Tens of thousands of global activists, diplomats, and heads of state have gathered at the annual “conference of the parties” held by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The 27th Convention on Climate Change (COP27), which was held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, saw the participation of world leaders, UN agencies, development partners, NGOs, and influencers, who all came together to take concrete steps toward achieving the global climate goals set forth in the Paris Agreement.
The backdrop for this year’s conference is an increasing energy crisis, rising inflation, and an ongoing conflict in Ukraine, all of which have an influence on important environmental matters.
Following its participation at COP26 in Glasgow last year, the Jadir Taekwondo Association (AJTKD) was invited to take part in the global conference for a second time. To help advance climate action, alongside several other NGOs, AJTKD participated in a range of online events, starting with the ILO, UNEP, and UNICEF/Generation Unlimited’s ambitious “Green Jobs for Youth Pact” launch.
As the legacy of Stockholm+50, the Pact is a bold partnership with the aim to increase commitments and accelerate action towards green job creation for young people as they face an uncertain future driven by the climate crisis.
Co-organized by the Pact partners and the European Commission, YOUNGO and LinkedIn, the event was hosted at the first ever Just Transition Pavilion at COP27 and focused on accelerating commitments to secure green jobs and green, employable skills in key countries and high-impact sectors.
Further ahead, AJTKD took part in the event “Race Against Climate Change”, which happened on November 10th, Youth and Future Generations Day at COP27.
On the Blue Zone main stage, the conference’s only sporting event was a panel discussion on motorsport’s unique ability to inspire mass transition to zero emission vehicles, moderated by UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action – the framework which supports sports organizations and their stakeholders to achieve global climate change goals – with speakers from the FIA, Formula E and Envision Racing.
“Race Against Climate Change: Accelerating the transition to zero emission mobility” featured an expert panel of leaders from the electric motorsport racing world, and provided an opportunity to learn about how the sector is accelerating the transition to zero emission mobility and renewable energy across the globe – leaving no one behind in the e-mobility revolution. Topics discussed included the innovation needed to make e-mobility a reality, how the transition to zero emission vehicles must be part of a Just Transition, and what more the sport can do to engage young people on environmental sustainability.
To conclude its participation at COP27, AJTKD took part in the World Climate Summit – The Investment COP, which happened on 13-14 November. The Summit convened the World Climate Foundation’s leading network of public and private sector stakeholders to enhance ambition and catalyze action for the net-zero transition.
The two days showcased impressive examples from climate leaders on how they are shaping their jurisdictions, communities, businesses and organizations to reduce emissions and foster climate resilience.
124 high-level speakers, 67 partners and 5500+ registered attendees from 100+ countries participated in the global event both in-person and digitally – making it the biggest World Climate Summit yet.
A large group of ambitious and solutions-centered leaders from across the world, including pioneering policy leaders as well as business leaders, provided real-world examples of how to drive the green transition not only until 2050 but take further and faster action by 2030.
AJTKD has always been an advocate for the environment through its previous initiatives, bringing attention to the climate crisis and involving students in activities to teach them about climate change through sport. This year’s active participation by AJTKD at COP27 marks both a remarkable progress and turning point in the organization’s fight against climate change.
EN 
PT