Dear Friends,
India’s Presidency of the G20 this year has been a watershed moment, allowing India to play an important role in finding solutions to address key issues impacting mother earth in the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, or the ‘World is One Family’ with ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ as the vision for G20 2023.
The G20, which unites the established and emerging economies of the globe and represents two-thirds of the world’s population and 85 per cent of the global GDP, is a significant forum for international economic cooperation. India is taking over the presidency at a crucial juncture when the world is facing multiple headwinds – climate change, terrorism, war, and pandemics. Therefore, India’s G20 priorities range from scaling up renewable energy to ensuring the implementation of SDGs and addressing climate change, from trade and investment to multilateral reforms; from agriculture to financial inclusion and women-led development and many more with the concept of Lifestyle For Environment (LiFE), which India’s Prime Minister introduced as the binding fabric.
Civil 20 or C20, an official engagement group of G20, provides a platform for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) around the world to bring forth a non-government and non-business voice to G20. It provides space through which global CSOs can contribute in a structured and sustained manner to the G20.
Of the 16 Working Groups of C20, one is ‘Sustainable and Resilient Communities: Climate, Environment and Net Zero Targets’. CANSA, together with Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and Vasudha Foundation, leads the sub-group ‘Climate Resilience and Social Justice’, as a part of which, several events, webinars, roundtables, meetings, have been organized, the recommendations of which will be handed over to the G20.
Nakul Sharma has been leading the C20 sub-group on behalf of CANSA. He can be reached at: nakul@cansouthasia.net
You are most welcome to reach out to him for details of the C20 events organized jointly by CANSA together with CSO partners. Or you can check out the C20 section on the website:
https://cansouthasia.net/our-work/multilateral-processes-advocatory/g20-climate-resilience-and-social-justice/
While this newsletter focuses on C20, there has been a lot of other work going on too, new members, media fellowship for work on cities and climate change, a new report, good work by partners, all of which you can read in this issue.
Happy to get feedback on the newsletter, and looking forward to hearing from you.
Sanjay Vashist
Director, CANSA
8 February 2023
Technology Integration, Finance and Adoption Strategies Addressing for Net Zero Emission Management
24 April 2023
Combating Climate Crisis: An Opportunity for Health Sector and Civil Society Leadership
29-30 April 2023
Sustainable & Resilient Communities Conclave, Sikkim
29 May 2023
Sustainable and Resilient Communities – Kolkata Dialogue
Climate Change, Health & Disasters – Insights for the G20, Kolkata
20 June 2023
Financing a Just Energy Transition Through Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform, Webinar
26 June 2023
Gender Responsive Climate Action, New Delhi
Glimpses of C2O events in the Events Gallery
https://cansouthasia.net/glimpses-of-c20-events/
SEMINAR & HIGH-LEVEL ROUNDTABLE Combatting Climate Crisis: An Opportunity for Health Sector & Civil Society Leadership | Kochi, April 24, 2023
The climate crisis is a health crisis as it threatens our air, food, water, shelter, and security—the basic necessities that human lives depend on. The seminar and high level C20 roundtable at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences brought leaders from the health care sector and civil society groups to frame the climate crisis from the health lens and provide a pathway of solutions that prioritize health-based climate actions.
https://cansouthasia.net/combatting-climate-crisis-an-opportunity-for-health-sector-and-civil-society-leadership/
SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT COMMUNITIES CONCLAVE Sikkim, April 29-30, 2023
This event tried to bring out the Dialogue and engagement with Civil Society Organizations, policymakers, representatives from government and non-governmental agencies, and academicians from around the world in Sikkim, Gangtok.
https://cansouthasia.net/sustainable-resilient-communities-conclave/
Financing a Just Energy Transition Through Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform Webinar | June 20, 2023
This official Civil 20 (C20) side event, was a discussion on the challenges and opportunities of reforming fossil fuel subsidies for different G20 members. It looked at options for generating new and additional sources of climate finance and for ensuring social and climate justice. The webinar included inputs from speakers from Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, India, Japan, and South Africa.
https://cansouthasia.net/financing-a-just-energy-transition-through-fossil-fuel-subsidy-reform/
EVENT Gender Responsive Climate Action Delhi | June 26, 2023
The priority issues of C20 focus on solving the socio-economic matters which touch the daily lives of the people. Gender is a crucial issue linking all the priority issues listed by C20 and is an integral part to be addressed in inclusive social and economic development.
Apart from deliberations by experts on gender-responsive climate change policies, the event showcased findings and recommendations from the GUCCI Project (Gender into Urban Climate Change Initiative) project, as well as women-led solutions for mitigation and adaptation from G20 participants countries.
https://cansouthasia.net/gender-responsive-climate-action/
Among the most challenging phenomena of our time is Climate Change which manifests itself in extreme weather events from flooding to heatwaves, droughts to changes in sea levels and more, leaving direct and indirect impact on millions of people in cities. To facilitate such in-depth work on the subject, Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA) and Question of Cities (QoC) invited journalists, researchers and scholars to apply for the QoC-CANSA Fellowship to research and report on the following themes:
Six Fellows were selected – from hundreds of applications received from India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh – to research and report on various aspects of cities and Climate Change. Heartly congratulations to our fellows.
To know more about our QOC-CANSA Fellows on Cities and Climate Change, click here: https://cansouthasia.net/qoc-cansa-fellowship-on-cities-and-climate-change/
Bonn Climate Change Conference (SB58)
100% Renewables: Local Climate Solutions in East Africa, South Asia
Bonn Side Event | June 8, 2023
100% Renewable energy plans in Kenya, Uganda.
Eco-Village Development in South Asia.
Online Catalogues of local sustainable solutions to support to meet climate targets in East Africa, South Asia.
Contributing to mitigation, adaptation, faster GHG reductions, reduce poverty, focus on gender.
Paris Climate Summit
Summit For a New Global Financing Pact
Paris | June 22-23, 2023
CANSA, Care France, Oxfam France and CAN Europe organized a side event in Paris as part of the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact, Paris. The discussion on ‘How to Make Polluters Pay: Climate Finance to Support Global Equity’ had distinguished speakers: Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Avinash Persaud, Special Envoy to the Prime Minister of Barbados, Saleemul Huq, Director, International Centre for Climate Change and Development, Sanjay Vashist, Director, CAN South Asia, Lola Vallejo, Climate Program Director, IDDRI. They proposed that EU should support the establishment of the Loss and Damage fund under the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement, in order to ensure that its functions and governance is deeply rooted in equity, common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, CBDR-RC and polluters-pays principles. On account of its historical responsibility for the climate crisis, the EU should pledge significant new and additional funds to support the loss and damage fund.
https://cansouthasia.net/our-work/understanding-climate-impact/the-summit-for-a-new-global-financial-pact-paris-palais-brongniart-22-23-june-2023/
INDIA
Indigenous People’s Climate Justice Forum
Wishing our new members a very warm welcome to the CANSA family!
CANSA IN THE NEWS
https://cansouthasia.net/resources/cansa-in-the-news/
Paris finance meet: Momentum builds for polluter taxes to fund green transition
DownToEarth | 23rd June 2023
Kolkata Municipal Corporation launches work on city’s climate action plan
The Hindu Businessline | 7th June 2023
Kolkata set to get own climate action plan, 2nd city after Mumbai
The Times of India | 7th June 2023
Work on climate action plan for Kolkata to start on World Environment Day
The Telegraph | 4th June 2023
Sustainable and Resilient Communities – Kolkata Dialogue Climate Change, Health & Disasters – Insight for the G20
Akashbani Kolkata covers Kolkata Dialogue | 1st June 2023
Sustainable and Resilient Communities – Kolkata Dialogue Climate Change, Health & Disasters – Insight for the G20
Doordarshan coverage Kolkata Dialogue | 1st June 2023
Not enough funds for Kol climate action: Min
The Times Of India | 30 May 2023
Climate Concerns: Eco-warriors are missing the forest for the tree
The Free Press Journal | 8 May 2023
What is India bringing to the G20 table on climate?
The Third Pole | 1st May 2023
CANSA signs MOU for joint collaboration with Amrita University’s School for Sustainable Development and the UNESCO Chair on Experiential Learning for Sustainable Innovation & Development
The two-day C20 SRC working group summit on “Sustainable and Resilient Communities Conclave” in Sikkim, from 29 to 30th of April 2023, concluded with a formal ceremony where Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (University’s) School for Sustainable Development and the UNESCO Chair on Experiential Learning for Sustainable Innovation & Development. This was part of a larger MOU signing with partner C20 organizations. CANSA members such as Vasudha Foundation and WOTR, were part of the MOU signing, apart from eight other civil society organizations.
https://cansouthasia.net/cansa-signs-mou-for-joint-collaboration-with-amrita-universitys-school-for-sustainable-development-and-the-unesco-chair-on-experiential-learning-for-sustainable-innovation-development/
Low-Carbon, Climate-Resilient Eco-Village Development in South Asia
This report is published in the framework of a civil society cooperation project titled “Next Generation Low Carbon, Climate Resilient Eco-Village Development in South Asia” in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
This report is a compilation of Eco-Village Development project solutions in order to achieve an improved standard of living for climate-vulnerable rural communities in South Asia by integration of local sustainable solutions that contribute to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience building. The concept is a prosperous and proven development concept that the partners developed and have the competence to scale-up, through eight years of cooperation, and much longer individual experiences.
For CANSA’s Upcoming Events, do check the following section on our website:
Sensitization Visit with West Bengal Lawmakers and Government Officials to Sundarbans
Celebrated as a World Heritage Site, Sundarbans, the world’s largest contiguous stretch of mangroves, trees and wetlands that survive in brackish water, is under threat. Mangroves provide timber and food, prevent soil erosion, support marine life, and buffer the coasts of India and Bangladesh against storms and tidal waves. The blog by Divyanshi Yadav, who was part of a sensitization visit with West Bengal lawmakers and government officials, organized by CANSA and EnGIO to document and understand the challenges faced by the people of Sundarbans through direct interaction with the village pradhans and community people.
https://cansouthasia.net/sensitisation-visit-with-west-bengal-lawmakers-and-government-officials-to-sundarbans/
G20 on Climate Change and Health Hazards
Climate change is a critical global issue – it also exacerbates existing health risks, and its effects are felt most severely by vulnerable populations – children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing medical conditions. Access to affordable and quality healthcare remains a challenge for poor and low-income households worldwide. Burning of fossil fuels causes climate change, also air pollution and health problems. Sanjay Vashist writes about the crucial role of India and G20, with its significant economic resources, can play in addressing climate change, and that of the Troika of developing countries in shaping the group’s agenda.
https://cansouthasia.net/g20-on-climate-change-and-health-hazards/
Kolkata Dialogue: Insights for the G20 on Climate Change, Health & Disasters
The Kolkata dialogue deliberated on two main themes, ‘Preparing for Health Impacts of Climate Change’, and ‘Disaster Risk Resilience in Times of Climate Change’, to gather inputs for Sustainable and Resilient Communities Working Group of C20 for submission to G20. A just transition pathway should focus on providing basic amenities, reducing vulnerabilities and building long-term resilience in a manner that incorporates region/state-specific concerns and needs along the process.
https://cansouthasia.net/event-summary-report-sustainable-and-resilient-communities-kolkata-dialogue-climate-change-health-disasters-insights-for-the-g20/
Combatting the Climate Crisis: An Opportunity for Health Sector and Civil Society Leadership
The day-long seminar and high level policy C20 roundtable “Combatting the Climate Crisis: An Opportunity for Health Sector and Civil Society Leadership” held at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences on 24 April 2023, was an important event. Leaders from the health care sector and civil society groups came together to frame the climate crisis from the health lens and provide a pathway of solutions that prioritize health-based climate actions. Read about it here:
https://cansouthasia.net/a-report-on-seminar-and-high-level-c20-policy-roundtable-combatting-the-climate-crisis-an-opportunity-for-health-sector-and-civil-societyleadership/
Congratulations to BEDS on receiving prestigious National Environment Award 2022
BEDS (Bangladesh Environment and Development Society) received the prestigious National Environment Award 2022 on 5 June 2023, for outstanding contribution in environmental education and publicity category at the institutional level. The Hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ministry Mr. Muhammad Hasan Mahmud, handed over this award at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center, Dhaka, on behalf of the Hon. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hon. Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry Md. Shahab Uddin, presided as Chairman, and Hon. Deputy Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry Begum Habibun Nahar, MP and Hon. Chairman of the permanent committee of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry Saber Hossain Chowdhury, MP were present as special guests of the program. On behalf of BEDS, Chief Executive Md. Maksudur Rahman received the award.
BEDS expressed sincerest gratitude to all the beneficiaries, donors, partners and all the well-wishers of BEDS for their continuous cooperation, support, guidance and well wishes.
Resilient Future International (RFI), Islamabad – short documentary film as advocacy effort showcased at Transitional Committee meeting on Loss & Damage Fund, 25-27 May, Bonn
RFI trained staff of a local organization Sujag Sansaar on the concept of Loss and Damage Fund and importance of Transitional Committee Meetings. Sujag Sansaar works in Johi Dadu, the worst affected area of Pakistan floods in 2022.
RFI then, together with Sujag staff, developed a short documentary, Voices for Climate Justice – Los sand Damage Fund Now! with an objective to show the world economic and non-economic losses and their impacts on poor people eight months after the floods. It showcased stories of a school girl, a pregnant lady, a heart patient woman, a farmer, a livestock trader and a university student. They all demanded quick and adequate international funds.
The documentary was launched a day before the Bonn meeting of Transitional Committee on Loss and Damage and was watched and tweeted by CAN senior leadership and others who participated the meeting.
The documentary is available at Voices for Climate Justice: Loss & Damage Fund Now! – YouTube
RFI worked with mainstream print media to highlight the urgency of speed and scale of Loss and Damage Fund just before the Transition Committee Bonn meeting on the subject.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1073954-climate-change-world-community-urged-to-make-damage-fund-operational
https://www.app.com.pk/national/rfi-releases-documentary-on-urgency-of-intl-finances-for-damages-of-climate-change/
Celebration of World Environment Day in Afghanistan
World Environmental Day was celebrated by CANSA member agencies in Afghanistan. REHA (Resilience, Environment, and Humanitarian Aid), facilitated the celebration with the financial support of Future Generations Afghanistan (FGA).
REHA conducted a Roundtable Discussion on Environmental Issues and Humanitarian Action in Afghanistan. Over 60 experts and policymakers contributed to this important conversation. They discussed the insights and ideas that help experts find solutions in developing and integrating environmental conservation and climate change issues to cope with humanitarian challenges in Afghanistan. The objective was to bring the attention of all pertinent partners and stakeholders to the issues of environment, climate change, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), food security, and agriculture, which have been overlooked and neglected in the last two years in Afghanistan.
Evidence-Based Perception in Losses and Damages focusing on South Asia
South Asian countries face significant economic losses in key sectors, such as agriculture, energy, tourism, etc. which render it difficult to reduce poverty or sustain rapid economic growth though there is very little information sharing occurring at the regional level in South Asia.
There is a need for more information on climate change impacts and how loss and damage is being incurred now as well as in the future. To better understand loss and damage more data is needed which will require technology transfer, capacity building and financial support. In this regard, the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) in collaboration with Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) and Irish aid collaborating to collect and document the future pathways to address loss & damage.
The main objectives of the assignment Is to develop report on synthesize knowledge and perceptions of Loss and Damage from South Asian Countries. The primary observation and understanding are already shared in CBA17 (Community Based Adaptation Conference, 17). Under the same project, capacity building training for LDC Negotiators and Collection of the stories under the title of voices from the frontliners.
