Education Cannot Wait at COP28
The annual UN Climate Change Conference (COP), taking place from 30th November to 12th December 2023 and hosted by the United Arab Emirates, brings together government representatives, UN agencies, civil society, scientists, private sector and youth to make commitments to address climate change.
COP28 and the RewirEd Summit on education provide a key opportunity to bring together climate and education stakeholders in one space to align strategies, action and agendas to reduce the impact climate change has on education and maximise the transformative role of education in taking climate action.
Climate change is impacting the education of children and adolescents Right Here, Right Now. ECW is attending COP28 to ensure those on the frontline of the climate crisis, armed conflict and other emergencies are central to climate-education action, decisions and commitments.
December 3
Fragility and Climate- Joined-up Action for Collective Outcomesn
The event will highlight the escalation of humanitarian crises since 2022, and that many of these contexts are the areas most affected by the climate crises. It will demonstrate how joint action and collective outcomes can more efficiently respond to the increasing needs of those most affected by and vulnerable to crises in fragile and climate affected contexts.
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Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 (UAE time)
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Humanitarian Hub
Resilient Healthcare in Sub-Saharan Africa: the urgent need to scale up solar electrification
Partners DPWorld, Crown Agents invite you to join a discussion on the barriers to accelerating solar electrification of health facilities, and the impact this has on health outcomes and on resilience of supply chains. In particular they will discuss solutions to this challenge and present the STEPS model – a blended finance solution to establish ‘Energy as a Service’ for public services in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Time: 2:00 – 3:30pm (UAE Time)
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Location: Energy Transition Hub, Green Zone
December 4
Climate Change and the Right to Education
This event will set out new findings regarding the impact of climate change-induced displacement on the right to education, including new data on the number of crisis-affected children and adolescents whose education has been disrupted by climate shocks, as well as the number of forced displacements of school-aged children due to floods, droughts and other extreme weather events. It will discuss innovative, cross-regional approaches to address climate-related school closures through anticipatory action, leveraging cross-sector collaboration and innovative financing.
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Time: 3:45 – 4:45pm (UAE Time)
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Location: Greening Education Pavilion, Mobility Pavilion, AI-erth room
- Please register for the session here: www.erthzayed.com/agenda (go to "day 5").
- Please register to enter the Green Zone: https://greenzonepass.cop28.com/theme-days/.
December 8
Unlocking Innovative Financing for Climate-Resilient Education in Emergencies
The event aims to highlight the potential impact, scalability and sustainability of innovative financing in supporting Climate Resilient Education in Emergencies. Through dynamic panel discussions, we will explore and showcase innovative financing models, mechanisms and initiatives that have successfully supported climate change and education. Participants will have networking opportunities to connect, collaborate and exchange ideas with innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and other stakeholders interested in supporting climate-resilient Education in Emergencies through innovative financing.
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Time: 11am (UAE Time)
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Location: Green Zone, RewirEd Summit
December 8
Intergenerational Workshop: The Transformative Power of Education Amid the Climate Crisis
This event will explore the intersection between education and the climate crisis, including in conflict-affected humanitarian contexts, and showcase how global funds are meeting the educational needs of children and young people. It fosters intergenerational dialogue to design the most effective solutions to support learning in the context of the climate crisis.
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Time: 10:05-10:55 (UAE Time)
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Location: Blue Zone, Children and Youth Pavilion
December 8
High-level session on Greening Education
In September 2022, at the UN Transforming Education Summit, the Greening Education Partnership (GEP) was launched as a direct response to the Youth Declaration and the Call to Action during the Summit to transform the world through transforming education. At COP 28, the GEP will convene its first Annual Meeting of the GEP. The meeting will encompass a high-level plenary session, followed by a technical session of the 4 GEP working groups. Youth members of the GEP will play a leading role in the dialogue and paving next steps.
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Time: 11:30 am -12:45 pm (UAE Time)
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Location: Rewired (Green Zone)
December 8
Placing Gender Equality and Youth at the Heart of Education Transformation for Climate
This session will spotlight the links between climate change, girls’ education and gender equality. An intergenerational accountability roundtable, the session will feature girls’ and young women’s experiences and leadership in the promotion of gender transformative climate change education and further global commitments to climate change education while ensuring a strong focus on the link with gender equality, including financing opportunities.
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Time: 1:15 - 2:00 pm (UAE Time)
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Location: Green Zone, RewirEd Summit
December 8
Empowering Refugee Education for Climate Resilience
This session will address the role of education in helping refugees adapt to and mitigate climate change effects, with a focus on support from education providers, connectivity, youth involvement and education financing. Climate change exacerbates the challenges faced by refugees, especially in fragile and conflict-affected areas, disproportionately affecting their safety, well-being and access to education, with the majority coming from vulnerable states. UNHCR is committed to reducing this impact through anticipatory actions and climate-aware education for refugee youth, aiming to empower them as positive change agents.
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Time: TBC
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Location: Green Zone, RewirEd Summit