Countries came together last month at COP 20, the annual UN Climate Change Conference, to negotiate and shape the contribution they will give to vastly reduce their carbon emissions, before a commitment in Paris.
Peru hosted the conference that drew over 15,000 people to Lima. Peru will be one of the countries most affected by climate change impacts. Responsible for only 0.1% of emissions, Peru will see the greatest temperature rise due to climate change in South America. The 18,000 Peruvians who have voted on the MY World survey prioritizes ‘Action taken on Climate Change’ much higher than the global average at 11th place and ‘Protecting Forests, Rivers and Oceans’ at 4th place.
Ahead of COP 20, 1,000 young people from around the world championed solutions to climate change at the annual Youth Conference on Climate.
COP 20 President, Mr. Manuel Pulgar Vidal, opened the Youth conference telling youth:
“You are a climate change solutions generation. Young people are characterized by their enthusiasm, leadership and passion. All these elements are fundamental for addressing climate change and moving the intergovernmental negotiation process forward. I encourage you to continue implementing climate solutions, enhancing access to information, promoting public awareness, raising ambition and mobilizing action.”
Throughout the UN Climate Change Conference, voters raised their voices on ‘Action Taken on Climate’ and many other linked issues through the MY World Survey. MY World votes came from the Indigenous peoples pavilion which was featured at the Voices for Climate and showcased initiatives and knowledge from indigenous communities that contribute to curbing climate change.
At the Global Landscape Forum , UNDP Administrator Helen Clarke voiced her priority on ‘Action taken on Climate’ and spoke of the linkage between deforestation and climate change during the Forum’s closing speech.
Peruvian UN Volunteers and MY World partners such as The Millennials Movement, the Peruvian Down Syndrome Society as well as global MY World partners like YOUTHINK and IAAI/GloCha Action Network were part the success of bringing voices into the post-2015 development agenda from the international climate change community.
COP20 was a key moment to work together and bring ‘Action Taken on Climate Change’ to the attention of leaders who develop policy priorities and engage the broader population in action related to international climate policy.
Useful Links:
- Stay updated via the UNFCCC Newsroom
- See UNFCCC press release for COP20 outcomes
- Learn more about the Youth Conference on Climate Change (COY10)
Compiled by Holly Borday, MY Green World Project Associate