Pico Analytics Fortnightly Newsletter: Our World Pre-COP27
Change. There is nothing more intrinsic to the existence of humanity and to the planet we live on as change. Yet, such a short word conveys not only that strange and unsettling mixture of emotions one feels when hearing it but is also used to translate into language the way time interacts with human society and the natural world. Today, we face change on an unprecedented scale but this change is not one we can afford to be fearful of nor can we afford ourselves the time to become accustomed to such rapid changes. Instead, we must be bold, we must take action and we must embrace changes in every facet of our lives from the food on our plates to the way that we travel to the items we pick off the shelves. In governance and policy the changes will need to be yet more extensive with restructuring required at every level and in every sector to ensure that our planet has a future. Sometimes these changes can be made with all the pomp and circumstance of events such as Cop26 but more frequently they are made in private boardrooms accompanied by lengthy negotiations and constant compromising. For many the latter will define the events taking place during the upcoming Cop27 summit with the emphasis likely being on the logistics of making and in some cases forcing change across the globe. With developing countries determined to see the previously unyielding set of wealthy nations finally agree to a climate finance fund, their possible success in achieving this goal could mark a shift not only in global political dynamics but also in the need for climate justice and global equality.
Climate change is not an insurmountable threat, but it is a challenge, one that takes immense energy, expertise and commitment to overcome. Moving forward there will not be one person on earth who remains unaffected by it or who will be able go on ignoring its presence. Like a sword of Damocles it hangs over our heads threatening sudden and unexpected devastation for communities around the world, whether that be from floods, heatwaves, storms, typhoons, famines or pandemics, swift action is our only option. We must face climate change as a global nation, one where we see each persons individual characteristics as a strength and one where we reject the divisions of old that continue to ensure our ability to work together effectively to produce the best outcome for all. This edition hopes to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of our global union prior to Cop27 whilst providing an insight into the actions of those committed groups and individuals who are determined to ensure a sustainable future for all. From the intersections between social justice, people of colour and the climate debate to the shocking decline of animal populations this edition as always aims to educate, inform, and promote a more sustainable lifestyle whilst turning your attention to those projects and laws which aim to enforce sustainability at the highest level. We here at Pico Analytics know that it can be disheartening and at times frustrating to read through the various articles and reports concerning climate change, sustainable development and ESG's but it is important to understand exactly what is happening in our world and how our needs and requirements are being met. In our Sustainability Spotlight we will be taking a look at a the Black Ecofeminist Summit which took place this month in London which is helping to create a space for black women environmentalists to be heard and to make their invaluable contribution to the environmental movement whilst our usual Business Insider video has been replaced by a look back at the three key speeches made at Cop26 which continue to resonate to this day.
Our newsletter, as usual, will provide a short summary of some of the most notable, informative, and quirky climate stories of the past two weeks in the hope that it provides inspiration and insight into climate news from around the world. Finally, we want to hear from you, our readers, about any topics that interest you, which we can either produce research papers on or include as stories in future newsletters.
OUR
TOP STORIES
A Note From Our COO & CFO on the Upcoming Cop27 Summit
by Emily Robinson 27th October 2022
With just days to go until COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, there is a distinctly different tone about this year’s UN Climate Conference. For one, it is sponsored by the world’s largest plastic polluter – Coca Cola. Secondly, the government of Egypt has taken the decision to shut down any event spaces not involving heads of state in the first two days of the conference: leaving out the many NGOs, observers, organisations, and participants from taking part. Organisations have also raised concerns that Egyptians will not be able to peacefully protest or take part in climate marches, and there have been complaints that this year is not as inclusive as previous years.
Add to this that most nations are currently failing on their climate pledges (only 26 out of 193 have taken any significant action on ramping up their climate targets, according to the recently released UN report), and we are right to be worried about hitting a 2℃ goal, let alone 1.5℃.
While I’m not hopeful that any groundbreaking decisions or actions will be taken in Egypt this November, I am hopeful that the top polluting nations will at least reaffirm their targets and take more urgent action to meet their 2030 goals. US Climate Envoy John Kerry called on leading economies to do more to limit their emissions. “We all know the top 20 economies are responsible for 80 percent of emissions…We must do more. It’s what we agreed to do.” And lukewarm as it was, the European Parliament called for greater EU ambition to be discussed in Sharm El-Sheikh, including a "loss and damage" financing facility. It’s worth noting that this is a non-binding resolution which calls for increased EU climate targets with concrete binding measures and a treaty on "non-proliferation" of fossil fuels.
It is expected that the topic of the wealthy nations with the highest emissions compensating lower-income nations with no significant contribution to climate change will appear on the official agenda – though no immediate agreement is expected. This is still a step, albeit a slow one, in the right direction.
So, here’s to hoping common sense will prevail, as Kerry states in his speech to the Council on Foreign Relations on Tuesday, “there is no mystery about what we must do. The real mystery is why it remains a fight just to do what common sense and science tell us we must do. We have a roadmap. We just need to follow it. We have to hold ourselves accountable, and everyone else everywhere. And the question is not whether there is a solution. It’s how to implement the solution that is staring us in the face. We know the future if we do that is cleaner, greener, healthier, and safer—if we can get there together, in time. We can if we choose to.”
Climate Action & SDG's; Down But Not Out
by Patrick Temple-West & Gillian Tett 14th October 2022
In the run up to Cop27 New York and Washington DC have been buzzing as political leaders, policy makers, scientists, NGOS and environmental/climate activists have descended to discuss climate finance in the wake of the burgeoning financial and energy crisis as well as the future of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's). The week of discussions at the IMF and the World Bank have been somewhat overshadowed by the intense and varying crises caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing global inflation and threat of recession. G7 leaders have worked hard to keep discussions on track and to intensify efforts to meet climate goals and accelerate the transition to sustainable energy whilst strengthening energy security.
So how are they keeping up the momentum…?
IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva announced the start of a new $20bn financing mechanism called the Resilience and Sustainability Trust. This will fund long-term projects for climate change and pandemic preparedness.
Mark Carney, the Brookfield Asset Management vice-chair and former Bank of England governor, defended the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero as “an imperfect substitute for mandatory approach” from governments”. Carney has defended Gfanz as its open data project to pool emissions reports from data providers to give the public more information about corporate carbon emissions.
With widespread concerns over greenwashing and double counting related to carbon offsetting. Isda and other organisations are developing a legal foundation for these carbon credits.
Three key areas of the climate struggle dominated discussions: multibillion-dollar programmes such as the IMF’s new trust; financial sector disclosures to shed more light on what’s driving emissions; and the need to get effective standards in place for new tools like carbon offsets.
Meanwhile, the often touted but historically vague Sustainable Development Goals have turned a rather sharp corner as representatives show clear concern over those issues which face the SDG programme. The latest GISD report highlights the issues surrounding Covid-19 as the pandemic pushed 93mn more people worldwide into extreme poverty during 2020 thereby erasing the progress made in alleviating poverty. This has led to further difficulties as soaring energy and food prices, rising interest rates and recession risk have exacerbated these setbacks. Whilst big asset managers are insistent that retail investors are still interested in backing SDG causes if they can be offered transparent and easy ways to do so, environmental issues remain at the top of everyone's list of interests. The discussions in DC saw numerous proposals: issue SDG bonds; ask multilateral development banks to share data with fund managers so they can assess risks; use MDBs such as the World Bank to “wrap” investments to tempt in risk-averse private capital etc. Unfortunately, the pace of change is achingly slow as institutions such as the World Bank fail to embrace creative blended finance structures. Unsurprisingly, every leader and representative calls for change yet those who are willing to act upon it are few and far between.
The Intersections Between Social Justice, People of Color and the Climate Debate
By the Julian Agyeman 6th October 2022
In a Guardian opinion piece the racial inequalities in the UK are put under the microscope as Julian Agyeman discusses his experiences working as an environmental policy adviser alongside some of London's lower-income residents. The most significant takeaway of his time have been the obvious inequalities faced by the poorest residents of urban Britain, many of whom were Black and Brown, who were/are living in the most deprived areas in terms of proximity to large polluting roads, whilst also facing poor or unaffordable housing stock, social exclusion, lack of educational and economic opportunity, disinvestment and lack of green and play spaces. Such issues have been exacerbated as they were actively ignored by (white) environmental activists who chose to focus on biodiversity, conservation and climate change (not climate justice). Though all are key areas in the fight against climate change it also reinforced the exclusivity of white environmental activist agendas and formed a less than welcoming space for activists of color.
Over the course of the late 1980's and 90's, in response to the exclusion, a group of activists of colour came together and formed the Black Environment Network (BEN) to increase activism, reframe environmental and sustainability agendas and get more people of colour into environmental jobs. As various reports such as Toxic Wastes and Race in the United States and Pollution Injustice: The Geographic Relation Between Household Income and Polluting Factories gained traction the fight to have such inequalities recognised finally seemed possible and led to the beginnings of a British environmental justice agenda. The deep rupture between environmental activism on the one hand and the need for an equity framing on the other was widespread among activists and policymakers. This rupture kept people of colour out of both the environmental movement and environmental jobs, but it also kept the “green” agenda away from tackling “social” issues such as poverty, racism, equity and justice. In recent years the links between social justice, human rights, racism, equity and quality of life were further recognised as it became more evident that the poorest are bearing the brunt of environmental “bads”, and in the case of climate “bads”, they are the least responsible for carbon production. Julain Agyeman finished the piece by acknowledging that we have come a long way in our discourse on climate justice and racism, however, there is still a long road ahead that will place demands on rich countries to pay reparations for "loss and damage" due to global heating and climate-related disasters.
Women in the Financial Sector Take Center Stage in Climate Policy
by Cara Wilson 12th October 2022
As climate change sweeps across the globe rising sea levels, wildfires and heat waves are affecting everyone, but not equally. Socioeconomic background, geographical location, age and gender all have a bearing on the level of vulnerability of a person to climate change. Among the world's poorest and most disenfranchised "women are excluded from decision-making, held back by unequal power structures and prevented from owning land and gaining access to resources and financing. They also carry a heavier share of responsibility for their family’s food and water security". Women remain on the front lines of climate change and are often disproportionately affected meaning they possess unique perspectives and experiences which could inform future solutions when women are placed in leadership roles. This is not to say that women make inherently better leaders during the climate crisis but they do provide a different kind of leadership influenced by their experiences of global challenges which can enhance policy decisions. Yet, three quarters of parliamentary positions are held by men and Cop26 saw only 37% of female representatives among party delegates, dropping to 26% when it came to heads and deputy heads of delegations.
The financial sector paints a similar picture of gender inequality with the notable exception of sustainable finance and ESG decision making where women are relatively well represented and can often be found in leadership positions. In what was once a niche area sustainable finance has shot to the forefront as financial systems fundamentally shift. With the GFANZ alliance in possession of $130tn in financial assets the road is clear for female sustainable finance specialists to influence strategy from the heart of the organisation. The equal representation of women across all levels of leadership in government, business and international policy making "would dramatically enhance and accelerate humanity’s ability to adapt to and mitigate the worst effects of the climate crisis". To have an equal representation of men and women at the top of policy making institutions will provide a true representation of the populations they serve thereby providing better outcomes for people and the planet.
Swimming for the Coral Reefs and Oceans
by Maddie Molloy 17th October 2022
In the run up to Cop27 environmentalists and activists have been busy spreading the climate message and fighting to attain some semblance of recognition and support from the powers that be. Lewis Pugh, endurance swimmer turned UN Patron of the Oceans, has joined the fight as he attempts what is thought to be the first swim across the Red Sea in an attempt to highlight the vulnerability of coral reefs and oceans. His plans include a 160km (100 mile) swim taking place over the course of two weeks. This particular challenge will be intense with warm sea temperatures, very salty water and extensive sun exposure as he tackles 10km (6 miles) of swimming every day taking him from Saudi Arabia to Hurghada, Egypt. Mr Pugh has described the corals he will be swimming over as "magnificent" though they are suffering like coral reefs across the globe who could see a 90% reduction if warming increases by 1.5°. Mr Pugh has called on governments to reduce emissions by 30% to help protect the world's oceans as part of his swimming mission. As part of his efforts he made the decision to invite local endurance swimmers to take part starting with Dr Mariam Saleh Bin Laden, a Saudi endurance swimmer, who has pioneered the sport in the region and is also a passionate humanitarian. At the end of his swim Mr Pugh will attend Cop27.
UK Set to Miss Net Zero Target Without Significant Shift in Lifestyle by General Public
by Camilla Hodgson 12th October 2022
The UK will miss its target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 in the absence of widespread changes to how people eat, travel and live, an influential parliamentary group has said.
The House of Lords environment and climate change committee has warned that the government's net zero plan is reliant on undeveloped technologies and that it fails to push behavioural changes in the UK public. Peers have called on ministers to help the general public make changes such as taking fewer flights, choosing environmentally friendly products and eating less meat. Making greener choices also needs to be affordable as well as offering sustainable products at competitive rates. All of this comes as the UK public calls out for leadership and guidance from the government on how they can personally tackle climate change and environmental damage which has been notably lacking in the failed Truss government.
Official reports have repeatedly cautioned that the UK strategy for meeting the legally binding net-zero target lacks detail and doesn't do enough to encourage people to make sustainable choices. Though ministers have pushed back saying that they do not want to control people's personal decisions the committee has rejected this approach as "32% of emissions reductions up to 2035 relies on decisions by individuals and households". The climate change committee report has suggested dates for banning the use of high emissions technologies where suitable alternatives exist, launching a call for evidence on introducing a frequent flyer levy on long-haul flights and finding clear definitions for terms a business can use to market 'sustainable' products. Without numerous changes being made it will be impossible for the UK to reach net zero by 2050 therefore the government must take a leading role in reshaping the environment in which the public acts.
For the time being it seems that the government is resisting responsibility for the climate crisis as public information campaigns to encourage households to reduce energy usage were considered too expensive whilst the cost of living crisis has led to a push back on imposing a tax on carbon-intensive foods. Environment secretary George Eustice has spoken out over the government's lack of intentions to message the public about a reduction in meat consumption and this appears to be indicative of the government's overall approach to tackling climate change on a public level. Though the government feigns its continued commitment to the legally binding target of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 its glacial pace of making changes will continue to worry environmentalists and climate activists.
Africa Looks to Lead in Clean Energy Transition
by William Ruto 4th October 2022
Leaders of African nations are acutely aware of how climate change will impact everything from public health to jobs to food security to national security. Climate change across Africa is all encompassing as droughts affect provisions of water, cripples food production, destroys homes, infrastructure, lives and livelihoods. If this were not enough extreme temperatures drive migration and exacerbate conflicts as hundreds of thousands flee to seek alternative livelihoods for survival. The response to these various crises has cut through every sector of life in Africa i.e. transport, sustainable jobs, tackling air pollution, food and water security and in particular how people source energy.
Today millions of people in the horn of Africa are on the brink of famine due to a devastating drought and the global response must be swift in order to reduce any further warming around the globe. Meanwhile, those people across Africa who are least responsible for climate change will suffer the worst of its impacts. Yet, hope remains that Africa could become a leader in renewable energy as its abundance of wind and solar energy could power new development in the region proving once and for all that we do not need to destroy the climate to prosper. Kenya is a prime example of the benefits which can come from leapfrogging past dirty fossil fuels as its electricity supply is already 92% renewable with 74% of overall energy use powered by clean energy. They have also reaffirmed commitments to reach 100% clean energy by 2030. With more jobs globally in clean energy than in fossil fuels the decarbonisation of countries can lead to more jobs, stronger local economies and most importantly could accelerate the sustainable industrialisation of Africa.
During Cop27 African leaders are looking not only to produce a successful Africa based climate summit but also to demand delivery of the finance and technology needed by Africa to adapt to climate impacts, support those in need, and manage the energy transition. In receipt of this it will be possible to deliver energy access to almost half of Africa's people who remain underserved by dirty energy systems. As the continued energy crisis related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to underline the need to move away from fossil fuels the transition to clean energy could not be more urgent. Africa can lead the way for all of us in using renewable energy to ensure fairer and cheaper energy, protecting communities and the generations to come and protecting the natural world on which we all rely.
Will Climate Activists be Able to Protest at Egypt's COP27?
by Peter Schwartzstein 10th October 2022
The right to protest and have one's voice be heard should be a fundamental right and yet for many around the world it remains out of reach and in some cases banned with a threat of violence against those who continue to protest. Egypt has had a patchy history with activism and has all but banned protest and cracked down on independent civil society action which has left many wondering how international and local NGOs will be able to participate in and influence the COP27 proceedings. Though senior Egyptian officials have promised that protests will be permitted, environmentalists are not convinced by official assurances as they worry for the safety of activists from the global south. Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has pledged that there will be "a facility adjacent to the conference center that will provide [activists] the full opportunity of participation, of activism, of demonstration, of voicing that opinion” but the extent of such actions that will be permitted is vague and understandably leaves activists confused and concerned about the safety of protests.
It may be impossible for such unsanctioned demonstrations to go ahead at all as activists struggle to secure visas and sufficient funding with exorbitant costs for hotels and travel making the proceedings less accessible. Whilst it remains difficult to enter Egypt those environmentalists who already reside in the country face severe restrictions on funding, NGO registration and research permits. "Many anticipate a serious backlash were they to do anything that authorities perceive as embarrassing while the eyes of the world are upon them". Such skepticism is understandable as Egyptian environmentalists say that state authorities are training state-affiliated NGOs to protest about "safe" subjects in an attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of international attendees. This is made yet more frustrating as the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms (ECRF) has been denied cop accreditation and civil society activists continue to languish in prison because of their work making many question why Egypt has been awarded the world’s marquee climate event when it continues to allow and perpetuate enduring injustice. Though it is of the utmost importance that climate conferences such as Cop27 are held both in the global north and south, restrictive political regimes cannot be allowed to hinder the global efforts to tackle climate change. There are hopes that despite the difficulties holding such events in North Africa and the Middle East will help to make change, however, this will remain to be seen as Cop28 is set to be held in Dubai.
International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Pledges Support for "Aspirational" Net Zero Goal
by Rowenna Hoskin & Matt McGrath 7th October 2022
At a meeting in Montreal the ICAO agreed on a long-term plan to curb emissions from flying with a goal of net-zero by 2050. The plan, agreed upon by the 193 member states of the ICAO, is in the eyes of many green groups a weak compromise which is not legally binding. In light of the aviation industry's 2.5% contribution to global carbon emissions and its possibly much higher impacts on climate change, the US Special Presidential envoy expressed his joy at seeing the global aviation community commit to a sustainable future with long-term goals.
The aviation industry has been under significant pressure over the past seven years to decarbonise air travel making an agreement including both China and Russia quite the achievement even if its rules cannot be imposed upon member countries. After the UK included aviation emissions in their 2021 climate targets post Cop26 they have been on the path to net-zero and have been working to bring others onboard as well. Yet, environmentalists are not convinced by the agreement and do not believe it will solve aviation's problems. The only effective way to do so is to stop burning kerosene by effectively pricing kerosene and investing in alternative solutions. The choice to turn to Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) which includes using forestry plantations to cancel out carbon emissions has also brought criticism as the baseline for offsetting emissions "has now been set as 85% of 2019 carbon emissions, allowing a higher level of carbon dioxide pollution before airlines must purchase offsets". Analysis has shown that the Montreal scheme will only cover 22% of future emissions in 2030. However, supporters believe that once there is a target, even if it's non-binding, aviation companies will not just look to offsetting but will also speed up the development of greener jet fuels and make other technical improvements to decarbonise flying.
'Loss and Damage' The Words on Everybody's Lips
by Camilla Hodgson 10th October 2022
As Cop27 comes barreling towards us, world leaders are preparing for the upcoming battle for climate finance from rich countries that could provide developing nations with support to help them cope with the devastating consequences of climate change. All eyes will be fixed up on those rich countries who have been reluctant to accept financial responsibility for climate change which is caused by their industrial activity. It appears the sands of time are rapidly running out as low lying states such as those in the Pacific Islands and Indian Ocean step up their demands for an international loss and damage finance facility at November's Cop27 UN summit.
In the view of UN secretary-general, António Gutterres, wealthy countries bear a moral responsibility to help developing countries recover, adapt and build resilience to disasters as 80% of emissions today can be attributed to the G20. In light of the devastating floods in Pakistan, think-tanks are waiting to see how the attendants of the UN summit will address growing climate impacts. A failure to do so could jeopardise the legitimacy of UN processes and possibly form cracks across the globe. As this event will be of a more procedural persuasion that its Glasgow predecessor the Egyptian presidency is focused on tackling the promises made during the 2015 Paris accord such as efforts to reduce emissions, adapt to climate change and provide money to the most vulnerable countries. “The number one priority is implementation,” says Wael Aboulmagd, Egypt’s COP27 ambassador. “Everyone has to be part of the conversation". Yet, it appears not everyone has got with the programme as numerous countries fail to update their emissions reduction plans despite pledging to do so during Cop26 meaning in their current state a total global warming of 2.3° which is well above the 1.5° target is to be expected.
Empty promises of climate finance saw the promised $100bn a year support of developing nations fall short at $83.3bn with signatories still needing to agree on a new target for climate-related financial aid to be delivered from 2025. With plans for China and 77 other countries to propose that loss and damage financing be included as a key topic for discussion on the Cop27 agenda any further rejection of such a facility would likely be an unwise move on the part of wealthy nations. Though the 190 parties of the Paris Agreement would need to unanimously approve any moves towards climate finance Egypt is making a concerted effort to push for change in this area by appointing ministers from Chile and Germany to coordinate discussions on the subject during Cop27. Conrod Hunte, deputy chair and leading climate negotiator for the Alliance of Small Island Developing States has stated explicitly that any agreement concerning loss and damage will require a financial element, however, John Kerry has pushed back against climate finance with a different focus on supporting so-called mitigation projects and the EU is also expected to resist the idea of creating a fund at Cop27. Squeezing a climate finance agreement out of the wealthier nations of the world will be something of a challenge as many struggle to cope with the rise in energy and food prices, the wider inflation crisis and fractured international relations. Though there is no denying the transformative effect of a loss and damage fund, all eyes will be on developing nations and their leaders to find out if it can be achieved in the short Cop27 window.
Animal Populations Declines by an Average of 69% in Just Under 50 Years
by Patrick Greenfield 13th October 2022
In what was arguably one of the most shocking news stories to hit the headlines this month the WWF and the Zoological Society of London's biennial Living Planet Report shared their findings on the heartbreaking plunge in wildlife populations. With an average decrease of 69% in just under 50 years, ecosystems are struggling under the immense pressure of humans' continued overconsumption and pollution on an industrial scale. "From the open ocean to tropical rainforests, the abundance of birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles is in freefall, declining on average by more than two-thirds between 1970 and 2018". Many scientists believe that we are living through a sixth mass extinction event which for the first time in history is being driven by humans. In light of this the 89 authors of the report are urging world leaders to reach an ambitious agreement at the Cop15 biodiversity summit in Canada this December and to slash carbon emissions not only to protect the 1.5° target but also to safeguard the rampant destruction of the natural world.
Latin America and the Caribbean, in particular the Amazon, saw the steepest decline with a 94% drop in 48 years. Deforestation, the most significant challenge facing the Amazonian region, is not only stripping a unique ecosystem of its trees and the animals which depend on them but is presenting a gargantuan challenge to humanity's fight against climate change. "Africa had the second largest fall at 66%, followed by Asia and the Pacific with 55% and North America at 20%. Europe and Central Asia experienced an 18% fall. The total loss is akin to the human population of Europe, the Americas, Africa, Oceania and China disappearing, according to the report". Yet, despite the planet turning to dust before our very eyes, world leaders continue to sit back, rest on their laurels and watch their grandchildren's futures dissipate into the wind.
The research has underscored all the difficulties faced by animals, particularly those who are trying to move through the terrestrial landscapes which are blocked up by infrastructure and farmland with only 10% of the world's protected areas on land being connected. In response to the overwhelming destruction of the natural world the IUCN is developing a standard to measure the conservation potential of an animal which will help researchers to create a roadmap to ensure the recovery of millions of threatened species. Meanwhile, a change in methods of production and consumption will be necessary on the part of the general population as well as on the industrial sector.
Looking Back to Cop26
by Kate Martin 21st October 2022
In place of our usual Business Insider video we decided to instead look back at three key speeches made at Cop26 which resonated with ourselves and those in attendance. We hope these speeches will remind our readers of the aims set forth during the summit and why such events are so important in helping us to tackle climate change at an international level.
Pico Analytics Sustainability Spotlight!
by Kate Martin 21st October 2022
This section of our Newsletter is where we here at Pico Analytics shine a spotlight on one of those businesses, initiatives, positive news stories or people that are paving the way for sustainability and a more eco-friendly future. In this edition we wanted to switch things up a little as we take a look at the first Black Ecofeminist Summit which took place in London on the 2nd of October. In this unique half day programme the intersections of black feminism and climate justice were amplified as black ecofeminists shared a space to learn and find joy in the vast contributions black women have made to the environmental movement. In this intimate, but global event, black women from across the socio-economic spectrum took part in a range of panel discussions and activities looking at everything from intersectional environmentalism to climate activism. With speakers such as Leah Thomas, Dee Creative, Arielle V. King, Tatu Hey, Mikaela Loach, Domi Palmer, Daze Aghaji, Wanjiku "Wawa" Gatheru, Sheena Anderson, Calah Singleton, Joycelyn Longdon, Einass Bakhiet and Marion Atieno Osieyo attendees had the opportunity to hear from some of the brightest minds in the environmental movement.
The mission of the event is to "empower and instil joy in people of colour and historically excluded communities by amplifying the incredible legacies of diverse people in the environmental space throughout history and in the present… (they) believe with representation, and an understanding that they have always been part of environmental history, (they will) empower a new generation of environmentalists and reshape the future of environmentalism to one that is rooted in equity and inclusion. (They) seek to bridge the understanding gap and provide accessible educational resources for those who want to learn and guidance and direction for organisations looking to shift their narrative". The response to the summit was overwhelmingly positive as it created a sense of freedom and relief for those who wished to engage authentically in the environmental space with attendees travelling in from across the globe to enjoy the sense of community and belonging the event produced.
The success of the summit highlights the need for change as the predominantly white environmental movement continues to hinder the inclusion of black women's voices and knowledge from the climate debate. As this year's attendees and many more interested activists look forward to visiting and taking part in next year's summit, we hope that other climate events can learn from the Black Ecofeminist Summit in creating a space for black women environmentalists to be heard and to make their invaluable contribution to the environmental movement.
