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In this section
The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) marks a pivotal moment in the global effort to address climate change. Within this crucial gathering, a spotlight shines on the vital intersection of humanitarian efforts and energy solutions.
The discussions at COP28 underscore the recognition that equitable and reliable access to energy is integral to humanitarian response, fostering economic development, improving health outcomes, and enhancing overall resilience for vulnerable communities. As nations come together to negotiate and strategize, the conference provides a unique opportunity to forge collaborative solutions that integrate humanitarian concerns into the broader framework of global climate action.
Please see the official COP28 website for more events here.
The GPA presents a draft program with the principal events for the humanitarian sector, while not exhaustive, a schedule of expected humanitarian energy-related events is below; it will be continuously updated as details become available. If you have a humanitarian energy-related event you would like added to the calendar, please email: energy@unitar.org
Key Events
Economist Impact Discussion: Energy Transition & Fragility
Date: 02 December; Time: 17.45-18.45 GST.
Hosted by: Economist Impact
Venue: Blue Zone - Business Pavilion (We Mean Business Coalition Auditorium).
Watch live here.
Description: As world leaders meet to discuss pathways for transitioning to a low-carbon economy, conflict, weak governance, and distrust of institutions dominate the agenda in many countries and regions around the world. While much attention is rightly given to making the transition more just, we want to dive into how the energy transition looks amidst conflict or where governance is otherwise limited. Renewable and distributed technologies are providing energy where central authorities cannot, and with it many basic services. How can fragile and weakly-governed communities navigate the challenges and opportunities of transition? How does the resilient delivery of energy and associated services empower local communities, drive development, and orient political power? How will energy transition affect state legitimacy, and will it serve as a force for peace? What role can the private sector and international finance play where government reach is limited? Join this key conversation with Economist Impact at COP28 together with business leaders, policymakers and experts to discuss the specific shape and impacts of energy transition in fragile states and regions.
Date: 03 December; Time: 10:00 – 12:00 GST.
Co-hosted by: UNDOS, UNDPO, IRENA, Norway, UAE, UNHCR, Chatham House, SE4All, SOLCO, IKEA Foundation, UNITAR/GPA, and others.
Venue: Green Zone - Women's Pavilion. Separate registration is required for the Green Zone. Register here.
Watch live here.
Description: Countries experiencing security and humanitarian challenges have the lowest energy access rates, yet the highest energy costs, resulting in fragility and barriers to climate finance and economic development. The transition of humanitarian and peacekeeping operations to renewable energy presents a unique opportunity for both, the United Nations and countries hosting these operations to deliver on climate, development, peace, and security objectives. This event will showcase progress of the Energy Compact on Renewable Energy for United Nations Peacekeeping and seeks to contribute to the humanitarian sector's transition to renewable energy to increase efficiency and reduce costs and carbon emissions.
Rethinking Displaced People’s Positionality in Climate and Energy Interventions
Date: 03 December; Time: 11:45-12:30 GST.
Co-hosted by: UNITAR/GPA, Ashden, Chatham House, GRN, Carbon Trust.
Venue: Blue Zone - SDG Pavilion
Watch live here.
Description: This interactive panel discussion will facilitate and guide along the content of the newly published Inclusivity Strategy for Humanitarian Energy’s Strategic Outlook, which aims to bring high-level humanitarian, development and refugee-led organisation leaders together to discuss the current role of displaced persons in humanitarian programming with a strong focus on climate and energy concerns in displacement settings, and collectively rethink their role in decision-making spaces, challenging the sector’s non-inclusive practices to date.
Displaced People Taking Action on Loss & Damage: Local Solutions on the Climate Frontlines
Date: 04 December; Time: 11:30 – 13:00 GST.
Co-hosted by: UNHCR, ICRC, IFRC, IOM, OCHA, OHCHR, WFP, UNITAR/GPA .
Venue: Blue Zone - SE Room 3
Watch live here.
Description: Displaced people and their host communities are taking action in fragile and conflict affected contexts on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Hear from them directly on local solutions that strengthen resilience and peaceful coexistence – urgently in need of scaled up financing and support. The partners in this collaboration have committed to giving all seats on the panel to representatives from displaced and host communities who are taking action in fragile and conflict affected contexts on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
Addressing Loss & Damage from Climate Change: Perspectives & Solutions from the Humanitarian Sector
Date: 04 December; Time: 13:15 -14:45 GST.
Co-hosted by: UNHCR, WFP, OCHA, UNICEF.
Venue: Blue Zone - SE Room 2
Description: National humanitarian actors (first responders to loss & damage), governments & international humanitarian organisations will discuss existing solutions to address & minimize loss & damage from climate change; focusing on the principles of urgency, localization & prioritisation of fragile contexts. Speakers: Community-Based Organisation (CBO) Representative - in discussions with Somalia, South Sudan Government Representative from fragile context – in discussions with Bangladesh - Minister or DG level UNCT Representative Loss & Damage Negotiator
Date: 04 December; Time: 16:00-17:00 GST.
Hosted by: UNHCR
Venue: Blue Zone - Climate Mobility Pavilion
Description: This side event will serve as a platform to translate the aspirations of the COP28 Declaration on Climate, Relief, Recovery and Peace into actionable commitments that stakeholders will take forward to the GRF and beyond, connecting these policy spaces. It will foster multistakeholder collaboration and partnerships to address climate-related impacts affecting refugees, other displaced communities, and their hosting communities, promoting their strengthened inclusion in climate action.
Empowering Youth in the Journey Toward Addressing Climate and Energy Challenge in Humanitarianism
Date: 05 December; Time: 11:25 - 11:55 GST.
Co-hosted by: UNITAR/GPA, Global Refugee-led Network
Venue: Blue Zone - Children and Youth Pavilion
Watch live here.
Description: The GPA-Transforming Humanitarian Energy Access team, in collaboration with refugee leaders, aim to utilise the youth platform to convey the refugee youths’ concern about their engagement and consideration in the humanitarian sector. The session will be strategic in showcasing the opportunities and values that displaced youth can contribute to advancing the effectiveness of humanitarian intervention across areas of energy access and climate action.
Climate Classroom: Inclusion in Energy Access and Climate Action
Date: 07 December; Time: 13:00- 13:45 GST (10:00 – 10:45 CET)
Hosted by: UNITAR/GPA.
Venue: Online on Zoom; Please register here to participate.
Description: COP events have been a strategic moment for stakeholders, particularly energy actors, to discuss prominent global issues such as climate change. The gathering has been strategically utilised to influence policy, as well as set up global targets and reflect on the progress made toward addressing climate change and transitioning to clean energy provision and access. Following the role of COP events in influencing policy and other global agendas that influence the lives of people in general and those of the displaced people in particular (a group of people hardly involved in these high-level conversations), the GPA–THEA will host an online climate classroom to convey the message on the need for inclusion in the response plan of climate change and energy transition in displacement setting.
Date: 10 December; Time: 16:00-17:00 GST
Hosted by: UNEP, IOM, NDC Partnership and the Govt. of Uganda.
Venue: Blue Zone - Climate Mobility Pavilion
Description: The session will discuss concrete policies, strategic partnerships and delivery models to address the economic and environmental challenges faced by countries seeing growing volumes of climate-induced mobility and hosting large numbers of long-term displaced populations. The session will showcase some of the progressive actions being pursued by countries such as Uganda, who championed the Regional KDMECC in 2022 and have partnered with Kenya in 2023 to take forward its continental expansion (KDMECC-AFRICA) at the Africa Climate Summit in September.
Date: 10 December; Time: 10:00-11:30 GST
Hosted by: FAO
Venue: Green Zone - Humanitarian Hub, Women's Pavilion. Separate registration is required for the Green Zone. Register here
Last updated: 30/11/2023