The Bonn Climate Conference 2024 (SB60), held from June 3 to 13 in Bonn, Germany, provided an opportunity for countries and stakeholders to advance Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) while exchanging knowledge and experiences.
In an effort to enhance youth capacities, UN CC:Learn joined forces with Youth4Capacity and Rio Impact to co-organize a Climate Classroom on the Rio Conventions. This one-and-a-half-hour session focused on the synergies between the three Rio Conventions (the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – UNFCCC, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification – CCD, and the Convention on Biological Diversity – CBD). The focus of the class was on young people’s engagement and interventions across the conventions. The session included expert presentations, opportunities for Q&A, and an interactive group work segment where participants exchanged ideas and identified opportunities for action.
UN CC:Learn also actively participated in the Dialogue on Action for Climate Empowerment, held on 8 and 10 June 2024, and the ACE Focal Points Academy, held on 10 and 11 June 204. These two events, organized by UN Climate Change, zoomed in on the tools and support required for the implementation of ACE as per the Glasgow Work Programme.
Lisa Maina, from the UN CC:Learn Secretariat, moderating a session in the ACE Academy.
Since 2013, the ACE Dialogues have provided a regular forum for Parties to the UNFCCC and other stakeholders to share their experiences, and exchange ideas, good practices, and lessons learned regarding the implementation of Article 6 of the Convention and Article 12 of the Paris Agreement. At the 2024 ACE Dialogue, Mr. Angus Mackay, Director, Division for Planet, UNITAR and Head of the UN CC:Learn Secretariat, moderated and facilitated different exchanges, which reflected opportunities in accessing tools and support for the implementation of ACE, while providing a space to share good practice examples. Mr. Mackay highlighted the experience of two UN CC:Learn partner countries: the Dominican Republic and Ethiopia.
Following the ACE Dialogue, the ACE Focal Points Academy offered practical discussions and applications related to the tools and support for ACE implementation. Held annually since 2022, the Academy aims to strengthen the network of national ACE focal points at both international and regional levels. It facilitates regular exchanges of views, good practices, and lessons learned to build and enhance capacity and skills, promoting peer support for ACE implementation.
In a session titled “Approaches of engagement: Raising the visibility of ACE in NDC implementation”, Ms. Lisa Maina, from the UN CC:Learn secretariat, presented UN CC:Learn’s experience in supporting Ethiopia in developing an NDC Implementation Plan for Climate Change Education as an example of an approach for fostering joint action within governments and increasing political support in raising the visibility of ACE in NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions). The session featured the presentation of the Ethiopian case study and Q&A with the audience.
In addition to UN CC:Learn, FAO, UNFCCC, UNICEF, Climate & Development Knowledge Network, the Green Environment Facility, Education Cannot Wait, Euroclima+, Youth Climate Justice Fund, as well as several national ACE focal points, and the Governments of Chile and Quebec (Canada), contributed to the Academy’s programme.
Simultaneously, the second edition of the ACE Gallery provided a platform for over 30 exhibitors to showcase their activities aimed at enhancing the implementation of ACE through a series of posters. Featured posters included the Face-NDC project in Zambia and initiatives promoting climate change education in Ghana, which were presented to a wide range of SB60 delegates.
More information about the Gallery and the other exhibitors can be found here.
The UN CC:Learn poster in the ACE Gallery.
Lastly, SB60 served as a networking hub for UN CC:Learn and like-minded partners. Various bilateral discussions have created valuable opportunities moving forward. These discussions have allowed UN CC:Learn and partners to explore synergies to further invest in climate change education initiatives. Such collaborations are essential for advancing global climate change efforts.