EU Climate Diplomacy Week 2022 concludes with renewed optimism

The European Union (EU) Climate Diplomacy Week 2022 concluded on an optimistic note, calling for a stronger collaboration for climate action. Held from 18 September to 1 October 2022, the event attracted more than 4,000 participants at onsite activities including cycling, plogging, talk shows, Youth Climate Pitch, film screening and music performances.

Under the theme ‘Green and Blue for our Climate’, the EU Climate Diplomacy Week 2022 covers three thematic areas, namely clean energy transition; nature and biodiversity protection; sustainable cities and circular economy – with a focus on the role of young people in building a greener future. The EU Climate Diplomacy Week 2022 culminated at the ‘Green Gathering at the Park’ event with a tree adoption initiative for a conservation area in West Java.

“Climate change is the biggest challenge of our time. This year, we kicked off the EU Climate Diplomacy Week by cleaning up the beach and city streets, and by replanting conservation forests with the support of cycling communities – a symbol of our collective action to tackle climate change. More than 4,000 people, especially young people, have actively participated. Their voice, their participation in climate action, is an inspiration to all,” said H.E. Vincent Piket, EU Ambassador to Indonesia.

The Director General for Climate Change, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Laksmi Dewanthi, echoed the significant role of youth in climate action, “Youth is a very important stakeholder. Youth engagement is crucially important for the environment and climate sustainability agenda. The Ministry of Environment and Forestry has been engaging young people in various initiatives, taking into account their strengths in presenting bolder, more creative, and innovative ideas – they are definitely a key driver of change.”

The first youth-focused activity, the ‘Ambassadors-Youth Dialogue on advancing climate action’ brought together 10 EU Member States’ Ambassadors in an intimate discussion with Indonesian students and young climate activists. While the second activity, ‘the Youth Climate Pitch’ drew more than 117 ideas from young people across Indonesia. Climate Diplomacy Week 2022 also hosted experts, practitioners and researchers in exchange-of-ideas discussions which provided insights on topics interlinked with climate change, such as energy efficiency, clean energy transition, green jobs, citizen participation in pollution control, and arts for climate activism.

The EU Climate Diplomacy Week has been implemented in partnership with the Indonesian government, the embassies of EU Member States, EuroCham and the private sector, civil society organisations and Indonesian youth and community groups.