LocationsPushing Boundaries Through Collective Climate Action: How can citizens drive systems change and catalyze climate action?
December 11, 2024
Event Details
02 December 2024
15:30 - 17:00 CET
Room XVII, Palais des Nations, Geneva
On December 2nd 2024, UNDP Geneva and its partners hosted a large-scale climate action event, Pushing Boundaries Through Collective Action: How can citizens drive systems change and catalyze climate action?
The event attracted 200 in-person attendees from 58 countries and 250,000 online viewers, highlighting the global interest in collective climate action. As part of a broader climate action series, the event underscored UNDP Geneva’s commitment to leveraging society’s collective capacity to advance the objectives of the Paris Agreement. By opening the dialogue to the public and drawing on the multidisciplinary expertise of International Geneva, the event aimed to equip participants with practical tools, motivate innovative thinking, and instill optimism in tackling the climate crisis.
Compelling insights and reflections from leaders and activists shaped the event. Agi Veres, UNDP Geneva Director, opened the programme by referencing the UNDP People’s Climate Vote, the world’s largest public opinion survey on climate change: “80% of people want their countries to strengthen commitments to address climate change.” Max Voegtli, Swiss climate activist, reflected on the impact of social movements: “Civil resistance is a pathway for citizens, not to be bystanders, but to actively affect change in themselves and their surroundings.” Elisabeth Stern inspired with her message on the power of hope: “Be bold, don’t give up on your dreams... Hope is what allows us to envision a future where our efforts make a difference.”
The event concluded with a powerful sense of optimism, setting the stage for continued action and looking towards the future of climate action. Building on this momentum, Kumi Naidoo, a renowned human rights and climate justice activist, shared a dedicated video address with UNDP Geneva after the event.
As Naidoo soberingly starts off, humanity faces a rapidly closing window of opportunity in addressing the climate crisis, and our current trajectory is “veering off the climate cliff.” However, in an optimistic spin, he asks the world to recognize that our window of opportunity still exists. Creativity in activism and participation can open this window and reverse our globe’s current trajectory.
Using “creativity,” Naidoo explains how we must redefine activism and find ways for people to utilize their different skills, inclinations, desires, and abilities, thus making participation joyful, energizing, and centered around community.
Emphasizing that people have power as agents of change, Naidoo outlines four pathways for individuals to follow towards climate justice. Beginning by pointing out the importance of individual autonomy, one’s inherent power as a citizen, voter, volunteer, etc. is necessary to become an agent of change. Next, creative participation, which refers to the power individuals possess as different knowledge holders must be considered, and we must acknowledge the role individuals could play as holders of ancient wisdom or makers of culture and art, for example. Naidoo also notes how individuals’ wealth must not be overlooked. Owners of capital assets or holders of insurance policies and other products must be recognized as individuals with power to leverage their wealth for change. Lastly, Naidoo brings attention to individuals’ consumption. Harnessing one’s power as, not only a consumer of goods and services but also, a consumer of information and disinformation will lay part of the groundwork for individual climate action.
As Naidoo echoes and expands on the key messages of our event, the underlying theme remains constant. Collective action is as important as ever in tackling the climate crisis. By fostering hope, encouraging creative engagement, and highlighting innovative solutions, this event demonstrated how citizens can drive systems change and catalyze meaningful climate action.
UNDP Geneva is preparing its next climate action event, focused on Just Transition, for the first quarter of 2025. More details will be announced soon.
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