Asia-Pacific Climate Week 2023 (APCW 2023) Side Events

Date: 15 November 2023
Time: 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM, Malaysia local time (GMT+8)

The Asia-Pacific Climate Week 2023 provides a platform for policymakers, practitioners, businesses and civil society to exchange on climate solutions, barriers to overcome and opportunities realized in the Asia-Pacific region.

It is one of the four Regional Climate Weeks held this year to build momentum ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai and the conclusion of the first global stocktake, designed to chart the way for fulfilling the Paris Agreement's key goals.

Hosted by the Government of Malaysia in the city of Johor Bahru, APCW 2023 will take place from 13-17 November 2023.

On 15 November, we are organizing two side events.

Side event: Inclusive Pathways: Catalyzing the Just Energy Transition with Community-Centric Approaches
Organizers: UN Women, UNEP, UNFCCC Regional Collaboration Centre, Women Organizing for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management (WOCAN)
Track: Track 1: Energy systems and industry
Date: 15 November 2023
Time: 15:30 – 16:30 (GMT+8)
Venue: Pantai Lido 203, Persada Johor International Convention Centre

This moderated panel discussion session will highlight the significant role that decentralized renewable energy (DRE) can play in helping countries reach their goals under the Paris Agreement and in the context of just energy transition that empowers local communities, promotes sustainable development and ensures that women and other marginalized groups are not left behind.

Noting that access to finance and building the required skill sets for the rural and marginalized is challenging, this session will explore through case studies and key recommendations how to create an ecosystem around DRE (with policies, access to affordable finance and skill sets) to be considered as a mainstream pillar for the just energy transition, livelihood and job creation, and fostering gender equality and inclusivity. Speakers from various sectors will canvass how collaboration and investing in projects that prioritize social equity and inclusivity in the renewable energy sector does not only make good social sense but is also economically viable in the long run.

Side event: Securing Women’s Land Rights: A Cornerstone of Climate Change Solutions
Organizers: UN Women, UNEP, OHCHR
Track: Track 3: Land, ocean, food, and water
Date: 15 November 2023
Time: 17:00 – 18:00 (GMT+8)
Venue: Pantai Lido 203, Persada Johor International Convention Centre

Land provides the principal basis for human life and is an integral component of the climate system. However, climate change is adversely impacting land ecosystems and biodiversity, leading to widespread and rapid land degradation threatening rural livelihoods, food production, and water availability.

Climate justice and intergenerational equity have been at the forefront of social justice movements in the region, led by women and indigenous environmental defenders. Despite being the traditional custodians of land, women tend to have less access to resources, protection, decision-making, and leadership, affecting their ability to adapt to climate change impacts. The IPCC’s climate change and land report notes that policies addressing land rights and barriers to women’s participation in sustainable land management, including financial support, can be highly effective in combating climate change. This event will examine the challenges and opportunities to strengthen women’s land rights as a cornerstone in the realization of climate justice in Asia-Pacific.

This initiative is supported by the Governments of Germany and Sweden.

The Government of Sweden’s support is through the EmPower: Women for Climate-Resilient Societies Programme jointly implemented by UN Women and UNEP, as well as the Enhancing Women’s Access to Justice in Asia and the Pacific Project jointly implemented by UN Women and OHCHR.