Today, 10th November, is officially Science & Youth day at COP27! A day that youth climate activists have had to fight for. We’re gearing up for the incredible lineup of side events and talks to attend, support, and get inspired by. Whether you’re tuning in remotely or attending on the ground, we got you. Read on for our recommended events, registration links and more.
10th November: Science Day, Youth & Future Generations Day
2022 witnessed several landmark science reports from IPCC, UNEP, and other institutions. The science related to the UNCCD and UNCBD, together with Stockholm+50, is also clearly relevant and interlinked with the climate action agenda. Science Day at COP27 will comprise panel discussions and events to bring forward the outcomes of the reports and their recommendations and further enhance the engagement of the climate community.
Ensuring that the voice of youth and future generations is heard loud and clear is also one of the objectives of the COP27 Presidency. Having heard the priorities and concerns of youth representatives over the past few months, it has decided to hold a stand-alone day to engage youth and ensure that their perspectives are taken on board and reflected across all areas of the climate agenda.
While the primary events for Youth and Science are available (here), side events are lesser known and not as easily accessible. Here are some that you do not want to miss:
1. Sustainable Innovation Forum
We’re kicking off this list with the largest side event at COP27 running from 9th to 11th November. The Forum will bring together 1,500 climate leaders from government, business, cities and NGO’s for three compelling days at the Climate Action Innovation Zone, which is located adjacent to the Blue Zone at COP27.
Building on the success of the launch at COP26 in Glasgow, the Climate Action Innovation Zone places innovation and investment at the heart of COP27 in a dedicated space for meeting, networking, learning, discussion and showcasing innovation and deployable climate solutions. Located adjacent to the Blue and Green Zones, the Innovation Zone will offer opportunities to engage and align with those who are committed to tackling the climate emergency and developing innovative solutions for net zero and a just transition.
If you are unable to attend in person, the Forum will be live streamed (link for that here!) to the global community of climate leaders on their hybrid platform, designed for audience to network, connect and watch content on demand. Get involved here.
2. Healthy Climate Initiative
Healthy Climate initiative has put together a Climate Benefit Concert to save the Himalayan glaciers! The idea is to raise awareness and field test technologies to arrest glacial melt in the Himalayas. Climate Benefit Concert is a global conservation celebration that uses the universal language and the power of art to showcase the incredible solution-driven work of leading conservationists, scientists, and organizations from around the world. Join them for this chance to learn about diversity and culture from around the world. And also contribute to a greater cause.
The concert will be broadcast online for 2 hours on November 10th with a galaxy of international musicians. More details here & watch the live concert here.
3. COP Singapore Pavilion
COPSG Pavilion is full of the coolest stuff today and tomorrow (and of course this spills over to other days too). Follow them on instagram on to stay updated on everything they’re organising – it’s Singapore’s first Pavilion at COP so this is a pretty big deal! And it’s been filled with amazing insightful programs. Keep an eye out for the session on Youth and Adaptation: Voices from the Global South from 5-6:30pm (GMT+2), which will be followed by His Highness The Crown Prince of Pahang, Malaysia delivering an opening speech, closing with a Fireside Chat with WWF Expect on Adaptation, Sandeep Rai.
4. COP27 Coalition
The COP27 Coalition is an African and Arab led, broad and inclusive coalition of (200+) groups with the key aim of centering climate justice and the voices of the most impacted, especially from the Global South, at COP27. To do this, the Coalition will support civil society advocacy and actions leading up to and during the COP, and build movement solidarity across Africa and the Arab World to increase the strength of the movements. Coalition members include movements, networks, NGOs, trade unions, grassroots community campaigns, faith groups, youth activists, and many others.
As world leaders meet in Egypt, they are calling for decentralised mass mobilisations across the world, bringing together movements to build power for system change – from indigenous struggles to trade unions, from racial justice groups to youth strikers. The Global Day of Action will take place on Saturday, November 12, during the second weekend of the COP. In addition, they are inviting movements to also organize local “Peoples Forums” during the COP.
And what better time for you to start organising and holding leaders accountable than on Youth & Future Generations Day!
FEATURED IMAGE: via Green News | Climate activist Vanessa Nakate at a COP26 protest. Young people will have ‘a seat at the table at COP27′ she says.