Launch of COP29 People’s Pavilion: The Future of ACE
Event Description: As climate challenges intensify, the role of Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) in fostering innovative and inclusive solutions has never been more critical. From integrating local and Indigenous knowledge, fostering cultural diversity, to creating innovative partnerships that elevate community voices, panelists will discuss bold strategies to ensure ACE becomes a cornerstone of global climate resilience and justice. Join us to envision a future where climate empowerment is not only policy but practice, shaping a transformative path forward for all.
The Power of Collaboration and Connection
The event showcased the incredible power of partnerships. From the ACE Observatory to the E+C Pavilion, and support from organizations like VoLo Foundation,
Led by Climate Civics International, and in partnership with the ACE Observatory, HBCU Green Fund, Columbia University, GloCha, and powered by VoLo Foundation, the People’s Pavilion exemplifies how collaboration across sectors—policy, culture, finance, and grassroots initiatives—can create a transformative climate response. This event showcased the incredible power of connection, from UNFCCC, to the ACE Observatory and the Peoples’ Pavilion and Entertainment and Culture Pavilion.
Key themes included:
The mainstreaming of ACE across UNFCCC processes, ensuring that empowerment reaches all corners of the climate space.
The intersection of culture and participatory processes as a tool to foster community, inspire change, and deepen engagement.
The role of media and artists in normalizing sustainability and sparking widespread societal shifts.
Culture: The Heartbeat of Climate Action
Samuel, representing the Entertainment + Culture Pavilion, spoke to the profound intersection of culture and climate action, emphasizing how arts, entertainment, and cultural practices are transformative tools for educating and mobilizing people. By fostering eco-conscious behaviors and connecting communities worldwide, culture ensures that Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) isn’t siloed but instead becomes integrated across UNFCCC initiatives. Samuel also highlighted the pivotal role of partnerships, including with the UN's Entertainment and Culture for Climate Action (ECCA) alliance, in amplifying cultural influence on policy and action.
Isatis M. Cintron from the ACE Observatory expanded on this theme, underscoring how culture not only educates the mind but also reaches the heart. Sharing the example of Puerto Rico’s Citizens Assemblies, she illustrated how cultural traditions, like the traditional dances of bomba and plena, foster community bonding and enhance participatory processes. Isatis further noted how media and mainstream artists can spark change by normalizing sustainable behaviors and making climate action an accessible and shared aspiration.
Local Insights: The Genius of Civics
The People’s Pavilion reinforced the importance of civics as the foundation of effective climate action. Local knowledge and lived experiences are essential for creating policies that are rooted, relevant, and replicable. Without these insights, climate strategies risk being disconnected from the realities of those most affected.
The Pavilion created spaces for thematic discussions and real-time updates from COP29, amplifying the voices of frontline communities and connecting them with global decision-makers. This year’s focus on civic engagement highlighted the potential of local and national processes to maximize future well-being, capability, and opportunity.
Climate Justice Delegation
The Climate Justice Delegation, organized by the ACE Observatory, will play a pivotal role in elevating frontline voices at COP29. Comprised of leaders from underrepresented and climate-impacted communities, the delegation embodied the essence of equitable climate action by advocating for those most affected by the crisis. Delegates were equipped with civic diplomacy training, enabling them to engage meaningfully in negotiations and amplify their communities’ demands. By participating in the People’s Pavilion and connecting directly with policymakers, the Climate Justice Delegation ensured that grassroots perspectives were integrated into global climate strategies. Their presence underscored the importance of inclusive representation in shaping a just and resilient future for all.
Join the Conversation
The People’s Pavilion is more than a virtual platform; it’s a movement to expand the civic space. It embodies the belief that culture and civics are inseparable from climate action and that inclusive processes are essential to tackling the climate crisis. The People’s Pavilion remains open for you to join this global conversation. Visit PeoplesPavilion.net to continue engaging, sharing insights, and shaping the future of climate action. Together, we can create a resilient, inclusive, and vibrant future for our planet.
