Addressing climate change effectively is not only a challenge, it is also an opportunity. Growth that is
based on high resilience and low carbon is at the centre of all efforts to address climate change. There are
myriad opportunities to benefit people directly, while at the same time contributing to global efforts to
control emissions or enhance adaptation capacity, and these opportunities have already been seized by many
stakeholders, at national or sub- national levels.
The idea of addressing climate change by looking for positive opportunities is often lost amongst the
challenges of limited capacity, resources and political will.
Therefore, the UNFCCC secretariat has developed the concept of 'Momentum for Change' as a way to
demonstrate the multiple benefits of addressing climate change and to transform misperceptions surrounding
taking action on climate change. The secretariat believes that highlighting and enhancing the positive
developments in the field of climate change mitigation and adaptation, will increase innovation, motivation,
hope, passion and capacity for further change. Change can be positive and positive change can create escalating
virtuous cycles.
Momentum for Change currently has three pillars:
Urban Poor: recognizing activities
addressing climate change while improving the lives of the urban poor, implemented with the generous
support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation;
Women for Results: recognizing the
critical leadership and participation of women in addressing climate change, implemented with the generous
support of the Rockefeller Foundation;
Financing for Climate-Friendly
Investment: recognizing successful financial innovations for adaptation and climate mitigation,
implemented in partnership with the World Economic Forum.
Momentum for Change will continue to evolve over time, focusing on various important aspects of the overall
global climate change effort.
The UNFCCC secretariat is building Momentum for Change.
People, companies, organizations and communities everywhere around the world are making the Change for Good
Press Release: 2012
Lighthouse Activities