27 October 2024 | Bangkok, Thailand
Innovating for a Cooler Future: The Montreal Protocol and Youth Action
Youth Forum on Climate Protection (YFCP)—a groundbreaking platform where young leaders from around the world converge to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time: climate change. With the Montreal Protocol as our foundation, we are not just talking about protecting the ozone layer—we're pioneering innovative solutions for a cooler, more sustainable future.​
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The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer stands as one of the most successful global environmental agreements in history. It has effectively governed the production and consumption of nearly 100 man-made compounds known as ozone-depleting substances (ODS), setting the stage for the ozone layer’s recovery. In 2016, the Kigali Amendment expanded the Protocol's mission to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases commonly used in cooling systems, which could prevent up to 0.5°C of global temperature rise by 2100.​​
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But there’s more work to be done. As we navigate the intersection of climate protection, energy efficiency, and cooling technologies, the role of youth is more critical than ever. The Youth Forum on Climate Protection (YFCP) is designed to harness the creativity, innovation, and energy of young people to drive forward-thinking solutions in this space.
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Why Now?
With climate change accelerating, the need for sustainable cooling and energy solutions has never been more urgent. Yet, despite the technical nature of these discussions, youth voices have often been missing from the table. This forum seeks to change that by empowering young people with the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to become active participants and innovators in the global dialogue on ozone and climate protection.
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Objectives of the Youth Forum:​
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Policy Training and Capacity-Building on Montreal Protocol
Youth Forum primarily serves as a capacity-building and training ground for youth individuals and organizations. Through consultations, workshops and sessions, we aim to equip young people with the background on the Montreal Protocol, key issues related to ozone and climate protection and the skills required to engage in this space. Skills development is key to this process, where youth will learn how to formulate and present meaningful interventions based on inputs from diverse participants, regions and groups.
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Engagement to the 36th Meeting of Parties to Montreal Protocol and 13th Conference of Parties to the Vienna Convention
Part of the Youth Forum will equip the youth participants to be engaged as a youth delegation of CYMG to MOP 36 and COP 13. Reflecting upon the historic situation last MOP 35, CYMG is committed to continue the advocacy of highlighting the critical role of meaningful youth engagement in one of the most successful MEAs. Youth delegates will maximize their participation by attending in meetings and side events, learning from the panels of experts, practitioners and scientists.
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Network Building and Activism
Youth Forum creates a fertile ground for future leaders interested in environmental action, ozone and climate protection to establish new movements and networks. In addition to policy discussions, the forum provides a platform for artistic expression, movement building, activism, and cross-collaboration.
Programme and Resources
09:30 - 10:00 | Pre-Forum Informal Capacity Building Session: Overview of Montreal Protocol and Vienna Convention​
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10:00 - 11:00 | Official Opening Segment
> Speakers:
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Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme
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Clarence Gio Almoite, Ozone and Clean Air Focal Point of the Children and Youth Major Group
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Wang Qi, Chinese Youth Delegate from Tsinghua University
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11:15 - 12:30 | Aligning Global Climate Goals: National Implementation, the Paris Agreement, and the Montreal Protocol in Focus​
> Segment A | Understanding the Synergies between the Paris Agreement and the Montreal Protocol
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Speakers: Ms. Jie Pan and Ms. Xin He from the UNDP Chemicals and Waste Hub Bangkok
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Resource: Presentation on Understanding Synergies between Paris Agreement and Montreal Protocol
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> Segment B | NDCs in Focus: Policy Coherence between National Commitments and International Agreements
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​Speaker: Claudia Marleen Alvarez, GIZ Proklima
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Resource: Presentation on How to Cool your NDCs - Integrating the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Sector into Nationally Determined Contributions
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13:30 - 14:45 | Workshop on Green Jobs and Skills in Cooling Sector
​> Speakers:
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Ines Josten, Green Cooling Initiative (GCI) Thailand
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Xin Gao, Youth Development Specialist, UNDP China
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Jeremiah Thoronka, Representative, SDG 7 Youth Constituency​
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> Resources: ​
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14:45 - 15:30 | Panel Discussion on Energy Efficiency​
​> Speakers:
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Yosr Allouche, Director General of the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) - Online
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Sommai Phon Amnuaisuk, International Institute for Energy Conservation (IIEC)
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Maria Pushkareva, The Cool Up programme
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> Resources:
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Presentation on Enhancing Energy Efficiency in Cooling Systems​​
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Video Presentation by IIR
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15:45 - 16:30 | Financing Ozone and Climate Action​
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Substantive Outcome Report of the Youth Forum on Climate Protection
Venue and Logistics
We are pleased to announce that the Youth Forum on Climate Protection, supported by the UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and Asian Institute of Technology, will be held at the Sukosol Hotel in Bangkok. Due to the technical focus and structure of the event, we are able to accommodate a limited number of participants, with space for fifty (50) delegates. Refreshments will be provided to all selected participants during the forum.
GET IN TOUCH
For more information, please contact:
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Clarence Gio Almoite
Ozone and Clean Air Focal Point