Financing Nature-based Solutions is Path to Holistic and Equitable Recovery from Pandemic

Financing Nature-based Solutions is Path to Holistic and Equitable Recovery from Pandemic: COVID recovery and our planet’s repair must be the two sides of the same coin

A Side-Event of the ECOSOC 2021 Financing for Development Forum from the NGO Committee on Financing for Development – Climate Finance Working Group, Co-Sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the United Nations & the Permanent Mission of Jamaica to the United Nations

This side-event will showcase climate adaptation finance focusing on nature-based solutions as holistic and greener path to restore well-being of peoples and recovery from COVID-19 pandemic. Panelists will speak to their organizational initiative on financing NbS, current initiative, success as well as challenges and gaps. It is the hope of this forum to present recommendations calling all stakeholders to finance a more robust and stronger holistic and greener response to pandemic recovery and protection of nature while addressing the socio-economic aspects.

Speakers:

Introduction & Welcome: Marvie L. Misolas, Lead Organizer
Moderator: Ms. Gail Davis-Carter
Keynote Speaker: Ms. Zdenka Piskulich, Executive Director, Costa Rica Por Siempre –
H.E. Ambassador Rodrigo A. Carazo, Permanent Representative, Mission of Costa Rica to the UN
H. E. Ambassador E. Courtenay Rattray, Permanent Representative, Mission of Jamaica to the UN
Glaston White, Director, Half Moon Bay Fishermen’s Cooperative, a Community-based Reef Restoration Initiative in Jamaica
Brandon Hay, Science Officer, Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation
Paul Smith, Adaptation Finance Team Lead, UNEP Finance Initiative
Martina Dorigo, Program Analyst, Adaptation Fund

Organizers:

Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic, Inc., United Religions Initiative, ManUpCampaign, ListenGive Initiative & The Creators 2020 UN SDGs Arts & Youth Initiative, Global Distribution Advocates, Inc., United Methodist Church – General Board of Church and Society, Africa Development Interchange Network

Co-Sponsoring Organizations: Misean Cara, Don Bosco Aid Ireland, Salesian Missions, Inc.

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

CRNGO Climate Working Group

The regular monthly meeting of the Climate Working Group of the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations will convene on Monday, April 5, at 9:00am EST.

For the first hour, members will engage in a briefing on participation at UNFCCC COP. The second hour is reserved for regular meeting business, notes and agenda available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C31WT69qDQGOfkCiBFgY6zLRNmLUsSFUJsABDJwiGrs/edit

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://bic-org.zoom.us/j/94681006298?pwd=Si9JWDlWR0FWVU1sRVdBbHNOTW5kZz09

(ID: 94681006298, passcode: P95Qhq)

Join by phone
(US) +1 646-558-8656 (passcode: 841336)
(AU) +61 7 3185 3730 (passcode: 841336)

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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 Freedom of Religion or Belief, please visit unforb.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values, and Global Concerns-NY, please visit csvgc-ny.org.

CRNGO Climate Working Group

The regular monthly meeting of the Climate Working Group of the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations will convene on Monday, April 5, at 9:00am EST.

For the first hour, members will engage in a briefing on participation at UNFCCC COP. The second hour is reserved for regular meeting business, notes and agenda available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C31WT69qDQGOfkCiBFgY6zLRNmLUsSFUJsABDJwiGrs/edit

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://bic-org.zoom.us/j/94681006298?pwd=Si9JWDlWR0FWVU1sRVdBbHNOTW5kZz09

(ID: 94681006298, passcode: P95Qhq)

Join by phone
(US) +1 646-558-8656 (passcode: 841336)
(AU) +61 7 3185 3730 (passcode: 841336)

______________________________________________________________________________________________

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 Freedom of Religion or Belief, please visit unforb.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values, and Global Concerns-NY, please visit csvgc-ny.org.

Managing debt, climate and nature in the pandemic recovery

The pressure of growing public debt is hindering efforts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and tackling the climate crisis and biodiversity loss in emerging economies.

Join leading thinkers and practitioners to discuss emerging research into the causes and consequences of public debt challenges, how these challenges are impacting efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement, and what is being done to advance the most promising solutions.

Speakers include IIED researcher Sejal Patel, Prof Stephany Griffith-Jones, and our Ambassador to the UN the Hon. Bob Rae.

After 10 years running the e-discussion Recovery with a Human Face (2010-20) at UNICEF and ILO, it was closed and replaced by this new discussion on Global Social Justice [GSJ]. Please share your inputs by e-mailing: gsj@list.globalsocialjustice.org. This e-discussion is intended to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and ideas; the views expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the policies of GSJ. We look forward to your participation, and your reactions and thoughts about priorities for the international development community.

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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.

Managing debt, climate and nature in the pandemic recovery

The pressure of growing public debt is hindering efforts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and tackling the climate crisis and biodiversity loss in emerging economies.

Join leading thinkers and practitioners to discuss emerging research into the causes and consequences of public debt challenges, how these challenges are impacting efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement, and what is being done to advance the most promising solutions.

Speakers include IIED researcher Sejal Patel, Prof Stephany Griffith-Jones, and our Ambassador to the UN the Hon. Bob Rae.

After 10 years running the e-discussion Recovery with a Human Face (2010-20) at UNICEF and ILO, it was closed and replaced by this new discussion on Global Social Justice [GSJ]. Please share your inputs by e-mailing: gsj@list.globalsocialjustice.org. This e-discussion is intended to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and ideas; the views expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the policies of GSJ. We look forward to your participation, and your reactions and thoughts about priorities for the international development community.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

Urgently Addressing Climate Change as a Human Rights Issue – Small States, Indigenous People, Youth and Faith Perspectives

Dear friends,

Greetings from Switzerland. On behalf of our Economic and Ecological Justice Programme, please accept this invitation to attend the upcoming webinar offered by the Geneva Interfaith Forum on Climate Change, Environment and Human Rights (GIF) on the occasion of the 46^th Session of the UN Human Rights Council on the theme: Urgently Addressing Climate Change as a Human Rights Issue – Small Island States, Indigenous Peoples, Youth and Faith Perspectives on Friday, 26 March 2021 at 10:00-11:30 AM Central European Time (CET)

Please register through this link: https://lutheranworld-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HAa2Yn5TThmpHYdKRMfGAw

or watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dejg58UiRPk

Background:

Climate change is a human rights issue. It is one of the most urgent human rights issues of our time, directly as well as indirectly threatening the enjoyment and realisation of human rights of all. The small island and least developed countries are particularly vulnerable. The Indigenous Peoples, youth and people living in poverty are affected in unequal ways.

Though the most recent scientific data conclude that climate change is accelerating and demands an urgent and coordinated response, there is as yet no dedicated mechanism at the Human Rights Council (HRC) – the United Nations body responsible for promoting and protecting human rights – that tackles climate change in a holistic, systematic, and consistent manner. Moreover, there is a clear need to strengthen the connection between the HRC and the key international frameworks governing global climate change negotiations.

During the 46th session of the HRC, the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh delivered a statement, on behalf of 53 other states, calling for effective global climate actions in order to promote and protect the human rights of all and calling upon the Council to consider creating a new Special Rapporteur on human rights and climate change. A similar call was also made by the Republic of the Marshall Islands on behalf of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) during the 44th Session of the HRC in 2020.

This event is organised in conjunction with the 46th Session of the HRC to bring together voices and visions from small island states, Indigenous Peoples, youth, and faith communities with a view to establishing the connections between climate change and human rights as well as sharing information about concrete proposals and initiatives for addressing the human rights impacts of climate change in this context.

Speakers

Mr. Didier Georges, Haiti, Permanent Mission of Haiti to the UN in Geneva
Mr. Yves Lador, Switzerland, Earthjustice
Sis Jayanti Kirpalani, United Kingdom, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University
Ms. Aldonna Purba, Indonesia, Lutheran World Federation Youth voice
Ms. Beverly Longid, Philippines, Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation
Rev. James Bhagwan, Fiji, Pacific Conference of Churches Moderator
Ms. Alexandra M Goossens-Ishii, Soka Gakkai International & Geneva Interfaith Forum on Climate Change, Environment and Human Rights (GIF)

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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 Human Rights, please email the co-chairs at bknotts@uua.org or bobbinassar@gmail.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, please visit facebook.com/NGOCoRIP.

Urgently Addressing Climate Change as a Human Rights Issue – Small States, Indigenous People, Youth and Faith Perspectives

Dear friends,

Greetings from Switzerland. On behalf of our Economic and Ecological Justice Programme, please accept this invitation to attend the upcoming webinar offered by the Geneva Interfaith Forum on Climate Change, Environment and Human Rights (GIF) on the occasion of the 46^th Session of the UN Human Rights Council on the theme: Urgently Addressing Climate Change as a Human Rights Issue – Small Island States, Indigenous Peoples, Youth and Faith Perspectives on Friday, 26 March 2021 at 10:00-11:30 AM Central European Time (CET)

Please register through this link: https://lutheranworld-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HAa2Yn5TThmpHYdKRMfGAw

or watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dejg58UiRPk

Background:

Climate change is a human rights issue. It is one of the most urgent human rights issues of our time, directly as well as indirectly threatening the enjoyment and realisation of human rights of all. The small island and least developed countries are particularly vulnerable. The Indigenous Peoples, youth and people living in poverty are affected in unequal ways.

Though the most recent scientific data conclude that climate change is accelerating and demands an urgent and coordinated response, there is as yet no dedicated mechanism at the Human Rights Council (HRC) – the United Nations body responsible for promoting and protecting human rights – that tackles climate change in a holistic, systematic, and consistent manner. Moreover, there is a clear need to strengthen the connection between the HRC and the key international frameworks governing global climate change negotiations.

During the 46th session of the HRC, the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh delivered a statement, on behalf of 53 other states, calling for effective global climate actions in order to promote and protect the human rights of all and calling upon the Council to consider creating a new Special Rapporteur on human rights and climate change. A similar call was also made by the Republic of the Marshall Islands on behalf of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) during the 44th Session of the HRC in 2020.

This event is organised in conjunction with the 46th Session of the HRC to bring together voices and visions from small island states, Indigenous Peoples, youth, and faith communities with a view to establishing the connections between climate change and human rights as well as sharing information about concrete proposals and initiatives for addressing the human rights impacts of climate change in this context.

Speakers

Mr. Didier Georges, Haiti, Permanent Mission of Haiti to the UN in Geneva
Mr. Yves Lador, Switzerland, Earthjustice
Sis Jayanti Kirpalani, United Kingdom, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University
Ms. Aldonna Purba, Indonesia, Lutheran World Federation Youth voice
Ms. Beverly Longid, Philippines, Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation
Rev. James Bhagwan, Fiji, Pacific Conference of Churches Moderator
Ms. Alexandra M Goossens-Ishii, Soka Gakkai International & Geneva Interfaith Forum on Climate Change, Environment and Human Rights (GIF)

______________________________________________________________________________________________

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 Human Rights, please email the co-chairs at bknotts@uua.org or bobbinassar@gmail.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, please visit facebook.com/NGOCoRIP.

Decreased Access to Safe Water in Asia: Challenges to Human Security

The Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) will organise a webinar on ‘Decreased Access to Safe Water in Asia: Challenges to Human Security’ in conjunction with the World Water Day–2021.

Scheduled to be held on 22 March 2021 from 12 PM to 2 PM (Bangkok time), the webinar will highlight the importance of access to water as a human right and its challenges to human security and will focus on the problems related to the right to safe and clean water and challenges to human security.

The panelists of the webinar will include representatives of UN agencies, NGOs working in the field of water, sanitation, and hygiene issues, as well as church and ecumenical organisations.

Those who are interested in participating in the webinar, kindly register using the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrdO6qpjwpGdTg_D6dlkhiGiUzSqPJBhnp

For more details, please refer to the Background Information note here.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

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 Spirituality, Values, and Global Concerns-NY, please visit csvgc-ny.org.

Decreased Access to Safe Water in Asia: Challenges to Human Security

The Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) will organise a webinar on ‘Decreased Access to Safe Water in Asia: Challenges to Human Security’ in conjunction with the World Water Day–2021.

Scheduled to be held on 22 March 2021 from 12 PM to 2 PM (Bangkok time), the webinar will highlight the importance of access to water as a human right and its challenges to human security and will focus on the problems related to the right to safe and clean water and challenges to human security.

The panelists of the webinar will include representatives of UN agencies, NGOs working in the field of water, sanitation, and hygiene issues, as well as church and ecumenical organisations.

Those who are interested in participating in the webinar, kindly register using the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrdO6qpjwpGdTg_D6dlkhiGiUzSqPJBhnp

For more details, please refer to the Background Information note here.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

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 Spirituality, Values, and Global Concerns-NY, please visit csvgc-ny.org.

Sacred People, Sacred Earth { A Faith-Climate Day of Action event}

On 11 March 2021 people of faith and conscience all around the world are kicking off organizing for the biggest-ever faith-climate day of action, all at the grassroots.

In places of prayer and households around the globe, we are joining together to call for climate leadership guided by compassion, love, and justice. In Chile alone, there are more than 15 actions taking place in Santiago and around the country. Churches are ringing their bells, and other places of prayer and meditation are sounding the alarm for action on climate change.

Click here to organize or attend an event.

Our 10 Demands

Energy: 100% renewable, clean energy for all! Sustainable, affordable power for everyone – especially the 800 million people without access to electricity
Finance: Global finance aligned with compassionate values! Increased financing – in COVID recovery and beyond – for sustainable industry, infra-structure and agriculture
Employment: Jobs and healthcare for all! A just transition for workers impacted by climate change through job training, living wage and universal healthcare and insurance
Self-Determination: Respect Indigenous Rights! A strong defense for the legal rights of Indigenous communities and all environmental protectors
Hospitality: Welcome for migrants! Generous opportunities for climate refugees to migrate and establish new homes
Restoration: No more climate pollution! Net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in wealthy countries by 2030; accelerated finance/technology transfers for global net zero before 2050
Biodiversity: End the planet’s desecration! No new fossil fuel exploration or infrastructure, no more deforestation; no more habitat or biodiversity loss
Divestment: Eliminate immoral investment! No further financing or COVID bailouts for fossil fuels and exploitative agriculture
Reparation: Climate reparations from wealthy countries! Initiatives by wealthy countries in climate financing and technology transfer, in recognition of these countries’ colonialist and environmental debt
Community: Bold faith community leadership! Sustained, united action guided by the teachings of our diverse religions, ushering in an equitable, peaceful life for all.

Click here to sign the statement and lend your support.

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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 Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations, please visit rngos.wordpress.com.

industrial reform