carbon emissions

Global Interfaith Dialogue on Food Systems

In the run up to the UN Food Systems Summit later in September,  the Global Inter-faith Dialogue on Food Systems builds up on the dialogue held in July, aiming to bring together faith-based organisations, Indigenous communities, and others whose work is grounded in values and spirituality and who play an essential role in the sustainable transformation of the food systems. 

Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEqcO-vqzMiGNDWKYK3YiRDYqg0G0IkyAL7

The specific objectives of the consultation are: 

1. Promote engagement and partnerships between faith-based organisations, indigenous peoples, governments, multilateral organisations, and corporations for more sustainable and just food systems

2.  Facilitate conversation around the role of values, ethics, and belief systems into new and better food systems, with a focus on areas for action

Expected outputs:

1. Increased awareness of the important role of faith, values, and belief systems in food systems transformation

2. Lift up good practices and areas for collective action between the work of faith-based, indigenous communities, and other stakeholders in support of achieving the SDGs by 2030

3. An interfaith reflection and a Statement for a sustainable food system   

Co-Convenors: Dr. Agnes Kalibata, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy of the 2021 Food Systems Summit, and Andrew Schwartz, Director of Sustainability and Global Affairs, Center for Earth Ethics.  Curator: Dr. Manoj Kurian, Coordinator, World Council of Churches- Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance

The programme will have brief inputs from key discussants and there will be a substantial session for group work and reporting. The discussants include Ms. Karenna Gore, Director of the Center for Earth Ethics, Rev. Andrew Morley, President and CEO, World Vision International, and ordained curate of the Anglican Church, Ms. Lyla June Johnston, representing Indigenous Peoples, Mr. Anwar Khan, President, of Islamic Relief USA and  Bishop Rev. Dr. Sabu K. Cherian, from the Church of South India.

As part of the output, an interfaith Reflection and Statement that is addressed to the UN Food Systems Summit  will be introduced and be read by Mr. Steve Chiu – Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation and Dr. Meera Baindur – Associate Professor (Philosophy), Department of Arts, Manipal University Jaipur.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations, please visit rngos.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org.

Faith & Climate Summit: The Final Sprint to COP26

We are at the precipice of a crucial decade that will decide the trajectory of our future. We must mitigate greenhouse gas emissions substantially in the next ten years. As COP26 rapidly approaches, Parliament and its partners will hold a Faith & Climate Summit. We will discuss the ways faith communities around the world can best support, influence, and respond to the COP26 negotiations and integrate climate action into their work.

Join us for a discussion with the global interfaith community about our role heading into COP26 and beyond. The UK COP26 Presidency will give an update on the status of negotiations. We will also announce new faith-based climate commitments. Reach out to Joshua Basofin at joshua@parliamentofreligions.org to discuss your organization’s climate commitment.

Register here!

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations, please visit rngos.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org.

High-Level Dialogue on Energy

UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced that he will convene the UN High-level Dialogue on Energy virtually on Friday, 24 September 2021, under the auspices of the UN General Assembly.

A series of Leadership Dialogues will feature Heads of State and Government as well as other global leaders, many of whom are expected to announce commitments in the form of “Energy Compacts,” aimed at achieving clean, affordable energy for all by 2030 (SDG7) and net zero emissions by 2050. More details about Energy Compacts can be found here.

The Dialogue will result in a global roadmap towards the achievement of SDG 7 by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050, building on the outcome of the Ministerial Thematic Forums and the reports of Technical Working Groups released in June.

Stakeholders Participation

To bring together businesses, cities, foundations, youth and other civil society representatives to announce their own Energy Compact commitments and mobilize partnerships for transformative action, multi-stakeholder energy action pre-events are also being organized virtually on the mornings of 22 and 23 September, details to be announced.

Energy Compacts registration

All stakeholders are urged to submit their Compact commitments by 31 August, in order to ensure that they are reviewed and registered in time to be given visibility at the High-level Dialogue on Energy in September.

Recording of the Deep-dive Stakeholders Workshop on Energy Compacts (held on 19 August 2021) is now available here, with detailed presentation on how to prepare and submit your commitments. Find more about the process and submit your Energy Compact here.

Details on the Dialogue are to be announced shortly on the HLDE website.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org.

Pre-COP 26 Summit

The Pre-COP 26 Summit will take place ahead of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 26) to the UNFCCC, which is taking place from 1-12 November 2021. The Pre-COP is a preparatory meeting for COP26, bringing together ministers from a representative group of countries to discuss and exchange views on key political aspects of the negotiations, to find solutions to outstanding issues and set the tone for COP26.

The Italian Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with Connect4Climate – World Bank Group and the Office of Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, as part of the initiatives organized ahead of COP26, has also launched a programme of virtual and interactive meetings addressed to young people around the world. The webinars programme titled, ‘Youth4Climate Live Series: Driving Momentum Towards Pre-COP26’, includes one meeting per month, from June to February 2021.

To learn more about the Pre-COP26 Summit, and/or subscribe to receive SDG event notices, news and analysis to your email, click here or visit mite.gov.it/pagina/towards-cop26-pre-cop-and-youth-event-youth4climate-driving-ambition.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, please visit facebook.com/NGOCoRIP. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org. For more information on the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations, please visit rngos.wordpress.com. 

Deadline Glasgow: Defund Climate Chaos

On November 1st, the most important international climate talks since Paris will begin in Glasgow, Scotland. National leaders from around the world will gather and make new climate commitments; many corporations will release their latest climate plans.

That’s why today Stop the Money Pipeline and our coalition partners are launching: Deadline Glasgow – defund climate chaos.

The Glasgow Climate Talks are a historic opportunity for the world to act on climate. When the Paris Agreement was signed five years ago, every nation on earth agreed to meet five years later and “ratchet up” their climate ambition. We’re now at that moment ― and it is vital that we hold the world’s leaders to their promises.

We’ll share the plan to campaign hard through Glasgow & we’ll have clear steps for activists to join us on the campaign.

Speakers include Tara Houska of Giniw Collective, Kayah George of Indigenous Climate Action, Representative Rashida Tlaib, and Bill McKibben.

Register here!

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, please visit facebook.com/NGOCoRIP. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org.

Addressing the tensions between extreme poverty & environmental conservation

Join us July 8 for “Addressing the tensions between extreme poverty and environmental conservation,” an ATD Fourth World webinar at HLPF, in collaboration with the Maryknoll Sisters.

Register here!

This fascinating dialogue will bring together:

  • Activists from the Quilombola community in Brazil and the Maasai community in Tanzania, both facing
    threats to their lands, identities and cultures
  • Professionals in the field of social and environmental justice and human rights
  • International policy-makers in the realm of environmental conservation and management

Together, panelists will discuss how environmental conservation should not be used against the human
rights of people and communities living in poverty and will highlight examples of communities acting to
protect and preserve their environment and culture.

Speakers:

  • Seela John Sainyeye: Coordinator of Women Empowerment and Gender Equality at the Pilot Light Development Organization in Arusha, Tanzania
  • Leidyane Quilombola: Activist from Quilombo Nazaré, Maranhão, Brazil
  • David Smith: Chief Economist and Regional Coordinator – Africa. UNDP-UNEP, Poverty-Environment Action for the SDGs (PEA), UNEP

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org. For more information on the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations, please visit rngos.wordpress.com. 

From COP22 to COP26: The Congo Basin Blue Fund–An African and a global issue

Ahead of the upcoming COP26 summit in Glasgow in November 2021, the Brazzaville Foundation will gather high-level speakers to discuss the importance of COP26 for the Congo Basin, while highlighting the initiatives embodied within the Congo Basin Blue Fund’s vision. Interpretation in French/English.
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En préparation du sommet de la COP 26 qui se tiendra à Glasgow en novembre 2021, la Fondation Brazzaville réunira des intervenants de haut niveau pour discuter de l’importance de la COP 26 pour le Bassin du Congo, tout en mettant en avant les initiatives incarnées par la vision du Fonds Bleu pour le Bassin du Congo. Interprétation en français/anglais.

Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZWkXnv2FTb-5navoSqbyoA

Why?

  • The Congo and its tributaries are a vital resource for all the countries of the Congo Basin
  • The Basin holds 8% of the world’s forest-based carbon, so it also has a key role to play in helping to prevent global warming
  • The Blue Fund for the Congo Basin is a major sustainable development initiative designed to reduce the pressure to exploit the forests of the Congo Basin and thus mitigate the impact of global warming by promoting alternative economic development using the resources of the Congo River and its tributaries

The purpose of the Blue Fund for the Congo Basin is to generate sustainable economic development for the peoples of the region while reducing deforestation – for the Congo Basin countries, but also a global priority as a carbon sink.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit  ngocsdvienna.org.

Virtual CINE-ONU presents “The Great Green Wall”

To mark the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, the United Nations and the European Commission present: “The Great Green Wall.”

After a short introduction from Veronika Hunt Safrankova,  Head of Brussels Office, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Camilla Nordheim-Larsen, Senior Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Coordinator at UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and Producer of the film, we will have a discussion and Q&A with the speakers below:

  • Elvis Tangem – Coordinator of The Great Green Wall Initiative for the Sahara and Sahel, African Union
  • Sandra Kramer – European Commission, Director Africa, Department of International Partnerships (DG INTPA)
  • Nora Berrahmouni – Senior forestry officer for Africa at the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 
  • Deborah Seward (moderator) – Director of the UN Regional Information Centre (UNRIC)

About/Synopsis:

Imagine if we could restore a piece of land 3 times the size of the Great Barrier Reef! The African-led initiative referred to as the Great Green Wall, is growing an 8,000km natural ‘wonder of the world ‘ across the entire width of Africa. Discover how this project is providing a future for over 60 million people in the region.

The Great Green Wall provides a refreshing story of resilience, optimism and collective action. As Inna Modja passionately pursues an African Dream for a generation seeking to control their own destiny, she reminds us of the enormity of the task ahead and that time is not on our side. The resulting journey of hope, hardship and perseverance reveals our shared human condition, reflecting a deeper moral and existential question we all must confront: “Will we take action before it’s too late?

Watch the trailer here: youtube.com/watch?v=kB1qK_yBVxU

Register for the discussion here: https://fao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pxFKjLqyQxiJcKesdnZ3LQ

This event is organised in collaboration with Cine-ONU Vienna and Cine-ONU Geneva

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, please visit facebook.com/NGOCoRIP. For more information on the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations, please visit rngos.wordpress.com.

Gearing Up for Glasgow: Faith, Climate Action and COP26

Hello everyone,
Warm greetings! If any of you are based in the UK or are interested in working with UK-based faith communities in the lead-up to COP26, please do join a special online gathering on Tuesday, 1 June, 6:30pm BST.
Register here!
Background: 

The UK hosts the United Nations Climate Change summit (COP26) this November, where governments will gather to negotiate the future of our planet. Civil society groups, including faith communities, are ramping up their actions on climate justice in the leadup to COP26.

Many of us have already been involved in excellent workshops and webinars this year, equipping us with the information and skills we need to act. This session is ideal for you if you are:

  • Based in the UK, or work with groups based in the UK
  • A person of (any) faith and/or would like to work with faith communities
  • Focusing on COP26 in your work on climate change
  • Eager to amplify your actions by connecting with others

This online session will provide an open, flexible space for you to join up with others who want to take similar actions. Be prepared to come with ideas and plans to work with others and to form connections organically. You will:

  • Join with climate activists from different faith traditions linking up on a geographical, tactical or issue basis
  • Explore and engage with in-depth conversations to enable exciting plans to emerge
  • Have opportunities to move with other faith activists from mobilising for events to organising your own actions
  • Connect your climate activism with the work of Make COP Count, the COP26 Coalition and the wider climate justice movement

When you register, tell us what themes or ideas you would like the breakout rooms to hold. We want the session to provide you with the space to develop the networks and relationships you need to take action. You will be able to move between breakout rooms throughout the session, or join new ones based on new themes or actions that emerge.

Agenda:

6:30  Welcome and introductions
6:45  Breakout discussions
7:30  Plenary feedback
7:40  Announcements and sharings: Make COP Count and the COP26 Coalition
8:00  Close

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values, and Global Concerns-NY, please visit csvgc-ny.org. For more information on the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations, please visit rngos.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org.

International Day for Biological Diversity

Biological diversity is often understood in terms of the wide variety of plants, animals and microorganisms, but it also includes genetic differences within each species — for example, between varieties of crops and breeds of livestock — and the variety of ecosystems (lakes, forest, deserts, agricultural landscapes) that host multiple kind of interactions among their members (humans, plants, animals).

Biological diversity resources are the pillars upon which we build civilizations. Fish provide 20 per cent of animal protein to about 3 billion people. Over 80 per cent of the human diet is provided by plants. As many as 80 per cent of people living in rural areas in developing countries rely on traditional plant‐based medicines for basic healthcare.

But loss of biodiversity threatens all, including our health. It has been proven that biodiversity loss could expand zoonoses – diseases transmitted from animals to humans- while, on the other hand, if we keep biodiversity intact, it offers excellent tools to fight against pandemics like those caused by coronaviruses.

While there is a growing recognition that biological diversity is a global asset of tremendous value to future generations, the number of species is being significantly reduced by certain human activities. Given the importance of public education and awareness about this issue, the UN decided to celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity annually.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org.

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