All attendees of the launch event.

The Young Climate Innovators Programme (YCLIP) was officially launched at a launch event at the University of Ghana on 20th August 2024. This comprehensive training programme aims to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to be drivers of innovation in climate action.

 

Read on to find out more.

Youth innovation is crucial for climate action as it brings fresh perspectives, creativity, and energy to the development of sustainable solutions. By empowering young people to lead, we ensure that climate strategies are forward-thinking, inclusive, and resilient, potentially addressing current challenges and future impacts.

In light of this, the Young Climate Innovators Programme (YCLIP) came to life on August 20th 2024 in Accra, Ghana. This initiative, supported by UN CC:Learn, the University of Ghana, the Centre for Climate and Sustainability Empowerment, the HBCU Green Fund, and the Omega Institute, seeks to empower young students to develop and implement innovative climate solutions.

Mr. Hussein Kassim presenting at the launch

Mr. Hussein Kassim, Executive Director of the Centre for Climate and Sustainability Empowerment and organizer of the training programme, presented at the launch.

The YCIP is a comprehensive training programme. The first phase, delivered in collaboration with UN CC:Learn, will involve intensive training for 200 students from the University of Ghana. These students, selected for their diverse academic backgrounds, will undergo one month of training focused on the science of climate change, climate change communication, advocacy, activism, and topics like the green economy and gender and environment.

As part of this initial and qualifying phase, participants will have to complete three UN CC:Learn courses (Climate Change: From Learning to Action, Intro to Green Economy, and Gender and Environment) and participate in three webinar series. At the end of this phase, 25 students will be selected to pursue more in-depth training. This second phase will involve more hands-on experiences, including research work, an entrepreneurship boot camp, community engagement, and the development of innovative solutions in critical areas such as circular economy, biodiversity conservation, renewable energy, water, sanitation and health (WASH), and climate-smart agriculture.

During the launch event, several notable speakers shared their insights and perspectives. Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, Professor at the University of Ghana and Vice Chair of the Working Group 1 of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), expressed her optimism that the programme would foment innovations that could reshape climate action in the future.

“We know that climate change is a global challenge, but it’s also a local challenge because we feel the impact locally. So, we thought that the young people, the youth are very good with innovations, and it’s an opportunity also for us to tap into their innovation and provide solutions for climate change, so we’re engaging them.”

Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse at the launch.

Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse at the launch.

The UN CC:Learn team was present online. Ms. Cristina Rekakavas, Specialist, UNITAR, and coordinator of the UN CC:learn Programme, walked participants through UN CC:Learn, its collaboration with the Government of Ghana, and presented three inspiring climate stories from UN CC:Learn Champions. Mr. Lucas Terra, Training Assitant, UNITAR, presented the UN CC:Learn e-learning platform to the students while showing them how to navigate it and enroll in the courses they need to complete.

The UN CC:Learn Team walking the students through the courses.

The UN CC:Learn Team walking the students through the courses.

The launch of the Young Climate Innovators Programme marks a pivotal moment in Ghana’s climate action journey. The programme’s emphasis on innovation and community engagement ensures that it will raise awareness and foster tangible solutions that can make a real difference in the fight against climate change.

Watch the news report:

A workshop on the “Regional Declaration on Strengthening Climate Change Education in West Africa” took place in Dakar, Senegal, on August 12, 2024. The workshop was another step in the ongoing efforts of the region to ramp up climate change education.

 

Read on to find out more.

West African countries are stepping up their commitments to climate change education. This week, Guinea-Bissau became the seventh country to endorse the “Regional Declaration on Strengthening Climate Change Education in West Africa”, launched at COP28, joining Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Niger, Senegal, and Togo. This development confirms the region’s climate education momentum, which also saw Cabo Verde pledge to sign the Declaration soon.

The signing occurred during a national workshop on the declaration’s implementation hosted by the Government of Senegal on August 12, 2024 . This workshop offered a valuable platform for a diverse group of stakeholders, from government officials to civil society representatives, to engage with the document, understand its objectives, and discuss strategies for enhancing climate change education both nationally and regionally

Mr. Daouda Ngom, Minister of Environment and Green Transition, attended the workshop and answered several questions from the audience.

Workshop session.

The Declaration is emerging as a compelling instrument for countries in the region to push for increased investment in climate change education. West African nations increasingly acknowledge the need for a unified regional approach to ramp up climate change education in the region. The Government of Senegal, for instance, has multiple climate education initiatives underway and plans to explore collaborative opportunities with neighboring countries to maximize the impact of these programs.

Mr. Daouda Ngom gave an interview during the workshop.

Investing in climate education offers significant economic and environmental benefits, particularly in regions with large youth populations.

“Africa has a large and growing young population, with about 60 percent under 25. While the sheer size of this young population poses challenges in terms of providing education and employment, it also brings major opportunities …. in ways that can accelerate economic growth, build resilience, and drive transformational adaptation.” – States and Trends in Adaptation, Global Centre on Adaptation

This declaration stems from a UNITAR-UN CC: Learn initiative, supported by the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS) and Burkina Faso at COP 27 in 2022. The initiative united eight West African states to address the critical issue of funding climate change education to confront the climate crisis.

In the upcoming COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Declaration will keep making waves with several events planned and additional countries expected to become signatories.

Happy woman in Africa smiling.

Niger, represented by the Minister of Hydraulics, Sanitation and the Environment, signed the Regional Declaration on Climate Change Education, reinforcing West Africa’s commitment to the fight against climate change.

 

Read on to find out more.

On Monday, July 29, 2024, Niger’s Minister of Hydraulics, Sanitation and the Environment, Colonel Maizama Abdoulaye, signed the Regional Declaration on Strengthening Climate Change Education in West Africa.

This Declaration is the result of an initiative launched by UNITAR-UN CC: Learn, supported by the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS) and Burkina Faso at COP 27 in 2022. This initiative brought together eight West African states to address the issue of financing climate change education to tackle the climate emergency.

Niger thus becomes the sixth country in the sub-region to endorse this Declaration, which was previously signed by five countries on December 4, 2023 in Dubai during COP 28.

With Niger’s signature, the Declaration is increasingly establishing itself as an essential reference in the fight against climate change in the sub-region. Indeed, the Declaration reflects the determination of countries in the sub-region to make education about change a top priority in the fight against climate change.

It is expected that a larger number of countries will also sign the Declaration in the coming months.

Photo group during the workshop in Benin.
The 2024 World Environment Day in Benin addressed land degradation and desertification, emphasizing the need for land restoration and sustainable practices.
Read on to find out more!

The celebration of the 2024 edition of World Environment Day, on June 5, 2024, was an opportunity for Benin’s Ministry of Livelihood and Transport in charge of Sustainable Development, to mobilize the public for “land restoration, combating desertification and improving resilience to drought”.

In the face of increasing land degradation, Benin counted on awareness-raising to start remedying the visible and worrying damage caused by human activities and restore ecosystem health.

“This requires a firm commitment to restore degraded land, replant trees, protect natural flora, safeguard drylands and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Achieving this will require collective attention backed up by tangible, effective action”, said Professor Pépin Aina, Director General for the Environment and Climate.

The statement was made at an awareness-raising workshop organized as part of World Environment Day with the support of UN CC:Learn and the NDC Partnership as part of a project dedicated to communication and awareness-raising on climate change and Benin’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). The workshop took place against a bleak backdrop: in Benin, some 43,393 km² of land, or 37.36% of the national territory, is recognized as degraded land (UNCCD Report, 2022). In terms of productivity, 43,322 km² of the national territory, or 37.31%, have low productivity. The annual World Environment Day is one of the main channels for raising awareness and taking action to protect the environment worldwide, including in Benin.

Participants at the workshop.

Participants at the workshop.

This year’s World Environment Day focused on a major challenge: the growing problems posed by land degradation, desertification, and drought through the theme of “Land restoration, combating desertification and drought resilience,” highlighting concrete actions to reverse the damage caused to the planet.”

“Today, we have the opportunity to make our voices heard, share our experiences and strengthen our commitment to the environment”. – Prof. Aina.

Following opening messages from the Director General for the Environment and Climate, the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cotonou, the Director of UNITAR’s Planet for Division and the Technical Advisor for Government Reforms, participants were offered in-depth presentations, debates, and recommendations.

Presentations explored, among other things, the impacts of desertification and drought on local communities, the need for sustainable land management practices, innovative approaches to land restoration, improving policies and frameworks to support land restoration initiatives, and improving waste and resource management. In addition, participants also discussed the role of governance in combating environmental degradation and the importance of public awareness and education in promoting environmental management.

The workshop organized in Cotonou underlined the urgency of concerted efforts to meet environmental challenges. By bringing together different stakeholders, encouraging discussion, sharing innovations, and formulating concrete recommendations, the event aimed to pave the way for sustainable land management and greater resilience to environmental stress.

Two women smiling, looking at each other, in front of their computers.

Our new e-course, developed in collaboration with C40 and with the support of Fondation L’Oréal, inspires and equips women with the skills needed to lead inclusive and effective climate initiatives.

 

Read on to find out more about the course.

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and women are uniquely positioned to drive the innovative, inclusive solutions needed to address this global crisis. The “Developing Skills for Women Leadership in Climate Action” e-course is a comprehensive 9-hour e-course designed to inspire and equip women and girls with the leadership skills necessary to lead just and effective climate initiatives.

In four modules, the e-course introduces learners to the most up-to-date understanding of climate science while offering practical tools and strategies to help them implement inclusive and equitable climate actions. You’ll learn how to develop, plan, and execute climate projects that prioritize social justice and inclusivity, ensuring that your initiatives benefit all members of the community.

The course was developed by UNITAR and C40 with the exclusive support of the Fondation L’Oréal, and with knowledge contributions from Columbia Climate School and CARE France. It’s available in English, French, and Spanish.

Learn more about it below.

What will you learn?

The ‘Developing Skills for Women Leadership in Climate Action’ online course was created to support women and girls to develop their leadership skills and take on green and just climate actions. After completing the course, learners will be able to:

  • Explain what is climate change and define key elements of inclusive climate action.
  • Discuss the impact of climate change on women and the role they play at the heart of climate action.
  • Identify opportunities and plan effective climate action.
  • Discuss approaches for influencing others and gaining support for your climate actions.

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for everyone, but particularly women and girls, who would like to develop key leadership skills and access a rich base of knowledge on climate action rooted in inclusivity and equity

Will you get a certificate?

Anyone who completes the course will be granted an official UN certificate of completion.

To obtain the certificate, learners need to go through all course videos, readings, and activities, as well as pass all course quizzes with a grade of 70% or higher.

 

Take the course today in English, French, or Spanish.

Benin celebrated the 40th National Tree Day with an iconic tree-planting event, supported by UN CC:Learn.

 

Read on to find out more.

Since 1985, the population of Benin has participated in the “National Tree Day” (Journée nationale de l’arbre – JNA, in French), an annual celebration that cherishes nature and puts trees and their role in addressing climate change in the spotlight. In 2024, to celebrate JNA’s 40th edition, the Government of Benin, through the Ministry of the Quality of Life and Transport in charge of Sustainable Development and with the support of UN CC:Learn and the NDC Partnership through a project dedicated to broadly communicate and raise awareness on climate change and the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), invited its population to value the role of trees once again.

The borough of Koudou in the commune of Lokossa, in the southwest of the country, was the main celebratory stage this year. Several high-level government officials, both local and national, were present at the city to take part in an event that culminated in the plantation of 1,500 native species of trees, which were carefully picked per their characteristics and with the support of the members of the Coopérative d’Aménagement Rural (CAR) de Koudo and the Fondation TOZO de Lokossa, who will be the main beneficiaries.

The saplings protected and lined-up, at the JNA in Lokossa, Benin.

To mobilize the community, particularly the youth, the NGO CASAD was charged with selecting 80 youth ambassadors from the region. Before the JNA, these 80 ambassadors learned about the role of plants, particularly the saplings that were identified to be planted at the celebration: teak, eucalyptus, mango, orange, cola, coconut, and avocado.

The CASAD team, in close collaboration with the Lokossa communal forestry session team, trained the young ambassadors on the proper way to plant a tree, covering fundamental aspects such as the monitoring and maintenance techniques needed to ensure successful plant growth. With this new knowledge, they were entrusted with planting saplings during the JNA. Moreover, during six months, these 80 young people will be responsible for the 1,500 plants, making sure they are well taken care of.

The JNA that took place in Koudou, in Lokossa, had a festive ambiance that engaged a broad number of people, regardless of their age. From government officials to local residents, many people bought into the idea of planting trees. Given the number of trees, the efforts continued on 2nd and 3rd June, extending what was supposed to be a one-day celebration into a three-day one.

The Coordinator of the communication project and follow-up of the NDC at the JNA 2024.

The Coordinator of the communication project and follow-up of the NDC at the JNA 2024.

The tree-planting campaign organized in Lokossa to mark National Tree Day 2024 was a success, demonstrating the collective commitment of the local community, authorities, and partner organizations to environmental protection. The 1500 trees planted represent a concrete contribution to the fight against climate change.

Watch interviews with officials at the JNA (in french):

 

African farmer man with retro radio broadcast receiver on shoulder stands happy smiling outdoor on old tractor background

Southern African youth tuned in to climate action through an innovative radio series that educated and empowered them to tackle environmental challenges in their communities.

 

Read on to find out more!

Radio makes waves in Africa. This media is one of the most effective ways to raise awareness of important issues, such as climate change, among young people in the continent given its wide reach, accessibility, adaptability, cost-effectiveness, and ability to tap into various linguistic groups.

According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), for instance, radio remains the main mass communication medium in Africa.

Moreover, the UN CC:Learn experience has shown that leveraging the widespread use and influence of radio in Africa, particularly in Southern Africa, is a useful approach to educating and mobilizing African communities on climate change.

Against this backdrop and building on a partnership that started in 2020, UN CC:Learn and MIET Africa joined forces once again to organize the “Youth Talk – Climate Action” radio series targeting youth in four Southern African countries – Lesotho, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This series ran from September to November 2023 and had a total of 112 episodes in seven languages and on seven different radio stations (full list at the end of the article).

Over three months, “Youth Talk – Climate Action” covered important topics, such as water security, the impact of climate change on youth’s health, the role of forests and trees, and infrastructure for disaster management and planning. The live radio programmes benefitted from experienced and highly committed radio hosts and dedicated teams from MIET’s FutureLife Now!, who were responsible for producing each episode.

This time around, UN CC:Learn and MIET introduced new features to the series that made it more engaging and interactive. In addition to the live radio programmes, WhatsApp and SMS messaging, phone-ins, competitions, and radio clubs complemented the series.

“My guest came from a school outside Lusaka and explained how community leaders are helping youths with projects to mitigate climate change and to be self-sustained in food security.” – Youth Talk – Climate Action listener.

At the end of the series, a listenership survey was conducted with 565 listeners in the four countries. It provided important insights into the series’ success, as well as the audience’s listening habits and things to consider in the future.

Some of the key findings:

  • Most listeners listened to the radio at home, with almost half of them streaming the radio programmes.
  • 68% percent said they listened to one or more “Youth Talk – Climate Action” episodes.
  • 75% were youth between 18-35 years old, which was the series’ target group.
  • Most respondents felt that they had gained new knowledge about the environment and ways of taking action to protect it, with as many as 95% in Malawi.

image of african lady and a kid with smart phone and laptop

“Forests and vegetation could be the best ways to mitigate climate change and global warming, so it is advisable to plant as many trees as possible.” – “Youth Talk – Climate Action” listener and survey respondent.

The very positive feedback received through the survey confirms the success of the radio series as an impactful way of reaching youth audiences. UN CC:Learn and MIET Africa will delve into lessons learned from this experience to consider another collaboration in the future.

Radio and Languages

Zimbabwe:

Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, Power FM (English)

Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, Radio Zimbabwe (Shona/Ndebele mix)

Zambia:

Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, ZNBC– English, Bemba and Nyanja

Malawi:

Malawi Broadcasting Corporation ZODIAK (English/Chichewa mix)

Lesotho:

Ministry of Communications Science and Technology- Radio Lesotho (English /Sesotho mix)

Plenary session during SB60.

UN CC:Learn was present at the Climate Conference, in Bonn, Germany, organized by UN Climate Change, to advance the Action for Climate Empowerment Agenda along with several key partners.

 

Read on to find out more!

Photo credit: UN Climate Change / Flickr

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.

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.

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.

This course was developed by the UN Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariat to give a broad overview of the legal basis, structure, rules and workings of the UNFCCC process.

Enroll
  • Climate Change

Self-paced course

2 hours

Welcome!

In 1992, countries agreed on an international treaty, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as a framework for international cooperation to combat climate change by limiting average global temperature increases and the resulting climate change and coping with its impacts. There are 198 countries that have ratified the Convention, called Parties to the Convention, and every year, they hold a Conference of the Parties (COP).

This course introduces the international climate change regime, its three key instruments (The UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement), and the institutional arrangements for the climate change intergovernmental process. This course focuses on UNFCCC rules of procedure regarding the negotiation process as well as the mechanism for convening the Parties through various forums and working groups, including the presidency and bureau, observers and elections, and the decision making and reporting processes.

What will you learn?

After completing this course, you will be able to:

Present the international climate change regime, including:

  • the three instruments of the UN climate change regime – the UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement.
  • how the UNFCCC operates through the COP process and major COP accomplishments.
  • the organization and administration of the annual COPs.
  • The institutional arrangements for the climate change intergovernmental process

Describe and analyse the draft Rules of Procedure of the Conference on the Parties, including:

  • responsibilities and operating procedures of governing, subsidiary, and other decision-making bodies.
  • the process for Parties to come to a consensus on the issues under negotiations.

Course at a glance

This online course includes one online lesson with two learning modules and a quiz that take an average of two hours to be completed.

Module 1: Overview of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Process

Module 2: The Negotiations and Rules of Procedure of the Intergovernmental Climate Change Process

Who is this course for?

This course is open to everyone who wishes to learn more about the UNFCCC process, including Party and non-Party stakeholders and the civil society.

Certification

Participants who successfully pass the quiz with a minimum grade of 70% within three attempts will get an official UN Climate Change certificate.

This course will introduce you to the Paris Agreement Implementation and Compliance Committee (PAICC). It will provide you with a detailed description of the function, nature, and operation of the Committee.

Enroll
  • Climate Change

Self-paced course

3 hours

Welcome!

The Paris Agreement Implementation and Compliance Committee (PAICC), established under Article 15 of the Paris Agreement, facilitates the implementation of and promotes the compliance with the Paris Agreement.

This course will introduce you to the Paris Agreement Implementation and Compliance Committee (PAICC). It will provide you with a detailed description of the function, nature, and operation of the Committee.

What will you learn?

By completing this course, learners will be able to:

  • Define the operating context of the Committee in the reporting and review process under the Paris Agreement.
  • Summarize the role, key features, and conduct of meetings of the Committee.
  • Identify and categorize the four modes of initiation of the work of the Committee and enumerate  the measures the Committee can take to facilitate Party’s implementation and compliance with the Paris Agreement.

Course at a glance

This online course includes one online lesson with two learning modules and a quiz that take an average of two hours to be completed.

Module 1: Operating context of the Paris Agreement Implementation and Compliance Committee (PAICC).

Module 2: Facilitation of implementation and promotion of compliance with the Paris Agreement.

Who is this course for?

This course caters to both Party and non-Party stakeholders, including members of civil society, policymakers, advisors, government officials and parliamentarians.

Certification

Participants who successfully pass the quiz with a minimum grade of 70% within three attempts will get an official UN Climate Change certificate.