A3. For me technology means there is absolutely no excuse (if there ever was) not to properly consult with impact communities when governments or companies are making decisions about climate change policies or programmes. For example, whilst we welcome the announcement made at COP26 for a £500m deforestation fund, and a £56m ‘just rural transition fund’, the farmers we work with want to know how that money is going to spent, will it reach them, can they shape the programmes that will be designed to deliver those funds? As @KatieH pointed out earlier on this call, farmers often already have the knowledge and the expertise needed to adapt to the changing climate or shift to low carbon production - so let’s put them in the driving seat. Technology can help ensure that farmers are properly consulted above and beyond any one off visit by an official. There’s no reason they can’t join crucial meetings via zoom if it’s not possible to get them to a particular meeting or conference in person.
@DaniellaF Women’s resourcefulness is the world’s greatest untapped resource. The enormity of climate change requires innovations at every level. Resilience in the face of climate change is lived out at the household and community level with women persevering every day to care for their families. When women and girls have agency and voice, they and their families are more resilient, and therefore able to thrive in the face of climate changes in their lifetime.
It can also be so simple as to be able to be registered at birth and “officially exist” - here we see a lot being done with mobile technology. For example Telenor has a project in Pakistan with mobile birth registration. Johnson’s Baby also has had one. This is not directly related to climate change, but it is important that the most vulnerable are at all recognised for them to be able to claim their rights.
Question 3:
We’ve launched projects in partnership with communities on-the-ground in 5 countries in Africa and Asia to support women-led climate resilience. We are now taking this work to the next level by forming new partnerships to apply integrated solutions at scale. We are excited to advance this work around the globe. See: Pathfinder International
Great point, Emma. The ITUC’s Just Transition Centre is playing a vital role in highlighting the urgent need to address how workers affected by the urgent need to close dirty industry can have their dignity and prosperity preserved. They are often in older unionised sectors with better pay. The clean industries may preserve this living wage and security, but the danger is that the jobs are lower paid and more precarious.
YES, @nina.vollmer! Mobile is central to the way we can and should communicate. Much of the population has a mobile phone today and this make it much simpler to educate, inform, etc. All actors should be doing this more
@phil @amanda, how far do environmental HRDs rely on or use social technology and or can it put them more at risk?
At Pathfinder, we advocate for inclusive climate finance…Widespread political and financial mobilization, by some of the most powerful global and regional institutions, and key governments and corporations, towards fulfilling women and girl’s sexual and reproductive health and rights as an essential element of large scale, well-funded plans to address climate resilience, adaptation, and gender equity.
That’s a glorious trailer for the next of these sessions Phil (Thursday 21st April, 3pm BST again) which should be featuring Samantha Smith of the Just Transition Centre. They have some great materials available online too.
A recent example of seeking to promote engagement and participation on human rights and environment more broadly is a collaboration on right to a healthy environment as part of #WikiForHumanRights 2022: WikiForHumanRights - Meta
Good point, Alice.
Many HRDs use social media to raise their concerns, and the higher profile can give them greater protection and suppoprt against attack.
But in more repressive environments it can lead to being more exposed to risks as both government and unscrupulous companies feel they can act with impunity.
And some HRDs live in such remote areas that they have no access
We are nearly at time, but i wanted to remind everyone that this is just the first in the start of our series - do look out for the next ones
Thu 7 April, 10am ET / 3pm BST: How can we put people at the centre of climate action?
Thu 21 April 10am ET / 3pm BST: How can we ensure a just transition from carbon to resilience by investing in education and skills?
Thu 5 May 10am ET / 3pm BST: How can we put diversity and inclusion at the heart of climate action to spread the benefits and burdens fairly?
Thu 12 May 10am ET / 3pm BST: How can a company’s climate change commitments be better informed by those most impacted?
Good to know. Samantha Smith is an excellent communicator and knowledgeable analyst on the Just Transition.
This has been such a great conversation today. It reinforces that the only way we are going to drive towards climate justice is through collective action. Conversations like these across the private and public sectors are great starts. And then it’s working together to take these ideas and make them a reality, which can only be achieved if we work together.
I just really want to thank all our panellists today for sharing such a rich set of insights. An insights paper will collate all of this so look out for it.
*** A SUMMARY OF THIS DISCUSSION IS NOW AVAILABLE HERE***