Scene-setting with Jacqueline Persson (Oxfam Novib) peace&justice café: Towards Climate Equity- April 18, 2023 Event Report Introduction with Oxfam Novib On April 18 over 120 people joined online and in-person at The Hague Humanity Hub for the peace&justice café: Towards Climate Equity. The event kicked off with a scene-setting featuring Jacqueline Persson of Oxfam Novib and host Conor Satterly in conversation about how we understand Climate Equity: with Jacqueline highlighting that we need to shift the narrative to an understanding that not every person is responsible for the same emissions levels, and this is a core inequality at the heart of the climate crisis. In order to achieve more equitable outcomes, though, we should look at climate inequalities on multiple levels, and think towards practically-oriented solutions (for example in food security) at the same time as having theoretical discussions on climate responsibility. Roundabouts The peace&justice café format includes multiple roundabouts hosted by experts from organisations in The Hague Humanity Hub’s community. In-keeping with the peace&justice café's position as a truly hybrid event, some roundabouts were exclusively online. . Rounabout with International AlertExploring what works in SDG 16 Approaches for Transformative Climate Action Led by Daniel Eggleston, IDLO During this roundabout, participants addressed the question of the gap between climate- relevant laws, and how enforcement and therefore accountability can work. Further, participants looked at how we can change and redefine terms like ‘adaptation’ and ‘growth’ to be climate sensitive, and so improve public discourse. In developing countries, too, pressure should be applied to governments to affect change in laws that protect collective action and climate activists. It was also highlighted that legal systems and institutions need reform to adapt to challenges such as the climate crisis. Further reading: Climate Justice: A Rule of Law Approach for Transformative Climate Action (IDLO, 2021) Loss and damage funding: offering solutions that work for the most vulnerable communities Led by Maroucha Veerman, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs looked into the challenge of finding effective ways to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and how funding for these purposes can be secured and made better. Taking the position that loss and damage are now inevitable parts of climate change, it was discussed how countries such as the Netherlands (with its expertise in water technology) can contribute to countries affected by water shortages such as Pakistan. It was put forward that more of these solutions need to be nature-based; for example building flood plains instead of raising dikes, and that finding ways to implement local ownership through owner/funder models is an essential way to make sure that projects are sustainable. Further reading: Inclusive Green Growth: The Pathway to Sustainable Development (World Bank, 2012) Connecting the Dots: Climate Change and Peacebuilding Led by Jessica Hartog, International Alert Human mobility, food scarcity, and water security were identified as major drivers of climate conflict. To address these issues, the group discussed various tactics, including adaptation and mitigation strategies, supporting local initiatives, and promoting good governance in the most climate-affected regions. The importance of seeking solutions that benefit communities and do not cause unintended harm was emphasized. Participants also recognized the need for increased awareness and action to prevent climate-related conflict. Effective climate action requires the involvement of all stakeholders and a collective effort to address the challenges faced by vulnerable communities Further reading: Turning Up the Heat: Addressing Climate-related Conflicts (International Alert, 2023)‘Costing the Earth’ Tackling Environmental Crime (Online) Led by Julian Newman, Environmental Investigation Agency The roundabout group explored the issue of environmental crimes and identified political will as a significant challenge to addressing the problem. The host, Julian Newman, highlighted the lack of enforcement and legal measures to curb environmental crimes, stressing that stronger enforcement could make a significant difference. It was also highlighted that environmental crimes are not just committed by private corporations but also by states. To effectively address environmental crimes, participants discussed the need for increased political will to acknowledge the seriousness of the issue and act. Stronger legal measures and enforcement could help to curb environmental crimes. Additionally, it is essential to raise awareness of the issue and encourage individuals to speak out against these crimes. The discussion highlighted the urgent need for action to address environmental crimes. Governments and individuals must acknowledge the severity of the issue and take steps to prevent and address environmental crimes. Further reading: ‘Two Sides of the Same Coin: Tackling transnational wildlife trafficking between West and Central Africa and South-East Asia (EIA,.2022) Using predictive models to anticipate climate protection needs in vulnerable populations Led by Maxym Malinowsky, Space 4 Good GIS Specialists Space 4 Good facilitated a roundabout on using the latest in modelling technologies to predict the impact of Climate Change, and mitigate its affects. Luckily for practitioners looking to use the technology, modelling natural phenomena is easier and more predictable — however challenges arise from training local political actors in using data within their planning — but having local actors on board really boosts the chances of the projects’ success. Ideally, the technology would be used to “value the cost of externalities and dictate policy, to create a positive feedback loop". The technology could also have potential uses in advocacy, as its output is visual, and reasonably easy to read with some training Further reading From Pixels to Preservation: Identifying Primary and Old-Growth Forests in the Western Balkans Using Remote Sensing (Space 4 Good, 2023) Roundabout with the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign AffairsCatalysts of Change: Protecting and Supporting Environmental Human Rights Defenders Led by Aicha Chaghouani & Evelynne Stins, Netherlands Helsinki Committee The National Human Rights Commission (NHC) emphasized the importance of supporting environmental human rights defenders by utilizing human rights laws. Colonialism and exploitation were identified as major sources of inequality and conflict in areas affected by climate change. Participants discussed ways to create civic spaces for activists and policy changes that can be made to increase the rights of environmental human rights defenders. However, it was noted that the current challenges are the shrinking of civic spaces and a lack of transparency by governments. The need to create a more supportive environment for environmental human rights defenders is crucial. To achieve this, governments must ensure the protection of activists and strive to create more transparency. The roundtable emphasized the importance of recognizing the intersection between human and environmental rights. To create meaningful change, it is necessary to support environmental human rights defenders by creating civic spaces for them and ensuring accountability through transparency. Further reading: Environmental Rule of Law: First Report (UNEP, 2019), Whats the connection between big finance, fossil fuels, and civil society? (Online) Led by Umme Hogue, Sunrise Project Umme Hoque, who leads the Sunrise Project's ‘Finance Action Organisers Network’ led a roundabout looking into how the global financial sector supports and perpetuates the climate crisis. “Following the money is the way to win” was presented as a good motto for looking into the links between finance and the fossil fuel industry, and ways to maximise impact by individuals were discussed including pressuring private creditors such as banks as a customer, or considering divesting from products that invest in fossil fuels. Tools such as the ‘Eerlijk Geldwijzer’ were mentioned as a way to inform yourself about what your money is used for. On a more global scale, participants agreed that including organisations such as the ‘Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative’ in discussions about decarbonising could lead to more effective outcomes. Further reading: How can we Reorient the Financial System Away from Fossil Fuels? We Spoke to Umme Multiple Roundabouts in Progress at The peace&justice café: Towards Climate EquityUsing Due Diligence to Pursue Corporate Climate Accountability Led by Virginie Rouas, Asser Institute This roundtable looked into the fast-emerging legal theory around using Human Rights Due Diligence legislation to litigate large companies for their role in climate change. Whilst Human Rights Due Diligence itself is an emerging area, there are laws in place across various countries that require companies to identify, prevent, track; and communicate what they are doing to ensure human-rights compliance in their supply chains. However, using these laws to help forward climate responsibility is a complicated matter, with questions of jurisdiction and where responsibility lies at the forefront. The successful prosecution of Shell in 2021, and current lawsuits against Total in France can inspire activists for the future, though, and laws currently being made in the EU, Netherlands, and Brazil could provide a legal framework in the future. Further reading: Interview with Virginie Rouas: ‘European companies are polluting the Global South without facing full legal consequences’ (Asser Institute, 2022) Youth Perspectives in the Time of the Climate Crisis Led by Tessa Dool, Jonge Klimaatbeweging In this roundabout, participants explored what youth participation leads in political processes around climate, with participants invited to consider what happens with the views of youth organisations once they have been consulted by (for example) politicians. This has led the Jonge Klimaatbeweging to consider if they are being used as a form of ‘youthwashing’, or as a token young people's organisation. In reality, participants agreed, young people should be encouraged to participate in political dialogue around climate as the effects of climate change will affect the young the most. The Jonge Klimaatbeweging is interested in systemic changes, and looking to the long-term, and this, participants agreed, might be a reason why they find that their recommendations often get missed out of policy when it arrives- despite their inclusion in the process. Further reading: De Jonge Klimaatagenda 3,0 Jonge Klimaatbeweging)Roundabout with The Hague Academy for Local Government Debrief with Hivos A group debrief was carried out in collaboration with Hugo Schiffers of Hivos. Throughout the conversation, multi-level action was encouraged on climate equity, as equity is a term that encompasses lots of different aspects and levels — referencing potential solutions highlighted by the roundabouts including more nature in cities (The Hague Academy for Local Governance) through to using international law to stop the largest polluters from continuing (Asser Institute, in-person). Host Connor Satterley also turned to Jessica Hartog (International Alert) to explain how different approaches are needed when looking at climate equity from a gender perspective. Hugo made the point of particularly highlighting the positive and long- lasting effects of grassroots initiatives and solutions that aim to include the people who are being affected climate change the most in achieving better outcomes and beginning to tread the path to climate equity. About the peace&justice café The peace&justice café is The Hague THE Humanity Hub’s premier networking event series for cross-sectoral connection and HAGUE collaboration for a more peaceful and just world This event brings —_ together aus peacebuilders, justice innovators, researchers, . humanitarians, impact entrepreneurs, policy humanityhub.net makers and other changemakers from The Hague and around the world Colofon: Editors: Thomas Ansell & Hannah Terry Rapporteurs: Zuzannah Byczuk, Elizabeth Bashor, Hadeel Abdulah Bin Shamlan, Téa Ducrocq, Elissa Glorie, Jari Global Shapers, Julia Boot, Malena Lépez Bremme, Katie Short, Max Ebdon, Adjar Waanders