UN climate chief backs initiative to promote low carbon growth

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) created Momentum for Change in 2011 and the initiative is shining a light on the groundswell of activities underway across the globe that are moving the world toward a highly-resilient, low-carbon future.

Momentum for Change looks for innovative and transformative solutions that address both climate change and wider economic, social and environmental challenges.

A series of 'Lighthouse Activities' are adopted annually that incorporate the most practical, scalable and replicable examples of what people around the world are doing to tackle climate change.

Lighthouse Activity recipients include a bamboo bike company in Ghana and low-carbon housing initiatives in Mexico and they receive funding to meet with leaders at each year's climate negotiations, an increased profile through PR and visibility on the UNFCCC's website and other published materials.

The high visibility of the annual UN climate change negotiations creates a prominent platform on which the Lighthouse Activities are showcased and publicised – resulting in spin-off benefits that help the activities expand even further.

2013 Lighthouse Activity winner Bernice Dapaah, whose organisation builds bamboo bicycles in Ghana, was recently named a 2014 Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. Demand for her bamboo bicycles has spiked so dramatically she can barely keep up with orders pouring in from across the globe.

The 2014 Lighthouse Activities will recognize climate action in four key areas: action by and for the urban poor; action that fosters women’s leadership and empowerment; action that is financing climate friendly investment; and action that uses ICT solutions. 

UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres said: “This year, we are looking to do things a little differently. We will still shine a light on small, entrepreneurial solutions that are changing communities, as well as large initiatives that are transforming cities, businesses and governments. But we’re also looking to highlight initiatives with a bigger impact than ever before. Effectively addressing climate change requires action from all levels of society and from every sector, with efforts that are both small and large.”

The 2014 Lighthouse Activities will be selected by an 18-member, international advisory panel as part of the secretariat’s Momentum for Change initiative and winning activities will be announced in November.