Our event series aims to bring together practitioners, advocates, and others who share an interest in exploring and discussing how we may use the climate crisis as a catalyst for great leaps in addressing the complex challenges involved in confronting climate change in a manner that advances sustainable development, well-being, and resilient livelihoods for all.
Greater support and action on adaptation is a longstanding need, as outlined in the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), established under the 2015 Paris Agreement. The estimated cost of adaptation for developing countries could reach up to US$387 billion annually within this decade, underscoring the importance of addressing the scale and frequency of climate-related disasters and impacts. The GGA is a framework to provide measurable targets, indicators, and guidelines aimed at catalyzing adaptation initiatives and enhancing financing and support for developing countries. Yet, putting the GGA into action has proved challenging.
On February 22, Aga Khan Foundation Canada and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) hosted a virtual event on advancing global action on adaptation and the implications of COP28’s adaptation-related outcomes. The event will included presentations, a panel discussion with experts, and was followed by a Q&A, and interactive discussion groups. Watch the recording.
As changemakers and emerging leaders, youth are increasingly seeking opportunities to learn and develop the skills needed to address the global climate crisis and confront related injustices.
On November 23, in anticipation of the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) convened a session on youth climate education. This event focused on exploring innovative approaches to climate education, both within Canada and globally. Watch the recording.
From Knowledge to Practice: Mainstreaming Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Nature-Based Solutions for Adaptation
Nature-based Solutions (NbS) that are designed to be responsive to intersectional gender difference present an opportunity to address climate change adaptation needs.
On October 19, 2023, Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC), the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) (under the Nature for Climate Adaptation Initiative), and Global Affairs Canada (GAC) hosted an interactive session on designing and implementing NbS that consider gender equality and social inclusion (GESI). Read the full summary or watch the recording.
From Knowledge to Practice: Advancing Biodiversity-Positive Nature-Based Climate Solutions for Adaptation
Advancing climate solutions that sustainably use ecosystems and preserve biodiversity is critical to help communities become more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
On June 22, 2023, Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC), the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) (under the Nature for Climate Adaptation Initiative), and Global Affairs Canada (GAC) hosted an interactive session focused on maximizing benefits for biodiversity and ecosystem health through nature-based climate solutions. Read the full summary or watch the recording.
Addressing Loss and Damage – COP27 Debrief
Loss And Damage Financing: A Critical Milestone on the Path for Climate Justice
Developing countries have long sought financial support to help recover from losses and damages sustained through severe weather, prolonged droughts, and other extreme events propagated by climate change. At COP27 – the UN climate conference held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt in November 2022 – Parties marked a significant milestone on the path for climate justice by agreeing to establish a financing mechanism to address loss and damage.
On December 1, 2022, Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) hosted a panel discussion, “Addressing Loss and Damage: A COP27 Debrief” to delve into the drivers, negotiations and potential outcomes stemming from the COP27 agreement to establish a loss and damage financing mechanism. Watch the recording.
From Knowledge to Practice: Advancing Gender-Responsive Nature-Based Climate Solutions
Gender-Responsive Nature-Based Climate Solutions Build Resilience Across Diverse Social and Ecological Landscapes
Nature-based climate solutions (NBCS) can contribute to conserving and restoring biodiversity and ecosystems while providing an opportunity for people to realize rights, sustainably use ecosystems on which they depend, and build their resilience to climate and related crises. Yet for this to hold true across communities, it is crucial to adopt inclusive, gender-responsive approaches to NBCS initiatives.
On October 7, 2022, Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) co-hosted From Knowledge to Practice: Advancing Gender-Responsive Nature-Based Climate Solutions, a capacity-building session on promoting gender equality through rights-based, inclusive approaches to NBCS. Read the full summary or watch the recording.
From Knowledge to Practice: Advancing Gender-Responsive Nature-Based Climate Solutions
The world is rushing towards the dangerous threshold of 1.5 degrees of global warming due to a lack of urgent action on climate change, while at the same time facing related crises such as biodiversity loss and severe food insecurity.
Nature-based solutions offer an effective approach to mitigating and adapting to climate change. By protecting, restoring, and sustainably managing ecosystems, nature-based solutions hold the potential to reduce climate-related risks and address the biodiversity crisis, while delivering social and economic benefits to those living within these ecosystems.
To explore the potential of nature-based solutions as well as the enabling policies they require, AKFC welcomed a hybrid (virtual and in-person) audience to the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa on June 23, 2022. Read the full summary or watch the recording.
Reframing Climate Action: Towards a more sustainable and inclusive future
As warning signs of climate breakdown grow ever more present in our daily lives, James Irungu Mwangi urges the global community to think of the climate crisis as a catalyst for positive change – with Africa in the lead.
Mwangi, executive director of the Dalberg Group and founder of the Climate Action Platform for Africa, made this case on May 12, 2022, as part of Reframing Climate Action, the first event in an AKFC speaker series on climate change resilience and adaptation.
AKFC welcomed an audience to the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa, to join Mwangi in a discussion on shifting the climate narrative in Africa from vulnerability to opportunity. Moderated by Sue Szabo, director general of Innovative and Climate Finance for Global Affairs Canada, the conversation explored Africa’s role in accelerating global climate action by pursuing inclusive, sustainable climate initiatives. Mwangi addressed the opportunity for Africa to transition to an inclusive, green economy that would open opportunities across society in sectors such as renewable energy, green production, carbon removal, and regenerative agriculture. Read the full summary or watch the recording.
