-sector participants together to explore the latest in innovative financing models for forests and nature. The event will focus on the alignment of high-integrity standards and reporting mechanisms with natural capital investment strategies and on opportunities to de-risk large-scale investment in the forest sector. Central to this conversation will be the importance of data and impact verification and equitable access to funding by smallholders and Indigenous Peoples. Discussion and exchange will be encouraged among a panel of government, multilateral, Indigenous Peoples, corporate, financial, and civil society participants.

 

December 4, 2023 (18:30-20:00): An undervalued pathway to climate resilience: Investing in family planning to empower women and girls

Location: SE Room 5

Commission Member Lead: Carina Hirsch, Co-Chair IUCN CEESP Biodiversity and Family Planning Task Force 

 

December 5, 2023 (9:30-10:00): Ethics at the Heart of the Energy Transition

Location: Press Conference Room 2, Zone B6, Building 77, Blue zone 

Commission Member Lead: Brahma Kumaris 

Speakers: 

  • Sister Jayanti, Addl. Admin Head of Brahma Kumaris
  • Golo Pilz, Energy Adviser Brahma Kumaris
  • Dr. Lorna Gold, CEO Faith Invest

 

December 5, 2023 (11:30-13:00): From Policy to Practice: Ethical Considerations and HR Implications for L&D Funding Arrangement

Location: SE Room 7, Blue Zone

Commission Member Lead: Brahma Kumaris, The Lutheran World Federation, All Africa Conference of Churches, Brahma Kumaris, and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Description: The event highlights the urgent need to integrate ethical principles, HR, and intergenerational justice into funding strategies for L&D. By fostering inclusive, just and equitable funding mechanisms, we can ensure that the most vulnerable are protected and future generations inherit a sustainable world. Speakers: G77+china negotiator on Loss and damage, Youth Voice from Africa & Asia, Government representative from Small Island Developing States, Representative from the Pacific Conference of Churches.

 

December 5, 2023 (14:45-15:10): Advocating for Inclusive Climate Action 

Location: Bloomberg Green Summit Jumeirah Emirates Towers

Commission Member Lead: Meher M. Noshirwani, Chair of IUCN CEESP Gender Specialist Group

Description: How can we ensure diverse perspectives are central to climate solutions, particularly in communities disproportionately impacted by climate change? We’ll explore the intersection of climate action and gender equality and ways to nurture grassroots-level action.

 

December 5, 2023 (16:00-17:00): Empowering Women in Climate Workshop

Location: Bloomberg Green Summit Jumeirah Emirates Towers

Commission Member Lead: Meher M. Noshirwani, Chair of IUCN CEESP Gender Specialist Group

Description: Women play a crucial role in building a sustainable future. We'll discuss how women across the globe can drive measurable climate impact and overcome gender-related roadblocks to unlock their power.

 

December 5, 2023 (16:45-18:15): Banking on Climate: Going Beyond Climate Finance 

Location: UNFCCC Side Event, Blue Zone 

Commission Member Lead: Theresa Keith, FSC 

Description: This side event will make the case for a holistic approach in tackling climate change and its impacts. It seeks to explore the possibilities of going beyond finance in achieving climate and sustainable development goals to include enhanced policy, innovative technology and capacity building, and new financing mechanisms. It will feature multidimensional perspectives from speakers representing governments, MDBs, private and non-profit institutions to motivate the creation of a collaborative ecosystem and community on holistic approaches to climate change.

 

December 6, 2023 (11:30-12:30): Visionary Leadership for the Transition to Clean Technology 

Location: Faith Pavilion, Blue Zone, Section T2

Commission Member Lead: Brahma Kumaris 

Description: Join our innovative session to engage with clean technology experts and faith-based organizations, uncovering the latest advancements and possibilities for informed decision-making. A visionary mindset is needed to inspire sustainable practices within communities, with faith leaders playing a pivotal role in connecting faith and environmental stewardship with clean technologies like solar power and wind energy. 

Speakers:

  • Abdulla Mohammad Baobeid, Climate Change Co-ordinator, Nahda Makers, Yemen
  • Caitlyn Hughes, Executive Director, Solar Cookers International
  • Golo J. Pilz, Germany Energy Advisor Brahma Kumaris, Initiator of India-One solar thermal power plant; India/Germany
  • Kenneth Nana Amatoeng, Elder of church of Pentecost and President of Abibimman Foundation, Ghana;
  • Moderator Sonja Ohlsson, Brahma Kumaris Focal Point to UNFCCC

 

December 7, 2023 (14:00-17:00): Universities’ Debate on Climate Change: Organized by the Ministry of Culture and Youth

Location: Green Zone, Youth Pavilion 

Commission Member Lead: Dr. Suzan Shahin (from IUCN-SSC, SULi)

 

December 8, 2023 (18:30-19:10): Climate Change Research Network (CCRN): A Climate Policy-Science Workshop: A Gap Analysis on Climate Change Research in the UAE

Location: Blue Zone, UAE Pavilion 

Commission Member Lead: Dr. Suzan Shahin (from IUCN-SSC, SULi)

 

December 9, 2023 (9:00-9:40): A presentation on the Namibia Nature Foundation focusing on our conservation and sustainable development work in Namibia

Location: Namibia Pavilion 

Commission Member Lead: Priscilla Mundilo

 

December 9, 2023 (11:30-13:00): Youth Rising in Solidarity for Environmental Defenders and Safeguarding Lives, Nature and the Future

Location: SE Room 5

Commission Member Lead: David N. Munene

 

December 9, 2023 (12:45-13:45): Nature-Based Solution: Panacea or problem? A debate on the future of biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and resilience

Location: Ethiopian Pavillion, Blue Zone

Commission Member Lead: Endashaw Mogessie

 

December 10, 2023 (12:45-13:45): Climate change Adaptation and Food, Agriculture and Water Nexus: Local Actions and Smallholder Farmers Livelihood

Location: Ethiopian Pavillion, Blue Zone

Commission Member Lead: Endashaw Mogessie

 

December 11, 2023 (13:15-14:15): The Role of Scientific Research and Research Networks in Climate Change Collaborations and Youth Education, Experts’ Panel and Students' Panel Discussion

Location: Green Zone, Greening Education Hub

Commission Member Lead: Dr. Suzan Shahin (from IUCN-SSC, SULi)

 

December 12, 2023 (10:00-11:30): What if water could talk? Meeting of Waters

Location: Entertainment + Culture Pavilion 

Commission Member Lead: Charlotte Qin, Meeting of Waters 

Description: Meeting of Waters is a youth-led art collective that would like to “give water a voice” in the desert at COP28 UAE - United Nations Climate Change Conference. The collective brought together young professionals from the fields of culture, science, humanitarianism and water policy and utilises artistic methodology to illustrate that water is more than just a resource but an embodied source of life interwoven into the culture and history of human civilisation.

 

December 12, 2023 (11:30-12:30): Pathways to Transform: Safeguarding the Cryosphere through Mindset and Lifestyle Shifts

Location: Cryosphere Pavilion, Blue Zone 

Commission Member Leader: Brahma Kumaris 

Description: The urgently needed transformations for safeguarding the cryosphere will only occur with fundamental changes to our mindsets. Such a shift in perspective will lead to reinventing lifestyles, building long-term resilience, and taking a regenerative approach for future pathways. In this intergenerational and cross-sector dialogue, we will discover actionable strategies to make eco-conscious choices that positively impact the cryosphere and contribute to a safe operating space. 

Speakers: 

  • Prof. Mark Lawrence, Scientific Director at the Institute for Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) Potsdam
  • Pam Pearson, Director, International Cryosphere Climate Initiative
  • Golo Pilz, Brahma Kumaris, Adviser Renewable Energy
  • (Moderator) Sonja Ohlsson, Climate Coordinator, Brahma Kumaris