There’s a lot at stake when the United Nations climate change talks kick off in Belém, Brazil, on 10 November. Flow was privileged to work with the German development agency, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), to present two run-up events, right here in South Africa.
We provided assistance with securing a venue and master of ceremony for the first event and, for both events, provided graphic design, public relations, rapporteur services, photography, technological support and catering. The GIZ sponsored the events, which were hosted by the European Union Delegation to South Africa and various associates. What’s more, we had so much fun doing it all!
“It was an honour for Flow to work with the European Delegation to South Africa and the GIZ again on the vitally important topic of climate change mitigation,” says Flow CEO, Tara Turkington. “Climate change is affecting and will affect the poorest and most marginalised people in the world, including tens of millions of Africans. We are deeply motivated to use our communications skills to support efforts to reduce global warming.”
The first event, in Pretoria on 3 October, celebrated the 10th anniversary of the groundbreaking Paris Agreement, signed at the end of 2015’s COP21 United Nations climate change talks to reduce climate change, with buy-in from 195 countries.
Since the agreement was signed, global greenhouse gas emissions have slowed significantly, with global warming on track to be closer to the aimed-for 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels than the 4°C increase that was projected at the time (2015).
The 3 October event, co-hosted by the EU Delegation and the French Embassy, reviewed global, EU and South African climate action progress and milestones achieved towards implementing the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Titled “People Powering Climate Action: 10 Years of the Paris Agreement in South Africa”, the event showcased the Paris Agreement’s role as a catalyst for climate action and highlighted its relevance for future generations. It was MCed by Zandile Ndhlovu, also known as the “Black Mermaid”, South Africa’s first black female free-diving instructor and a powerful advocate for ocean health.
On 21 October, we were back in Pretoria for an EU-South Africa panel discussion titled “From Pledges to Pathways – Operationalising the 2035 NDCs”. NDCs, or nationally determined contributions, are climate action plans submitted by countries under the Paris Agreement to outline their targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change impacts.
“We are proud to have worked with Flow in delivering two inspiring events. Their creativity and professionalism created an impactful space,” says the GIZ’s Diana Mawoko.
Flow project management head Gail Tanner says: “It’s such a privilege to work with the EU and GIZ on events that are so important and impactful. And she’s right, we at Flow are proud too, of smoothing the way for the important conversations to flow smoothly towards Belém!
The 21 October event, hosted at the EU Delegation’s headquarters, set out how South Africa and the EU are collaborating on drawing up their revised NDCs for 2035, which they will submit through the climate change talks process.
