Date: 19/10/2020
Venue: Online – Zoom, by registration

Wetlands hold some of the largest storages of carbon on the planet which makes their protection, conservation and restoration key nature-based solutions for both climate mitigation and adaptation.

Despite this potential wetlands have not featured prominently within climate commitments related to the Paris Agreement. Largely overlooked in this process, wetlands are not being valued for the part they can play in enhancing the ambition of climate action. As countries are revising their Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement, now is the time to ensure that wetland conservation, restoration and wise-use is recognised, valued and implemented as a solution to the climate and biodiversity crisis.

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Raising awareness of the role of wetlands in climate action

Wetlands International and Youth Engaged in Wetlands are partnering to raise awareness among youth of the role of wetlands in countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) or their climate plans. As part of this event, youth groups and interested individuals are invited to share their perspectives on the priority of healthy wetlands in their sector, country or region, as well as their views on how to make wetlands a priority in the national climate process.

The youth dialogue comprises two parts

• Discussion between youth working on intersecting topics related to wetlands and climate change
• Proposed advocacy action — a joint call from youth addressed to decisionmakers involved in developing NDCs

Objective

The event will provide a space for young people engaged in areas such as biodiversity, climate change and water management to share, explore and assess how their experiences and backgrounds can contribute to building momentum for the role of wetlands in climate action. Through the dialogue, participants will establish together a pathway for advocacy action, highlighting key concerns, shared importance, and values of youth from different sectors.

Target audience

Young people and youth groups engaged in topics related to wetland conservation, biodiversity, climate change and water and interested in working together across sectors to make a difference in climate action.

About the Dialogue

Date and time:                19 October at 12.00-14.00 UTC / 14.00-16.00 CET

Session accessibility:    Registration required via Zoom

Format:

Opening              Introduction and background of the session by Youth Engaged in Wetlands

LEARNING – Setting the scene (45 mins)

• Committing to below 2˚C and the need for more ambitious climate action: the NDCs and wetlands. Presenter: Talia Chorover, NDC Partnership
• The role of healthy wetlands in climate action, challenges for the inclusion of wetlands in climate change policy. Presenter:  Gina Lovett, Wetlands International
• Panama’s NDC and blue carbon: Belén Castillo, Ministry of Environment of Panama
• Q&A

SHARING – Breakout group discussion (25 min)

• What is your involvement so far in climate action?
• What do you see as the role of wetlands in your sector?
• According to you, what are key enablers and leverage points that can help integrate wetlands into climate action?
• What is the role of youth for integrating wetlands in climate action from the local to the global level?

ACTIVATING – next steps (20 mins)

• Summary of the dialogue – key takeaways
• Agreement on next steps

Close (5 mins)