From November 6-18th, 2022, Egypt hosted the 27th UN Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh on climate change. As a youth organization advocating for nature and for climate justice we managed to convene a delegation in attendance at COP27 with a view to building on previous successes and paving a way for the future.
R40 COP27 delegation in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt COP27, as the international high-level climate conference offered a chance to discuss topics that were crucial for the planet and a chance to put the resolutions from COP26 into practice. In a way, it was a crucial turning point in restoring international unity and carrying out the historic Paris Agreement as the world faces a food and energy crisis, an increase in extreme weather events, and record greenhouse gas concentrations.
WHO WE ARE, AND WHAT R40 DID AT COP27
Akufuna Muyunda, speaking at the SDGs Pavilion
As we are a continental youth climate action network that educates, equips, & establishes youth to lead on nature and climate solutions, we had a golden opportunity to have delegates from 6 different African countries and harness their critical skills, experiences, and ideas on how to better mitigate and adapt to climate change. They defended that young people must become key partners in shaping solutions which take into account the climate and biodiversity nexus and are done within an intergenerational framework. The R40 delegation also participated in a myriad of in-person and online events, panels and side-events, collaborating with other youth-led organizations and International partners to showcase and amplify our work. Our motivation was and always is that youth have the skills, potential and experiences needed to meaningfully contribute to climate solutions and negotiations and we prove that through our work on the ground and our voices.
As we are a continental youth climate action network that educates, equips, & establishes youth to lead on nature and climate solutions, we had a golden opportunity to have delegates from 6 different African countries and harness their critical skills, experiences, and ideas on how to better mitigate and adapt to climate change. They defended that young people must become key partners in shaping solutions which take into account the climate and biodiversity nexus and are done within an intergenerational framework. The R40 delegation also participated in a myriad of in-person and online events, panels and side-events, collaborating with other youth-led organizations and International partners to showcase and amplify our work. Our motivation was and always is that youth have the skills, potential and experiences needed to meaningfully contribute to climate solutions and negotiations and we prove that through our work on the ground and our voices.
ALL THE WAY FROM GLASGOW, TO SHARM AND TO DUBAI THIS YEAR, OUR MESSAGE IS CLEAR:
UN CLIMATE TALKS: WHAT WERE THE MAIN OUTCOMES?
Some of the main outcomes of the UN climate talks were:
- The need for funding for loss & damage was finally officially acknowledged by richer nations
- Fossil fuel interests are not going down without a fight
- Agricultural production has finally come under scrutiny – but food systems’ transformation still lacks visibility.
The “implementation” and “African” COP did not live up to its name but momentum is building elsewhere. Falling short of many accomplishments, several commitments are now expected to be defined next year at COP28 in Dubai.
BUT, WHAT DID IT MEAN FOR THE R40 TEAM TO BE PRESENT ON THE GROUND?
- It was the first time we had our very own Resilient40 observers launch a report at such an international climate negotiation space
- It was the first time several of our team members met other African collaborative youth in person – after working together online for years. The power of in-person meetings cannot and should not be underestimated
- It saw the communal effort of youth partners come to fruition. To mention a few milestones, for the first time ever there was a Children & Youth Pavilion at a COP
COP27 was an amazing platform: we had the first and ever Children &Youth Pavilion which gave us the space to share experiences on climate crises and youth-oriented solutions, have fun and connect with each other.
As Resilient40, our team got opportunities to speak at different events and also meet each other and share funnies at different receptions.