Empowering young activists at United Nations climate conference in Dubai
(LWI) - This year, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) will be well represented at COP28, the United Nations Climate Change Conference from 30 November to 12 December. As in previous years, the delegation is led by young climate activists. A delegation of over 60 people comes from 29 member churches in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, and North America. They will be attending the conference in-person and online, raising their voice at the climate negotiations and calling for action on commitments to address the climate emergency.
This will be the largest delegation the LWF has had at the conference. Online participation will allow double the number of delegates compared to previous years. “The large number of participants demonstrates the commitment of LWF member churches to engage in the climate debate,” said Elena Cedillo, LWF program executive for climate justice. It allows for the sharing of stories from the ground, both impacts of the climate emergency and of innovative and creative initiatives to address them. The LWF continues to be particularly committed to ensuring those most affected by climate change are heard and their needs prioritized in global climate policies and initiatives.
“By including the perspectives and experiences of communities from different regions, we can foster a more inclusive and impactful response to climate change impacts. It is through this collective effort that we can truly achieve climate justice and create a sustainable future for all," added Cedillo.
At COP28, the LWF is advocating for states to deliver on commitments made at previous conferences. Support to vulnerable communities is a key area. Many of them are already facing the irreversible consequences of climate change. The loss and damage fund, a breakthrough agreement introduced at the last conference, is meant to provide financial assistance to nations most vulnerable and impacted by the effects of climate change. Its purpose of service the needs and priorities of those impacted by climate induced loss and damage.
“Global warming of 1.1 degrees Celsius has caused changes in our common home that are unprecedented in recent human history, vulnerable communities are already stretched beyond the limits of their adaptive capacity” says Cedillo in conclusion. “Reliable loss and damage financing systems mean that climate-vulnerable communities receive the necessary assistance to protect their lives, livelihoods, and dignity.”
