Highlights of the Climate Chance Summit

In September, Nantes hosted the first edition of Climate Chance, a summit for non-state actors committed to climate. From September 26 to 28, thousands of participants took part in conferences, forums and workshops to give a voice and a place to NGOs, the civil society, the private sector and youth on climate change issues. While our partners Eau Vive presented the Butterfly Effect network, the ISW-SWE  participated in youth initiatives for Water and Climate. The organizers aim to make this Summit, the official preparatory meeting for non-state actors to the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC. Here are a few  highlights of the Climate Chance Summit.

Water and Climate

The water-related issues were highlighted at the conference “Water and Climate” that rallied the various non-state actors of the field to present their initiatives. Indeed, the theme of the conference was entitled “Water: a connector for the fight against climate change.” Thus, several partners SIE-SWE such as the International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO) spoke on adaptation to climate change in basins, rivers and lakes. Our partners of Eau Vive have also presented the Butterfly Effect network to raise the voice of civil society and of their actions in the sector. Finally, various actors in the water sector, including our partners Coalition Eau, proposed a road map for non-state actors to address the present and future challenges of climate chance.

Youth

In addition, the summit organizers have given a place for youth on various platforms for discussion. A delegation of Francophone youth was present to promote regional actions from the White Paper of the “Paris for a water” conducted last December as part of COP21 in Paris. Under the themes of the action and the inclusion of youth in international negotiations and field projects, Franco-Québécois Offices (OFQJ) Youth and the Global Water Partnership (GWP) highlighted the concrete actions taken by youth since the drafting of the Livre Blanc. During a TV appearance, the importance of youth involvement was mentioned not only in regional projects, but also in the negotiations and decision-making at major international events such as the Conferences of the Parties.

So, after three days of conferences and workshops,  members of the youth delegation took part in the closing ceremony. They sent a message to decision makers of today and tomorrow: “Associating youth in decisions, it’s ensuring the transition! ”

 

The declaration of Nantes is now available and will be presented at the COP22 in Marrakech, Morocco in November.