Climate change is a major development concern for Benin. Its impacts are varied and disturb human health, food security, economic development, physical infrastructure, and water resources. Since 2011, UN CC:Learn has been working with the government of Benin and other actors in the country to create and implement a national strategy for climate change learning.

Building a National Climate Change Learning Strategy

Benin has developed a National Climate Change Learning Strategy through a process that engaged a diverse range of stakeholders. In December 2012, the strategy was validated at a workshop in Cotonou that brought together over 50 participants from government sectors, such as environment, economy, education, development, finance, forestry, fisheries, agriculture, energy, water and coastal protection; education and training institutions; civil society; and development partners. An implementation framework was agreed upon.

The strategy is available in French and can be downloaded below:

To support the strategy development and implementation, a background report was developed to identify existing initiatives working towards capacity development and to make sure that the strategy complements and reinforces ongoing work. The report also outlines actions to strengthen climate change education and identifies key organizations working in this field.

The report is available in French and can be downloaded below:

Turning the Strategy into Actions

Some of the key activities aiming to put the strategy into practice include:

Engaging Youth on Climate Change

Benin participated in a Youth Climate Dialogue in May 2016. The dialogue took place between the Collège d’enseignement général 1 d’Abomey-Calavi and Collège la Plénitude from Cotonou and the Collège Anatole France from Tours, in France. This was the first dialogue organized in partnership with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Météo France, as well as CANOPE of the Académie d’ Orléans-Tours (Network of educational creation and pedagogical support), with support from UNDP.

In addition, the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development (MCVDD), with technical and financial support from UNESCO and communication support from UN CC:Learn, organized the first School Competition on Climate Change in 2019 and involved pupils aged 10-15. The top 12 contestants answered questions from a jury in a programme broadcasted by the Office de Radiodiffusion et Télévision du Bénin. The top three contestants received an award from the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development.

Building Public Awareness 

With support from UN CC:Learn and the NDC Partnership, Benin developed a simplified version of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), accompanied by communication materials and campaigns to build a better understanding of climate change across society. Related activities include the organization of radio and TV programmes on climate change and of the National Tree Day 2024, as well as the promotion of a public online platform with information on the NDC. This ongoing effort builds on a series of radio and TV episodes organized in 2020-2021.

Training for Professionals

To kick-start strategy implementation, Benin organized a workshop on climate finance for 30 representatives of the Ministry of Environment and related organizations.  This training was designed to strengthen participants’ capacities to access different climate change funding sources.  In addition, 30 negotiators were trained on climate diplomacy in collaboration with the Institut de la Francophonie pour le Développement Durable, the Centre d’Education à Distance du Bénin and UN CC:Learn.

Experience-Sharing

Benin has regularly been sharing experiences with other partner countries as part of the UN CC:Learn regional hub in West Africa. For further information, please check the West African Hub page.

Our National Partners

Our work in Benin is coordinated by the Ministry of Environment and Transport, in charge of Sustainable Development (Ministère du Cadre de Vie et des Transports, en charge du Développement Durable).

Project News and Activities

Towards a Territorialization of the NDC for Better Adoption by the People in Benin
16 November 2023 | Cotonou, Benin

School Contest Trains Young People of Benin on Climate Change
15 October 2019 | Cotonou, Benin

Mr. Léonce Glèlè Ahanhanzo Presents his Experience as a UN CC:Learn Ambassador
05 August 2015

Training for Climate Negotiators Organized in Benin
23 January 2014 | Ouidah, Benin