At the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, three innovators from Uganda—Michael Okao, Darius Ogwang, and Joshua Elem—secured the prestigious Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition Award for their groundbreaking solar concentrator. This technology harnesses renewable energy, specifically tailored for clean cooking solutions.
The Commonwealth Secretariat, in collaboration with the governments of Fiji and Zambia, announced the laureates at a ceremony held at COP28 this week. The event celebrated exemplary efforts in sustainable energy transition, highlighting solutions that contribute to mitigating climate change.
Others including Areebah Armin Ahsan from Bangladesh and Sarah Shahbaz Khan from Pakistan were honored for their exceptional short stories, ‘Tragedy to Triumph: Biogas in Daria Nagar’ and ‘Mud-coated Walls and Sandy Dunes,’ respectively. Nigeria’s Michael Chiangi Gbagir was recognized with the Best Educators Award for his noteworthy initiative, ‘EcoPower Adventure.’ Gbagir’s project engages various communities through interactive learning activities, such as energy scavenger hunts, promoting awareness and education on sustainable practices.
In a broader context, the Commonwealth event saw the release of a significant report addressing the critical issue of climate finance for young people. The joint report by the Commonwealth Secretariat and YOUNGO, the youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), analyzed 100 climate finance initiatives targeting the youth.
Despite an increase in youth-focused climate finance, the report revealed that funds were primarily disbursed in small amounts, impeding large-scale youth-led climate action. Transparency issues were also noted, with incomplete information about beneficiaries and funded projects.
Climate finance, a core part of the Paris Agreement, is provided to help developing countries cut greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
To address these challenges, the report recommends a fit-for-purpose approach to deploying climate finance for youth-led actions. The proposed solutions include targeted reporting, streamlined fund access with clear eligibility criteria, increased private sector support, and the exploration of innovative financing sources.
Speaking at the event, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, emphasized the urgency of scaling up financial support for young people. Given that 60 percent of Commonwealth citizens are young people, she highlighted their vulnerability to climate impacts, including job losses, displacement, health issues, and educational setbacks.
“This report reveals the dire need to scale up financial support for young people and prevent them from being stuck in the vicious cycle of chasing funds. We must work together with young people to address the barriers they face in accessing climate finance and support them in scaling contributions to meeting climate targets. This is essential to our belief that youth-led action is integral to our pursuit for a sustainable future for all,” she said.
The report underscores the need to work collaboratively with young people to remove barriers and ensure their fair share of support, aligning with the belief that youth-led action is integral to a sustainable future for all.
During the event, participants shared experiences on accessing climate finance, upskilling, and leveraging technology to empower youth-led efforts in tackling climate change challenges.
Collins Nzovu, Zambia’s Minister of Green Economy and Environment, stressed the importance of passing the leadership baton to the youth for a livable climate.
“The future belongs to the children, and we should do everything possible to ensure we leave a liveable climate for them. We realise we need to pass the baton of leadership to the youth. We are increasing our support to the youth to take leadership which demonstrates our unwavering support for the Commonwealth Year of the Youth,” said Nzovu.
The minister urged youth to use their energy, presence, connections and innovation to drive the change needed to save the planet.
Fiji’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Naipote Tako Katonitabua, highlighted the unprecedented impacts of climate change and the necessity for dramatic actions. He emphasized the vital role of youth inclusion at all levels in climate action, including the political sphere.
Sheen Tyagi, Research Director at YOUNGO’s Finance and Markets Working Group, affirmed that investing in youth-led climate projects is crucial for safeguarding the planet’s future. She called for unwavering support from governments, institutions, the private sector, communities, and individuals to ensure a sustainable tomorrow.
“Climate finance directed towards our projects is the imperative bridge between aspirations and actionable change. The currency of change lies in climate finance for the youth, and to ensure a sustainable tomorrow, we need the unwavering support of governments, institutions, the private sector, communities, and every individual,” said Tyagi.
The release of the ‘Availability of Climate Finance for Youth’ report will guide the Commonwealth Secretariat’s ongoing work, especially through its Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub, which has facilitated access to approximately $322 million of climate finance for small and vulnerable countries to address the impacts of climate change.
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