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Momentum for Change Events

Momentum for Change: Showcasing Climate Action in Warsaw

Momentum for Change showcased inspiring examples of people taking action on climate change across the globe during a series of special events at the Warsaw Climate Change Conference in November. The events told the stories of the 17 inspiring activities announced in November as 2013 Lighthouse Activities.

From a powerful, women-led climate campaign in Australia to a ground-breaking effort to build climate-smart housing in Mexico, the events showcased how climate action is improving lives, economies and the environment.

Google Hangout with Christiana Figueres

Women's leadership on climate change

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon rides a bamboo bicycle

Financing for Climate Friendly Investment

Press conference: Showcasing the groundswell of climate action around the world

Showcase event to recognize and celebrate the 2013 Lighthouse Activities

Climate solutions by and for the urban poor

Launch event: ICT Solutions

• Luis Neves, Chief Sustainability Officer, Deutsche Telekom
• Matilda Gustaffson, Sustainability Director, Ericsson
• Niall Dunne, Chief Sustainability Officer, BT
• Helen Asiamah, Director of Ghana's Environmental Protection Agency
• Gustavo Petro, Mayor of Bogotá, Columbia

On 4 December, the 2012 Momentum for Change Lighthouse Activity winners were celebrated as part of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Doha, Qatar, with a showcase event in the Theatre of the Qatar National Convention Centre. The nine 2012 winners fall under the Urban Poor pillar of Momentum for Change. This pillar, generously supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, recognizes activities that mitigate and/or adapt to climate change, bringing social, economic and environmental benefits to urban communities. Moderated by Shiulie Ghosh from Al-Jazeera, the event was opened by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres. When addressing the audience, Ban Ki-moon praised the winners' strong community engagement, as well as the importance of public private partnerships in addressing climate change.

On behalf of the lighthouse activity representatives, Neha Misra from Solar Sister and Jorge Delgado Guadalupe from Energy efficiency in artisanal brick kilns in Latin America, spoke about the importance of recognizing public and private partnerships as a concrete means to address climate change and eradicate world poverty. Neha quoted an African proverb: if u want to go fast, go alone, if u want to go far, go together The magnitude and urgency of climate change is such that we must go fast, we must go far and we have to go together. Following a recognition ceremony led by Kelly Rigg, Executive Director of the Global Call for Climate Action and Chair of the Momentum for Change Advisory Panel, the evening concluded with a musical performance by Ragheb Alama, UNEP Goodwill Ambassador for Climate Change in the Arab World.

Women for Results Launch Event

On 5 December, Momentum for Change: Women for Results was officially launched as part of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Doha, Qatar. Momentum for Change: Women for Results recognizes the critical leadership and participation of women in addressing climate change, and is looking for inspiring examples of activities from around the world that demonstrate measurable impact on the ground and potential for scalability and transformational change. Momentum for Change: Women for Results is graciously funded by the Rockefeller Foundation. The event was moderated by Al-Jazeera's Folly Bah Thibault, and included remarks by Heather Grady, vice president of the Rockefeller Foundation and Christiana Figueres.

The opening remarks were followed by a high-level roundtable discussion on the role of women as leaders on climate action, including Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator, Lakshmi Puri from UN Women Deputy Executive Director, Mary Robinson, President of the Mary Robinson Foundation - Climate Justice, and ministers Terezya Huvisa from Tanzania and Mariyam Shakeela from the Maldives.Webcast

Financing for Climate-Friendly Investment Launch Event

On 6 December, Momentum for Change: Finance for Climate-Friendly Investment was officially launched as part of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Doha, Qatar. Momentum for Change: Finance for Climate-Friendly Investment recognizes successful financial innovations delivering clean energy, adaptation and climate mitigation, and serve as an inspiration to replicate and scale up new models. This pillar is implemented in partnership with the World Economic Forum.

The initiative will showcase "lighthouse activities" that use innovative financing to make a difference in meeting the climate change challenge on the ground. These activities can serve as models for governments, businesses and industry looking for climate-friendly investment vehicles.

The event was moderated by Lord Nicholas Stern, and included remarks by Mohammed Saleh Abdulla Al Sada, Minister of minister of industry and energy of Qatar, Dominic Waughray, Senior Director and Head of Environment and Sustainability Initiatives for the World Economic Forum and UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres.

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Momentum for Change side events

11:30 – 13:00 Sustainable Transport:
Moderated by Luc Bas, The Climate Group
Ahmedabad, Bus Rapid Transit system, Janmarg;
Guangzhou Bus Rapid Transit;
Introduction of electric vehicles to Sri Lanka.

13:15 – 14:45 Building resilience against climate change:
Moderated by Heather Grady, Rockefeller Foundation
Adaptation to coastal erosion in vulnerable areas;
Carbon For Water;
Holistic approaches to community adaptation to climate change.

15:00 – 16:30 Mitigating climate change in urban communities:
Moderated by Dominic Waughray, World Economic Forum
Energy Efficiency at Brick Producers in Peru;
Organic waste compost in Nepal;
Solar Sister: A Women Powered Clean Energy Revolution.

Momentum for Change Launch Event, 2011 in Durban at COP 17/CMP 7

In 2011, the United Nations Climate Change Secretariat, in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, launched the first pillar of Momentum for Change. The launch of the Momentum for Change Initiative was introduced by Lord Nicholas Stern, who set the set scene of the significance of the climate change challenge the world faces this century. Following a film which highlighted the activities, the three special guests, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, President of COP 17/CMP 7, were invited to speak and provide their views on the topic.

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