Climate Action: 2018 Momentum For Change Awards Announced

The United Nations Climate Change secretariat has opened the call for applications for the 2018 Momentum for Change Awards to showcase action and ambition as national governments work toward implementing the Paris Agreement.

The governments are also expected to work towards the implementation of the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

A press release issued by the Secretariat and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra said organisations, cities, industries, governments and other key players that were taking the lead on tackling climate change could nominate their game-changing projects for a United Nations award.

According to the release, selected initiatives, called 'Lighthouse Activities,' shine a light on innovative, scalable and replicable examples of what people were doing to address climate change, in the hope of inspiring others to act.

The winning activities would be recognised and celebrated during a series of special events to showcase global climate action in December at the UN Climate Change Conference in Katowice, Poland.

'The Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action was launched to highlight climate action already underway around the world, and to spur governments, businesses and other key players to go further, faster together,' said Nick Nuttall, UN Climate Change Spokesperson.

'The Momentum for Change Lighthouse Activities provides visibility and recognition to this wealth of real-world implementation by governments and business to cities, communities and civil society.'

'It is time for the whole world to raise ambition under the Paris Climate Change Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, our awards show it is already happening while offering inspiration to others to take the next big steps to a better future,' he added.

The 2018 Momentum for Change Lighthouse Activities would recognise climate action that was already achieving real results in four categories which are: Women for Results, recognising the critical leadership and participation of women in addressing climate change, implemented in collaboration with Masdar's WiSER initiative.

Financing for Climate Friendly Investment; recognising successful financial innovations for adaptation and climate mitigation, implemented in partnership with the World Economic Forum Global Project on Climate Change.

Planetary Health; recognising novel solutions that balance the need for both human health and a healthy planet, implemented with support by The Rockefeller Foundation.

Climate Neutral Now; recognising efforts by individuals, companies and governments that are achieving real results in transitioning to climate neutrality, implemented with the secretariat's Climate Neutral Now initiative.

GNA
By Josephine Naaeke, GNA