Climate Diplomacy Week 2018 - Highlights
It’s that time of the year: once again the Climate Diplomacy Week provided the space for EU delegations around the world to engage with communities and partner organisations on issues of climate change.
Last year the #ClimaDiplo Week was extended to two weeks because there was just too much to do and too little time. This year the EU was prepared for the heightened interest in the topic and decided to host two climate diplomacy weeks. Now enjoy the highlights from the first week and make sure to follow the second week from 24-30 September 2018.
Just like last year, we started the Climate Diplomacy week 2018 by answering a simple but very important question: What exactly is climate diplomacy? This explanatory video packed with insights from high-level experts explains the concept.
The EU Climate Action hosted an event on the EU Adaptation Strategy in Cape Town, South Africa, and found itself in a fully filled room, demonstrating how climate issues are starting to capture the attention of the wider public.
In addition, the EU delegation to South Africa build up an interactive stand at the 5th International Climate Change Adaptation Conference:
The stand was well-received and student groups were given the opportunity to get into dialogue with representatives on the ground.
In the US, the EU delegation hosted a major exhibition on the impact of climate action on national parks. EU Vice-President of the Commission for the Energy Union, Maroš Šefčovič, joined the event. Whit this breath-taking photo, the EU delegation ensured that we are all conscious of what we face losing if we do not act now:
Another thought-provoking exhibition was hosted by the European Union’s delegation to Mexico. The Global Atlas of Desertification 2018 captures the problem of desertification worldwide in fascinating pictures. The event was opened by the Ambassador of the European Union in Mexico, Klaus Rudischhauser.
In Nicaragua, the EU delegation actively informed the public on the manifold initiatives of the European Union and its member states for climate action and climate change mitigation:
The delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina posted this determined picture for action and released a statement, telling the world to step up its climate action game:
Amidst it all, we kept you updated with important information and background knowledge on climate diplomacy and the effects of climate change across the world. For example, we’ve brought to you an explanatory video on the interlinks between climate change and migration:
Another great initiative was organised by the EU Commission in Portugal and other European embassies in Portugal (e.g. UK). Representatives such as the British ambassador to Portugal, Kristy Hayes, cycled together for a good cause – and not even the heavy rain could stop them from doing so:
Not only EU embassies, EU member states and EU officials around the world, but also actors from civil society, international politics and - in this case - the UN World Food Program engaged online with #ClimaDiplo:
And to wrap it all up, the Climate Diplomacy Week ended with a bang: The high level event Climate, Peace and Security: The Time for Action was hosted by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini on Friday, 22nd of June. The event truly captured the essence and power of climate diplomacy. You can read the event highlights here...
…or listen to Mogherini’s full speech here.
See you for the second part of the Climate Diplomacy Week 2018 in September!
Ten years after committing to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, G20 countries still subsidise coal, oil and gas to the tune of around USD 150 billion annually. Peer review of fossil fuel subsidies help push the G20 forward on this issue, but these reviews need to be followed by action. Subsidy reforms could free up resources that could be channeled back into government programmes and on accelerating a clean energy transition.
Let’s adapt – towards the Year of Action
Adapting to climate change and strengthening resilience are becoming priorities for the international community – however, they require greater ambition in climate policy. 107 governments and numerous international organisations have endorsed a call for action on raising ambition at the United Nations Climate Change Summit on 23rd September 2019. Following the summit, the Global Commission on Adaptation will begin its Year of Action to meet the climate challenges ahead. The Year of Action is here to accelerate climate adaptation around the world, to improve human well-being and to drive more sustainable economic development and security.
Organized crime in the Amazon: Illegal mining hotspots
A new form of organized crime has recently been emerging in the Amazon: illegal mining. Miners fell trees, use high-grade explosives for blasting soils and dredge riverbeds. But the impacts go beyond environmental damage, bringing with it a slew of other social problems. Peace researcher Adriana Abdenur urges policymakers to improve coordination and argues that diplomacy may help prevent further conflicts, corruption and crime.
Explainer: ‘Desertification’ and the role of climate change
The severity of desertification and its mutual relationship with climate change cannot be overstated. In light of the recent launch of the Special Report on Climate Change and Land by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Robert McSweeney from Carbon Brief explains what desertification is, what role climate change plays, and what impact it has across the world.