On 20 November 2023, in the city of Praia, the extraordinary session of the Children’s and Youth Parliament took place in partnership with Climate Action, bringing together teenagers and young people from greater Santo Antão to little Brava.

As the extraordinary session of the Children’s Parliament was such a success, it served as inspiration for another success, so at the beginning of 2024, there was something new that we were all excited about: Climate Action was planning a Children’s Academy. On 21 July, all the participants gathered on the island of Santiago (except those from São Nicolau, due to the transport obstacle), heading to the island of Maio, where the “stage” would be set for the big show – the rich and entertaining works on climate action, depicting various themes, including: Cape Verde’s Climate Policies, the Current Context of Climate Change, among others.

While my colleagues were on their way back to my magnificent island, I longed to meet them again, my heart squeezed and pounded intensely, the coldness of nostalgia fled and the warmth of emotion embraced me. Arriving at the harbour for the big reunion, I breathed in the fresh air along with the sea breeze, so that I could calm my state of mind and welcome everyone with open arms… Said, felt and done.

The Children and Youth Academy for Climate Action was quite an experience, as it was an educational programme aimed at children and young people, giving them the opportunity to be protagonists in the design of a horrizon that the world is hoping for, with the aim of “waking up” everyone to the alarming situation and raising awareness about climate change.

The academy was very rich, we learnt a lot, so I’d like to highlight it:

Training in Climate Issues: Practical skills to face environmental challenges.

Training Agents: Preparing young people to become advocates for climate action.

Emissions Reduction: Implementing practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Resource Conservation: Promoting the efficient use of natural resources.

Raising Awareness: Increasing understanding of climate issues and the need for action.

Developing Solutions: Stimulating innovation in technologies and practices that help tackle climate change.

Adaptation and Resilience: Preparing to deal with the impacts of climate change and adapting to new conditions.

I imagine you’re curious to know how Cape Verde’s climate policies work

Cape Verde, as an archipelago located on the west coast of Africa, faces significant challenges related to climate change due to its island location and vulnerability to worrying climatic events. The country has developed a series of policies and strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

National Strategies and Plans:

• National Climate Change Adaptation Plan: the NAP aims to identify and implement measures to adapt the country to climate change. The Plan includes specific actions for vulnerable areas such as agriculture, water resources and coastal areas.
• Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development: PEDSII integrates climate and environmental issues into development policies, seeking to promote sustainable and inclusive growth.
• Nationally Determined Contribution: in the NDC, Cape Verde committed to climate targets under the Paris Agreement. The country’s NDC establishes objectives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing mitigation and adaptation actions.

Mitigation Policies

• Promoting Renewable Energies: Cape Verde has invested heavily in renewable energies, especially wind and solar power, to break its dependence on fossil fuels and reduce CO2 emissions.
• Protecting and Rehabilitating Ecosystems: preserving ecosystems, such as mangrove areas and forests, is a priority for capturing and storing carbon and protecting biodiversity.

Adaptation Policies

• Water Resource Management: Implementation of strategies to guarantee water supply, including the construction of rainwater harvesting and storage systems and the promotion of the sustainable use of water resources.
• Coastal Protection: Investment in infrastructure to protect coastal areas against erosion and the impacts of rising sea levels.
• Agriculture and Food Security: Developing climate-resilient agricultural practices and promoting food security to cope with climate variability and guarantee food production.

Policy Integration and Governance

• Institutions and Coordination: Cape Verde’s climate policy is coordinated by institutions such as the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development, which leads the country’s climate and environmental initiatives.
• Participation and Inclusion: The country seeks to involve stakeholders, including the private sector, NGOs and the local community, in the development and implementation of climate policies.

Financing and International Co-operation

• International Support: Cape Verde has accessed resources and technical assistance from international organisations, such as the Green Climate Fund and the World Bank, to finance climate projects and initiatives.
• Regional and International Partnerships: Participation in regional and international initiatives and agreements aimed at tackling climate change and promoting sustainable development.

Challenges and Opportunities

• Challenges: Cape Verde faces significant challenges, including limited financial and technical resources, vulnerability to natural disasters, and the need to strengthen institutional and technical capacity.
• Opportunities: The country has the opportunity to lead in the implementation of innovative renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions, take advantage of international co-operation and promote sustainable and resilient development.

Cape Verde continues to work to strengthen its climate policies and implement effective measures to address the challenges of climate change, while seeking opportunities to promote sustainable and resilient growth.

Current Climate Change Context

The current context of climate change is marked by a series of trends and events that highlight the urgency and complexity of the global climate crisis:

• Rising Temperatures: the average global temperature has been rising consistently. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, the average global temperature has already risen by around 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels, and warming continues to be a dominant trend.
• Heatwaves: rising temperatures have led to more frequent and intense heatwaves, affecting human health, agriculture and ecosystems.
• Increase in Extreme Weather Events: the world has experienced an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, cyclones, severe droughts, floods and forest fires.
• Disproportionate Impacts: these events disproportionately affect vulnerable communities and developing countries, exacerbating inequalities and creating significant challenges for adaptation and recovery.
• Melting Polar Ice Caps and Glaciers: the accelerated melting of polar ice caps in Antarctica and the Arctic, as well as glaciers in mountains, contributes to rising sea levels.Sea Level Rise: rising sea levels are threatening coastal areas and islands, leading to coastal erosion, flooding and habitat loss.
• Changes in Precipitation Patterns: there are significant changes in precipitation patterns, with some regions experiencing more severe droughts and others facing more intense flooding.
• Impacts on Agriculture: changes in climate patterns affect agricultural production, threatening food security and increasing the volatility of food prices.
• Loss of Biodiversity: climate change is contributing to the loss of biodiversity, with many habitats and species threatened. Global warming and changes in ecosystems could lead to mass extinctions.
• Destruction of Ecosystems: crucial ecosystems, such as coral reefs and tropical forests, are being severely affected, jeopardising their ecological functions and environmental services.

International and Political Response

• Paris Agreement: The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, remains the main global framework for climate action, with the aim of limiting the global temperature increase to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C.
• Ambitions and Commitments: Many countries are updating their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to reflect more ambitious targets, but the implementation and fulfilment of these pledges are still significant challenges.

Innovation and Solutions

• Clean Technologies: the development and adoption of renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency and nature-based solutions are advancing, offering ways to reduce emissions and mitigate the impact of climate change.
• Grassroots Movements and Activism: there is a growing global climate activism movement, with young people and communities pushing for more robust and just action to tackle the climate crisis.

Challenges and Opportunities

• Challenges: tackling climate change requires global coordination, significant funding and the implementation of effective policies. Economic and social inequalities can complicate the ability to respond and adapt.
• Opportunities: the climate crisis also offers opportunities for innovation, green growth and building resilient economies. The transition to a low-carbon economy can create jobs and stimulate sustainable development.

I, Maira Garcia, affirm that everything we have done has been a success and I hope to do more and more for my island, my country and for the world as climate change poses a scenario of growing and complex challenges, but also of potential for innovation and transformation. Immediate and effective action at all levels is essential to mitigate impacts and adapt, guaranteeing a sustainable future for generations to come.

Author

Maira Garcia,
Children and Youth Academy