Barry White
From global to local: making a difference to tackle climate change and raising
raising awareness, is key in campaigning on the climate emergency. David Howlett (pictured)
who lives in Malham and works for the UN Climate Change High Level Champions, explained to
the 11 November Green Café meeting in Settle held by ACE (Action on Climate
Emergency) the work of the Champions on connecting the work of governments with
climate actions taken by non-state organisations such as communities, businesses,
and civil society. He will be attending the 28th United National Climate Change
Conference (COP28) being held in Dubai from 30 November to12 December.
COP28 is hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the focus on fast-tracking
the energy transition and slashing emissions before 2030; transforming climate
finance, by delivering on old promises and setting the framework for a new deal on
finance; and putting nature, people lives and livelihoods at the heart of climate
action.
In a wide ranging talk, David explained the roles of the UN’s Climate Change High-
Level Champions – Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin from Egypt and Her Excellency Ms.
Razan Al Mubarak from UAE in global to local. They are building on the work of their
predecesors including Nigel Topping from the UK, to work with ‘non state actors’. Their work he
work he explained “is fundamentally designed to encourage a collaborative shift across all of
society towards a decarbonized economy so that we can all thrive in a healthy,
resilient and zero carbon world.”
David also emphasised their role in promoting the business case for change and
adaptation to meet the climate challenges. Increasingly ‘business-as-usual’ is
becoming untenable and consequently unprofitable.
To help them deliver this work, the High-Level Champions are supported by a global
team of experts covering a broad range of activities – this is the team in which David
works.
David then turned to the ‘Loss and Damage’ Fund which when countries at COP27
agreed to establish – it was hailed at the time as a political success. This is being set
up to support communities in developing countries that are being affected by climate
change but who did not cause it. However, David reminded the meeting that money
for the fund is still to be materialised although discussions on finding a consensus on
a funding mechanism are continuing with the aim to agree this in Dubai.
He concluded by reinforcing the message about the need for global to local action. “ACE’s
energy and food groups are good cases in point, expensive energy and poor
insulation have a direct cost, as does food waste. These and issues like them are
not ‘climate’ issues, but community issues. Having strategies is ok, like we hear about at COP and the UN, but it is important that they support local implementation, evaluation and verification – that make the real difference”.