One year of Voices for Just Climate Action
The world is increasingly becoming aware of the devastating impacts that the climate crisis has not only on nature, but also on people. In February of this year, the IPCC stressed that the consequences of the crisis hit the world’s most vulnerable places and people disproportionally. It also made clear that it’s possible to bend the curve. In collaboration with those who face the brunt of climate change, and with nature as our ally. The concept of Climate Justice has never been more relevant.
Keen to act upon this urgency, WWF-NL is actively contributing to put locally-shaped climate action at the center of the global climate debate. We do this together with our strategic VCA Alliance partners, driven by a clear vision: “By 2025, local civil society groups have a central role as empowered innovators, facilitators and advocates of climate solutions”.
To live up to its ambitious vision, the VCA Alliance has in its first year focused on establishing a strong foundation for the program. The movement building strategy is therefore crucial to ensure the inclusive participation of the people most affected by the climate crisis: women, youth, indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs). This is considered as one of the legacies of the VCA program.
During this challenging first year, WWF and the VCA Alliance partners have contributed to important outcomes in the field of sustainable policies and practices, through their lobby and advocacy efforts towards local, national and international stakeholders.
Over 150 local civil society organisations (CSOs) have been engaged as partners. In Latin America, they are developing their capacities in building partnerships and advocating for the rights of IPLCs. In Africa, they are establishing dialogues with and gaining the endorsement of local governments to shape relevant climate policies to secure water, energy and food systems. In Indonesia, local CSOs are strengthening the relation between IPLCs and government to protect land tenure rights. Furthermore, climate activists supported by the VCA Alliance are increasing their visibility at international forums. A memorable highlight is Txai Surui’s striking opening speech at COP 26 in Glasgow.
But the work has just began. WWF-NL and its Alliance partners embrace the numerous lessons learned. This report provides a perspective of WWF’s contributions to VCA’s achievements thus far and highlights ways in which the VCA program adds value to WWF’s work. Not only for this first year, but to keep working every day for Just Climate Action.
The Climate Crisis that we are facing has no frontiers. We believe it is only possible to foster a just transition to low-carbon and climate-resilient futures with a new level of civil society leadership. This is what Voices for Just Climate Action stand for.
