Nature is the planet’s greatest asset. Not just for its beauty, but the fact it’s integral to our survival.

Only by taking urgent action to halt and reverse the loss of nature this decade, can we hope to achieve the promise of the Paris Agreement. Since COP26, approximately USD 11 billion has been committed towards activities that support restoration and conservation of nature, including via the Forests Climate Leadership Partnership and AFR 100. But in reality trillions of dollars must shift from financing nature-depleting activities towards financing nature-positive activities.

Looking ahead to next month’s UN Biodiversity Conference, the message on Biodiversity Day is clear – we must do more to recognise nature’s fundamental role as part of the climate solution and catalyze concrete measures to protect and restore it.

Today’s Key Announcements

• The COP27 Presidency launches the Enhancing Nature-based Solutions(NbS) for Climate Transformation (ENACT) in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The aim is to drive collective action across climate, biodiversity and desertification to help close the finance gap for nature-based solutions. ENACT will serve as a hub for government and non-State actors to foster collaboration, accelerate action, facilitate policy dialogue and bring global coherence to activities. The partnership will ensure adherence to the NbS Global Standard.
• The recently launched High-Quality Blue Carbon Principles andGuidance outlines what’s needed to create high-quality blue carbon projects and credits to ensure accountability, sustainability, and transparency in the marketplace. This is in response to the growing demand for blue carbon credits which has attracted many new actors. Coastal blue carbon ecosystems are valued at over USD 190 billion per year and are estimated to reduce costs associated with impacts such as flooding by over USD 65 billion annually.
• Launch of Beat the Heat: Nature for Cool Cities Challenge. Cities in developing countries are invited to participate in the challenge by pledging to increase nature based solutions in their urban areas by 2030 and demonstrate tangible progress by 2025. Participants will be supported via funding, technical assistance, partnership opportunities, and communications support.
• Belgium, Colombia, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, the UK and the US join the Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA). The Alliance aims to be a global driving force for the uptake of offshore wind by bringing together governments, international organisations and the private sector to close the emissions gap and enhance energy security. The Alliance was founded at COP26 by Denmark, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).
• The Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) Offtake Pocket Guide is launched by the World Economic Forum’s Clean Skies for Tomorrow initiative and the Sustainable Markets Initiative. The guide explains how businesses can help to decarbonize aviation by purchasing SAF for their corporate travel in order to signal demand and leadership while other business cases and long-term policy are developed. Leading companies and governments have set the goal for SAF to meet 10% of aviation’s fuel needs globally by 2030.

GLOBAL CLIMATE ACTION EVENTS SCHEDULE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND WEBCAST, ACCESS HERE

• Marrakech Partnership Oceans and Coastal Zones Action Event, Implementing Ocean-Based Climate Action to Build Coastal Adaptation and Resilience

Location: Action Room 1 (Ibis)

Time: 10:00 – 12:00

• Marrakech Partnership Implementation Lab, Engineering the Vision for Climate Resilient Transport

Location: Action Room 2 (Lotus)

Time: 10:30 – 12:00

• Marrakech Partnership Transport Action Event Location: Action Room 1 (Ibis)

Time : 12:30 – 14:30

• Marrakech Partnership Implementation Lab, Building Resilient Infrastructure along the Coast

Location: Action Room 2 (Lotus)

Time : 13:00 – 14:30

• Futures Lab, Restructuring the Law For a Net Zero Future Location: Climate Action Stage, Innovation Zone

Time : 13:00 – 14:30

• 2030 is Today: How can we halve the emissions of the built environment by 2030?

Location: Buildings Pavilion

Time : 13:30 – 16:30

• Marrakech Partnership Implementation Lab, Blue Carbon Implementation Lab

Location: Action Room 2 (Lotus)

Time : 15:00 – 16:30

• Futures Lab, Repairing Our World, to Avoid Runaway Climate Change

Location: Nature Zone, Area C

Time : 16:00 – 17:30

Pre-register here

Watch livestream here

• Marrakech Partnership Implementation Lab, A climate smart, equitable and resilient Maritime Sector

Location: Action Room 2 (Lotus)

Time : 17:00 – 18:30

Pre-register here

EXPLORE COP27

The Ocean Pavilion

For the first time, the ocean is taking centre stage inside the COP Blue Zone. The Ocean Pavilion brings together world leaders in ocean science, engineering, and policy to carry the message that the ocean matters to everyone, everywhere and that science must lead the way in our quest for safe, long-term solutions to

climate change. A full programme of events is here

The Children and Youth Pavilion

For the first time ever at a UNFCCC Conference, children and young people have a dedicated space at COP27 alongside world leaders, ministers, prominent non-State actors and other delegates. Designed to amplify children and youth voices within global climate policymaking, the COP27 Children and Youth Pavilion is entirely led by young people and has been co-created and run by influential child and youth networks. A full programme of events is here.

The Resilience Hub: Showcasing Resilience Solutions Everyday

The Resilience Hub continues to deliver on its mandate to elevate the knowledge of front line leaders and demonstrate locally-informed resilience solutions which can be implemented at scale. Click here for the full agenda. The Hub is accessible in-person in Area C and virtually here.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…

Green hydrogen could sustainably industrialise Africa and boost GDP by 6 to 12% in six key countries – new report

A new report assesses the green hydrogen opportunity across the six countries in the Africa Green Hydrogen Alliance (AGHA), concluding that by 2030 AGHA can grab up to 17% of the green hydrogen deployment needed to align with 1.5°C and create up to 4 million new jobs by 2050.

“The window on fossil fuel investment must be rapidly closed before it is unceremoniously slammed shut, with disastrous consequences”

Tzeporah Berman, Chair for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty & Carroll Muffet, President and CEO for the Center for International Environmental Law, explain why significant momentum is building behind the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Maritime sector and green hydrogen leaders agree on ambitious targets and collaboration to reach zero emissions global shipping by 2050

Ten organizations signed the Joint Statement on Green Hydrogen and Green Shipping, committing to rapid adoption of green hydrogen-based fuels this decade to get on track for full decarbonization of the shipping sector by 2050, and calling on policymakers to help achieve the ambitious targets.

Introducing the Clean Power Breakthroughs

The global power sector is the source of over 30% of all emissions, a figure that is on track to grow with global economic development and the electrification of transportation and building sectors. Find out how we’re supporting the sector’s plans to make renewables 60% of global electricity generation within the decade.