The Action for Climate Empowerment Day at COP 25 was held on Tuesday 10 December 2019.

For the concept note and preliminary agenda of the ACE Day at COP 25, please click here.

Background

Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) is the focus of Article 6 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and Article 12 of the Paris Agreement related to education, training, public awareness, public participation, public access to information and international cooperation.

At COP 24 in Katowice, Parties adopted a decision on ACE, part of the work programme of the Paris Agreement. The decision recognizes the key role that ACE plays in promoting changes in lifestyles, attitudes and behaviours needed to foster low-emission, climate-resilient sustainable development. In addition, the decision calls on Parties to appoint ACE national focal points, develop ACE national strategies and integrate ACE into all mitigation and adaptation activities and climate policies, including Nationally Determined Contributions.   

The Doha Work Programme on ACE will be reviewed in 2020, and the post-2020 ACE agenda is expected to be adopted at COP 26 in Glasgow. As such, the ACE High-level Event at COP 25 will call for commitments to raise ambition and mobilize support to the implementation of the ACE agenda.  

Objectives

• Promote the role of Action for Climate Empowerment as a key driver in the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
• Mobilize support and non-Party stakeholder engagement for Action for Climate Empowerment.
• Announce commitments by national governments and non-Party stakeholders.

Description

This high-level event during ACE Day at COP 25 brought together ministers of environment and education as well as non-Party stakeholders to discuss how to raise ambition and foster implementation of the Paris Agreement through Action for Climate Empowerment.  

Participation

The High-level event was open to Parties, experts, practitioners, other stakeholders, teachers, youth organizations, and media.

For other side events and exhibits during ACE Day at COP 25, please click here.