Green Climate Walk

2021 AEJ Assembly

A call for UNFCCC COP 26 in Scotland to deliver US$100 billion 4 climate action - end climate-induced poverty

Brief / Background

World leaders, policymakers, investors, researchers, farmers, NGO/ CSO leaders, will be meeting in Glasgow, UK to once again discuss the deepening global climate change crisis. Expectations are high especially to see how countries will abandon mere rhetoric and seriously commit to limiting global warming to 1.5C in line with the Paris Agreement (PA) developed six years ago. Significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and attaining net zero emissions by 2050 requires genuine commitment, increased collaboration and huge sense of urgency. In the same spirit, to reverse the ‘red code’ for humanity (IPCC report 2021) to green code, everyone sitting on the negotiation table must take it personally and avoid turning COP2 26 into another ‘’photo op or talking shop’’ as already highlighted by COP 26 president Mr Sharma.

Malawi’s participation at the climate change conference of parties in Glasgow UK is critical and timely. The country continues to face multiple climate risks which have been exacerbated by Covid 19 pandemic. This has serious implications over the country’s efforts to reduce poverty owing to the slow recovery of the most affected vulnerable populations. Therefore, COP 26 provides a rare opportunity for amplifying Malawi’s voices in demanding climate justice and get the attention the country deserves to be supported in carrying out sustainable resilience building programs. Malawi's delegation to COP 26 will be led by President Dr Lazarus Chakwera. The president’s participation at this year’s COP does not only increase Malawi’s chances of being heard on the negotiation table but also accords the president a chance to commit to a more renewed sense of leadership, responsibility, awareness and action on climate change issues. The Malawian government has developed several instruments that can help accelerate climate action including the MW2063 vision. The country also successfully revised and submitted the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to the UNFCCC and has developed a position paper that clearly outlines the country's priorities at COP 26.

The (Climate March) green walk, therefore, has been organized to amplify Malawi climate voices especially by calling on world leaders to deliver on their commitments including the US$ 100 billion for adaptation and mitigation. The march takes place as one of the key build-up activities for the 2021 Annual Assembly for the Association of Environmental Journalists in Malawi. Designed to act as a platform for advocating a range of environmental issues, the walk will be happening for the third time since it was launched in 2017.

In addition to the green walk, a panel discussion has been organized to discuss the nexus between poverty and the deepening climate crisis in line with the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty which falls on 17th October every year. The panel discussion will be hosted by ZBS/ MBC TV in the evening. (6:30 pm – 7:30 pm)

Date : Friday 22nd October 2021

Route : Lilongwe Community Centre Ground to Game/ Shoprite/ Game Car Park

Organizers: Association of Environmental Journalists – AEJ and Interested Partners

Expected participants: 200

Objectives:

 To raise awareness about the upcoming COP 26 and Malawi’s position paper

 Appeal to world leaders to ensure COP 26 delivers money for adaptation programs

 Provide a platform for young people to advocate for climate justice

 To awareness about AEJ’s annual assembly in November – 25th through 27th November, 2021

Participating organisations /Institutions

 Environmental Affairs Department

 Concern World Wide

 Civil Society Network on Climate Change

 Modern Cooking for Health Forests

 Lilongwe Wildlife Trust

 Likuni Boys Secondary School

 Bwaila Girls Secondary School

 Mlodza Secodary School

 Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources – Bunda Environmental Club

 Movement for Environmental Action

 Modern Cooking for Healthy Forests (a project co-funded by USAID and UKaid)

About AEJ

The Association of Environmental Journalists in Malawi – AEJ is a legally existing media membership-driven organisation founded in April 2012. AEJ’s core mandate is to thrive environmental journalism in Malawi. It seeks to improve coverage of environmental issues through improved quality, frequency, credibility, and creativity. AEJ believes that communicating science-related topics to people of all manner demands a deep sense of discipline, careful analysis of issues, skill, clarity, and proven relevance to the final consumers of the information. AEJ strives to become a hub of robust, credible, trustworthy environmental and science journalism in Malawi which caters for the present and future societal environmental and common needs. AEJ is also instrumental in advancing evidence-based environmental advocacy that empowers people to be more aware of their environmental human rights and be empowered to demand environmental justice.

Proposed Agenda – 2021 Green Awareness Walk – 2021 AEJ Congress