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Climate justice requires a strong focus on the most vulnerable. Climate technology offers vast potential for mitigation and adaptation but requires massive capital. This side event at COP28 presents diverse voices on opportunities for making investment in climate technology pay real dividends for justice. 

When governments or companies select the site for a mine for a critical element or a renewable energy project, how are local interests addressed? Indigenous people, local communities, conservation organizations, and environmental justice groups all have legitimate and important perspectives. A just outcome requires consistent engagement with all stakeholders, throughout the processes of design, construction, and operation. Yet, this level of engagement often slows projects and can derail them completely. How can we structure the next generation of mitigation investments to ensure a good balance between operational efficiency and fair treatment of all stakeholders, when conflicts arise?

Adaptation investments raise parallel concerns. How do we decide who gets protected by the construction of a sea wall and who gets displaced? What processes should we be using to ensure just outcomes for communities that need to be relocated to reduce risks from climate-related extremes?

These issues get even thornier in an international setting. Many of the critical minerals for climate technology come from countries that are poor or lack good governance, especially for the front-line communities. Often, the sites for renewable energy production that look most attractive on the basis of technical feasibility are on traditional lands of indigenous peoples, who may lack clear land tenure and the legal and financial resources to effectively represent their cases.

Technology can help democratize access and control, but it can also have the opposite effect. Communities with limited financial sophistication struggle to take advantage of complex grant and loan programs. High-tech automobiles and home appliances tend to be expensive or complex, even with incentives.

Many strategies have the potential to increase inclusivity and transform climate technology into a force for increasing equity at the same time they address warming. But implementing these strategies requires intentional prioritization and a strong focus on broad engagement, from the start. This panel will explore options and pitfalls for delivering on the promise of climate solutions that advance justice.

This COP28 side event is sponsored by the International Centre for Climate Change and Development, the Independent University, Bangladesh, and Stanford University.

Panelists

Moderator: Chris Field, Director, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University

Mizan R. Khan, Deputy Director, International Centre for Climate Change and Development

Marcene Mitchell, Senior Vice President, Climate Change, World Wildlife Fund

Ambuj Sagar, Deputy Director, Strategy & Planning and Professor of Policy Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi

Mustafa Santiago Ali, Executive Vice President, National Wildlife Federation, USA

Where to Attend

In person: This event will be held onsite at COP28 on 12/6/23 @ 13:15pm GST in the Blue Zone, SE Room #6 (Building 85, Zone b6). See a map of the blue zone here. 

Virtual participation: This event will be available for active virtual participation on the COP 28 virtual platform, which is limited to duly registered conference participants.

Public livestream: The side event will be available to watch live and on-demand on the official secretariat-managed YouTube channel. Please note that active participation via YouTube and via the official UNFCCC website will not be available.

For more information about this and other COP28 side events, visit the UNFCCC website.