AFRICA YOUTH CLIMATE DIALOGUE
Theme: Achieving Climate Justice through Meaningful and inclusive Youth Engagement;
VENUE: Safari Park Hotel
TENTATIVE DATES: 2nd – 3rd September, 2023
Introduction
Climate change has been classified as the greatest challenge facing the globe. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in its Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) notes that global temperatures are rising and will keep affecting people’s sources of livelihoods and their income levels. Africa is one of the most affected continents albeit minimal contribution to climate change. Making it more vulnerable to climate change risk exposure. made worse by increasing climate change events and disasters, different parts of Africa have recorded severe drought, floods, cyclones, mudslides, desert locust invasion, to mention but a few.
Africa boasts a youthful population with the majority of its population being below the age of 30 years old.[1] It is projected that by 2100 Africa will have a huge youthful population globally compared with the rest of the world. This population is dependent on their governments to utilise the available resources within their countries to ensure that they are provided with quality, affordable and sustainable life, this can be done by directly offering subsidised services or offer an environment that attracts the private sector to invest; offering job opportunities, putting in place good business environment that ensures the youth can innovatively own businesses and grow their economies. Climate change is rendering this to be a pipe dream for most of the natural resources that Africa owns are turning out to be stranded assets and/or being pressured by the environment lobby groups and the Global North not to explore these resources due to their carbon intensive nature or the process of mining that end up destroying the ecosystem leaving African countries at crossroad not knowing which path to pursue.
Africa’s youth have to have a candid conversation on how to effectively transition our economic growth from being carbon intensive dependent to the innovations that are inclined towards environment and ecosystem protection balancing the desire to grow their economies that offer quality life to their citizens and environmental, biodiversity and ecological protection. The best constituent to lead this conversation are youth who have the innovative ideas and stand to gain from a balanced green ecosystem and biodiversity balance should we arrest climate change progression while also stand to lose out from lose out on investments and growth opportunities should the natural resources not be explored, youth are facing a risk of ending up with a destroyed ecosystem should they not deal with climate change risk and challenge. This calls for the Just Transition conversation to be downs-called to the level that the youth can understand.
Justification
Youth are an important constituent within the UN process having been recognized and given a constituency group ‘the Major Groups for Children and Youth (MGCY).’ This has been one of the groups that the youth have engaged in pushing their Agenda via YOUNGO. One of the key outcomes of COP27 was the recognition of Loss and Damage (L&D) the COP27 recommending the establishments of a dedicated fund for Loss and Damage, working towards maintaining a clear intention to keep 1.5°C within reach, holding businesses and institutions to account, pushing for the mobilising more financial support for developing countries and pushing a pivotal role to implement. The other key outcome that Africa was being pushed to adopt was the issue of Just Transition where Africa was asking “We are transitioning from what to where this needs to be explained further for the African youth.
The Africa Climate Week (ACW 2023) is one of four Regional Climate Weeks held this year to build momentum ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference COP 28 in Dubai and the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake, designed to chart the way for fulfilling the Paris Agreement’s key goals. The ACW will be held concurrently with the Africa Climate Action Summit (ACAS) which will be held under the theme of “Africa Together for Bold, innovative and Resourced Climate Action: Unlocking Climate Finance and Green Investments” this will be a high-level political meeting targeting the political class with the outcome dubbed “African Leaders Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change and Call to Action”.
It is in the interest of the African Youth that their voice is heard and their outcomes included in the decision texts that will be communicated to the UNFCCC this call for the youth to organise themselves and discuss relevant topical issues that affect them with the intention of proposing indigenous endogenous climate centric and environment conscious innovations and technologies that assure of sustainable future that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that will assure food and nutrition security. The youth will also need to add their voice on the ongoing Global Stocktake taking into account their respective countries steps that have been taken to implement the National Determined Contribution (NDCs), what role they have played, gaps they identify and how they can have held deal with the challenges hindering the achievement of their respective NDCs implementation.
It is for this reason that Africa Youth Commission (AYC) together with other like-minded partners are desirous of hosting Africa Youth Climate Dialogue Conference during the CCDA prior to the ACW and ACS to influence the position and outcomes of these important meetings. The meeting intends to review the challenges that the youth are facing in Africa drawn from COP27 outcomes with a forward thinking towards COP28 in Dubai, UAE, the meeting also will discuss the and prioritize six proposed topics essential to the African Youth while reviewing the implementation of the NDCs as supported by the Global Stock take preliminary report to ascertain the progress made and preparation for COP28 while aiming to Influence the Conference of the Youth (COY) at COP28.
Main Objective
The main objective of the meeting is to collect the African youth views towards the ACW, ACS, CCDA-XI and COP28 stemming from the shortcomings of COP27 outcome while intending to influence the ACS with political delegation that will be present pushing for an African Youth Voice.
Sub objectives
- To discuss challenges affecting the Africa youth as per the COP27 outcome while looking forward towards COP28
- To review the Global Stocktake while giving recommendations on how to capture their views
- To align Africa youth Ideologies with the five thematic areas of ASW and AU presenting the youth statement at the ACW and ACAS
Expected Results
- A workshop Report
- Youth Statement (To be read at the High level session for the two meetings)
Target Participants
- Youth working in the Climate Change and Environment CSOs
- Climate Activists and influencers
- Faith based Youth movements
- Youth drawn from the National Youth Councils (for the political segment)
Tentative Dates: 3rd – 4th September 2023
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No. |
Topic |
Rationale |
Relevance to the African Youth |
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Climate Migration and Security |
There has been an increase in conflicts which climate change climate has been attributed to be a catalyst |
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Youth Centric Just Transition |
Considering the lack of employment opportunities in Africa, how do we Navigate the job opportunities within the job opportunities that exist in the Hydrocarbons sectors (Coal, Oil, Gas.. etc.) industries. And also how do we ensure stable economies based on the fact that we have this Hydrocarbons as our natural resources |
A stable and sustainable approach towards the JUST Transition will ensure proper economy with great opportunities of dignified jobs for young people in the near future |
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Climate Finance Architecture |
Against the difficulties and bottlenecks in accessing climate finance for meaningful climate action. |
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Carbon Market and Youth |
How does it help offer opportunities for African Youth |
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Technology Transfer (Balance between Technology and Advocacy) |
With the growing interest of young people in the tech space, the increasing brain drain and migration out of the continent in search of tech base skills by some of the best brains from the continent. |
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|
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Loss and Damage |
Consider the frequency and severity that Africa is suffering from climate disasters (The Mozambique’s Cyclones scenario and SA floods) |
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Proposed Topics Venue: Safari Park Hotel.
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Saturday 2nd September |
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Participants arrive during the morning |
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0800 |
Breakfast available |
|
0900-0930 |
Registration and pre-event (showcasing) activity |
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0930-1015 |
Welcome and (re)introductions Introductions of the cluster leads, facilitators and icebreaker. Keith Andere Executive Secretary , Africa Youth commission(AYC) Michael Kakande Chairperson, The Resilient40 (R40) |
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1015-1100 |
Sharing highlights of what the group has done since the original meeting, including individual and collective actions. Discussing expectations of this meeting. Khaduyu Michael, AACJ – Project Lead |
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1100-1130 |
Tea/coffee Plus introductory paired ‘Walk and Talk’ |
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1130-1215 |
2. Climate change: The African context African nations are responsible for just 2-3% of global emissions, but the continent is set to be the worst affected by the devastating impacts of climate change – from changing weather patterns which reduce crop yields to natural disasters which threaten communities and livelihoods. This introductory session focuses on climate change in the Africa and the drivers of climate fragility on the continent to inform the thematic discussions in this conference. It also starts the conversation about what does resilience mean in the African context and for this cluster. Introduction in plenary and discussion in smaller groups to identify the key drivers across the continent, and the local variations. Alfonse Odipo, VSO |
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1215-1300 |
3. The global climate agenda Reflections on the global climate agenda. To include reflections from COP27 as well an introduction to COP28, which the UAE will host in November 2023 and the Africa agenda for it (ACS). Michael Kakande, Resilient40 – Chairperson |
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1300-1400 |
Lunch break |
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1400-1500 |
4. Climate resilience in Africa I: Sustainable development in a low/no carbon economy What is needed to become ‘resilient’ to climate change in the African context? The following two sessions will give the youth a chance to look closer at what ‘resilience’ means in two specific contexts. In this session what will low or net zero emissions and clean growth look like in the African context? What is the magnitude of any transition? What are African countries already doing to build resilience that others can learn from? How to ensure the necessary transition towards meeting the SDGs and that is sustainable, fair and just? How can youth assist in this transition? |
|
1500-1600 |
5. Climate resilience in Africa II: nature-based solutions To include focus on nature-based solutions for climate change (including land use, soils, forests, oceans and biodiversity). |
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1600 |
Group convening reports from their respective rapporteurs |
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1700 |
Evening tea/coffee break |
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1745-1800 |
Youth informal discussions and departure |
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Sunday 3rd September |
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0700-0745 |
Pre-breakfast optional activities/showcasing |
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0800-0900 |
Breakfast on arrival |
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0845 |
Briefing for session co-facilitators |
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0900-1030 |
6. Climate resilience in Africa in practice: discussion in-working groups Youth will have time to discuss in more depth an area of specific interest to them. The themes have been selected because of the wider interests of the group and where individuals have expertise to share. Introduction in plenary followed by discussion in smaller groups. Participants will choose their preferred topic and will have the opportunity to move to another group half way through if they would like to. Within each topic area the groups will discuss the following questions: · Focusing on how to build resilience in each theme, what are the potential actions, whether small-scale or large, that Africa and Africans can do? What would these actions look like, who should be responsible etc?) · What can or should the youth do in these areas, both directly and indirectly? (identifying 1 or more actions for the cluster itself and talk through what that action would look like in practice). a. Climate Migration and Security b. Youth Centric Just Transition (Purity Lihabi – Energy Expert) c. Climate Finance Architecture d. Carbon Market and Youth e. Technology Transfer (Balance between Technology and Advocacy) f. Loss and damage
Session to include feedback from discussions Moderator: Abel Neves, Executive Director – Visão Juvenil |
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1030-1100 |
Tea/coffee |
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1100-1145 |
7. Climate resilience in Africa in practice: feedback and #NSA Youth actions Small groups will feedback. Plenary discussion about how the #NSA Youth cluster can take some of these issues forward. |
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1145-1230 |
8. – the next steps Plenary introduction by the Cluster leads, followed by working groups and concluding discussion in plenary to agree and finalise: · The conference youth statement; · How to influence the Africa Climate Action Summit, ACW; · The advocacy and future opportunities for the group in the lead up to COP28.
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1230-1300 |
Feedback and agreement on the next steps, advocacy etc
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1300-1315 |
Closing remarks |
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1315-1415 |
Lunch |
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1415-1600 |
Colleagues Join the Other sessions within the CCDA-XI events. |
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Participants depart |
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This is a preview programme and as such may be subject to change. This is an invitation only dialogue.
Enquiries about participation to: Michael Kakande, T: +256 (0)752 814851
Khaduyu Michael +254 714 615407| E: michael.kakande@resilient40.org
Youth – the next chapter
A brief introduction and overview of what the youth cluster has been doing. Cluster and regional leads will lead this conversation,
touching upon the group’s overall goal and advocacy strategy in the lead up to the Africa Climate Action Summit, Africa climate week and COP28.
Starting the conversation about what the cluster wants to achieve, and how we might do that, including, partnerships and wider engagement. This will be followed up by more in-depth discussion in session.
[1] https://au.int/en/youth-development
As a new year looms ahead, soon leaving behind the remnants of COP27, The Resilient40 reflects on the lessons and takeaways of this year’s climate negotiations and looks ahead to what we can all do on the path towards COP28 in Dubai.
With the overall message being that the climate negotiations fell short of delivering big breakthroughs (such as agreeing to cut global emissions by 2025 or to phase down all unabated fossil fuels), we want to highlight the positive movements rippled throughout COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh and its many side events and convenings – including our own.
While the “Implementation COP” did not quite live up to its expectations as it failed to deliver enough concrete advancements to tackle the climate crisis, the agreement to establish a Loss and Damage Fund is a positive and crucial step towards achieving more climate justice – but only if the funding is sufficient. However, the creation of this fund does not free us from our joint obligation to tackle mitigation and adaptation, which is urgently needed to reduce the negative impacts of climate change.
The Resilient40 was proud to engage and host several pivotal events during COP27, and we will continue to convene with high-level stakeholders from the public and private sectors to support movement in our efforts towards climate, biodiversity and health to support stronger coalition building within Youth, civil society and public-private partnerships.
THE 2023 AFRICAN YOUTH POST COP27 MEETING
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
THEME: Youth-Led Climate Action: Charting a Sustainable Future for Africa /Towards a Climate Resilient Planet: Harnessing the Power of African Youth
MARCH 29, 2023, 2-5 pm
Workshop Report and Agreed Outcomes
Introduction
Young people drawn from various regions of the African Continent met at the African Union Headquarters on the 29th March 2023 to forge strengthened African youths’ engagement in the African climate strategy,take stock of COP27,define priorities for COP 28 and come up with best approaches to mainstream youth positions in the Africa Climate Action Summit to be held on 4 – 6 September 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya.
This workshop was organized by The Resilient40 with support from The African Union Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy Directorate, the UK Office to the African Union and the US Mission to the African Union, on Wednesday 29 March, from 14:00-17:00 in the AU Small Conference Hall 1, on the topic of: “African Youth Voices on Climate Post-COP27”.
To present the recommendations from the afternoon session, the workshop was followed by an evening cocktail reception in the Sheraton Hotel’s Dashen Salon 1, from 18:00-20:00.
Purpose of the workshop
The workshop brought together 30 participants to strengthen African youths’ engagement in climate actions, take stock of COP27,define priorities for COP 28 and the Africa Climate Action Summit to be held 4 – 6 September 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya.
General Outcomes
Agenda Item 1:Opening of the meeting
The meeting co-chairs, Yared Abera from Ethiopia and Sarah Njenga from Kenya called the meeting in order at 2pm,took the delegates through the overview of the meeting,its objectives and the expected outcomes then invited Dr.Sam Ogallah from the African Union Commission to officially open the workshop.In his opening remarks Dr.Sam emphasized that the African Union Climate change strategy positions the youth at the centre of its implementation and the meeting was crucial in setting the stage for rigorous meaningful involvement of the youth from the policy formulation to implementation level.He observed that the upcoming Africa Climate Action Summit is a unique opportunity for the youth from the continent and that the discussions starting at the workshop will inform the planning of the summit.
Agenda Item 2: Presentations on Key items
- From COP27 to COP28 :Dr.Oumnia El Omrani,COP27 Youth Envoy.
Dr.Oumnia delivered a video message highlighting several achievements for the global youth community accruing from the COP27 which was hosted in the African continent.She reiterated that for youth,COP27 had many firsts underscoring that it was the first where the COP Presidency appointed a youth envoy,the youth had a dedicated pavilion which served as a space for very many of their side events and high level discussions.She drew the nexus between climate change and various realms of human development including health,economy,security and how all these disproportionately affect the African Youth.She banked her hope on the enthusiasm and leadership provided by the youth in the continent and called the delegates to continue rising to the climate challenge.
- Plans for a Youth Assembly ahead of the Africa Climate Action Summit:Alphonce Muia
Alphonce made a presentation taking the audience through an explainer on meaningful youth engagement to the AU-led Africa Climate Action Summit to be held in September in Nairobi.He made a case that the Kenyan youth constituency and the office of the AU chairperson’s youth envoy should co-host a 2 day youth Assembly ahead of the summit with the objectives of bringing together the youth from all parts of the continent,providing a platform for them to have policy discussions,exchanging on continental priority issues and showcasing youth led initiatives to combat climate change.The ambition is to ensure that every African country is represented in the assembly and engage to produce policy recommendations to the policy makers and the heads of states.He wrapped up the presentation by observing that the following would strengthen youth engagement to the summit; mobilising sufficient resources for the course,the AUC together with the host government to appoint a youth envoy for this and publicising the idea to galvanise support.
Agenda Item 3: Break out Discussions
The delegates were divided in 3 breakout sessions where they were engaged in fiery discussions and came up with the following recommendations which were presented to the plenary:
Climate and Security:
The group delved deep into discussing the disproportionate burden that climate change has placed on the African continent further exacerbating its fragility to insecurity and conflicts.The Natural resources are dwindling at an alarming rate thereby forcing the communities to compete for them and resource based conflicts have already been witnessed in the continent.Majority of the youth have been trapped in a sprawl of hopelessness with opportunities for livelihood increasingly becoming so scarce and provide a huge recruitment base for the extremist groups which continue to cause terrorism and compromise stability in many parts of Africa.
The group suggested the following inorder to provide a lasting solution:
- That youth need to be provided with opportunities in Green Entrepreneurship driven by indigenous solutions and with Funds by Africans for the youths.
- Creation of youth led think tanks aimed at capacity development and exposure of youth to opportunities on environmental protection.The incubator programs need to be domiciled in universities and research institutions.
- Emphasis on cross border solutions with collaboration and replicating across the regions using the regional intergovernmental systems.
Climate finance and green recovery:
The group took a task of unpacking many pertinent issues in the climate financing landscape including Loss and Damage Fund, Adaptation fund, accessibility of International climate finances, ICF-architecture reforms, public-private-partnerships, green jobs and cleaner economic recovery.
The main concern is that the current levels of climate finance in Africa fall far short of needs in the continent and rapid restructuring is much needed to address this unjust practice.It was also observed that there has been there is mistrust of the African accountability system and that leaders must restore the trust by curbing curruption and other vices.
The group recommended among other things:
- Developing an African youth position on climate finance.
- Strengthening climate finance management mechanisms through engaging national governments in the formation of multi stakeholder platforms to facilitate allocation and management of climate funds with intentional targeting of women and youth led initiatives.
- Creation of a task force of African Youth advocates to develop African inputs into the reform of the International Financial Institution to provide technical and political support to African Leaders,
- Domestication of just transition principles in all sectors: energy, agriculture and forestry etc
Adaptation for Food Security:
The discussions revolved around how big food security is an issue to the African Continent, and ways the youth can contribute to resolve this.Further, the group interrogated the concept of sustainable food production and food systems and finally how to reduce emissions without hindering progress in Developing countries.
The following among other recommendations were suggested:
- Re-evaluating and restructuring educational curricula to raise awareness in young children on adaptation and agriculture/food security, and integrate food security into school curriculums.
- Provide youth and women Access to land and finance and that governments need to set aside funding to support youth and women who are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis
- There has been limited information/research on African Agriculture during international meetings like COP; there was a significant deficit of research in order to establish a common ground for Africa in order to benchmark from each other. The youth have massive potential of sealing this gap.
- The structural difficulties for Africa to have intra-trade and seamless flow of food commodities in the supply chain need to be lifted.
Reception at the Sheraton Hotel’s Dashen Salon 1,
After a busy afternoon at the African Union Headquarters, the African Union Commission with the support of the UK Office to the African Union, and the US
Mission to the African Union hosted an evening reception to celebrate youth empowerment and participation in global climate policy.The reception was attended by the diplomatic corps fraternity and African climate youth leaders from across the continent.The outcomes of the youth meeting were presented by Alphonce Muia to the guests with the clarion call of charting African youth’s priorities on climate in the lead up to COP28 and also setting the stage for the forthcoming Youth Assembly at the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi this September.
Remarks from governments of UK, USA and AUC were made by H.E Madeleine Garlick, UK Ambassador to the AU, H.E Mikael Cleverley, Chargé d’Affaires to the US Mission to the AU and Dr.Sam Ogallah on behalf of Harsen Nyambe, Director of Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, African Union Commission all which reassured the youth of support and meaningful inclusion going forward.