EVENT
COP
The Conference of the Parties to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change.
COP & Rotary
Working Together
The COP summit brings parties and observers together to assess progress
towards meeting the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement, and commit to higher ambition to keep global warming below
an additional 1.5ºC – a more demanding goal than the 2.0º max warming.
Our commitment to the climate
Epitomizing the best of civil society, Rotary International’s nearly 46,500 Rotary and Rotaract clubs are a network of 1.4 million community and business leaders, scientists, and problem-solvers, actively serving their communities in 190 countries.
Rotary’s work to protect the environment and climate action closely align with and support Rotary’s other six areas of focus. This environmental/climate focus has led to active engagement with the United Nations at COP29. Rotary, which had a role in the founding of the UN, continued its long history of collaboration with the UN with the development of the ESRAG/UNEP handbook and continues with ESRAG’s commitment to climate action.
The power of this relationship is reflected in the projects undertaken by Rotary and the nearly 2000 members of ESRAG, which support achieving all the United Nations 17 SDGs [Sustainable Development Goals].
Rotary takes action for the environment
Rotary empowers people to take measurable action to protect the environment with impactful, sustainable, and community-based solutions across the globe. Our history demonstrates our concern and support for the environment and climate challenges.
Examples include:
- In 1990, RI President Paulo Costa initiated Rotary’s Preserve Planet Earth Movement.
- Ian Riseley, in 2017, noted that environmental sustainability was every Rotarians’ business and challenged clubs to plant 1.2 million trees, one for every member. Rotary members documented planting at least 4.3 million trees in response.
- RI President Mark Maloney encouraged Rotary leadership to add the environment and climate action to its Areas of Focus, which they did unanimously in 2020.
- Even before 2020, Rotary supported sustainable, community-based solutions with $18 million in global grants in the last five years.
Global Grants
The Rotary Foundation now funds global grants to support: Renewable energy projects, Ecosystem restoration, Mangrove and Tree planting, Sustainable food production, Protecting rivers, oceans, waterways and, much more.
Environmental Scholarships
Global grants also support graduate-level scholarships for professionals interested in pursuing careers related to the environment
Environment Fund
Your gifts and commitments to The Rotary Foundation can now be designated for the Environment to support projects that mitigate carbon emissions and support adaptation to climate impact.
GRETA THUNBERG, Pre COP26 Youth summit, September 30, 2021
“Climate change is not only a threat, it is, above all, an opportunity to create a healthier, greener, and cleaner planet which will benefit all of us. We must seize this opportunity.”
Where we work
We look to collaborate and work together with organizations around the world to solve environmental issues. The ESRAG and Rotary Club/District projects we would like to highlight and bring to the attention of the attendees of COP are:
Nov 11, 2024 – Opening
The world is facing escalating climate crises. Learn how ESRAG’s Climate Action Roadmap strategy enables Rotarians to address the world’s climate crisis. We discuss the increasing threat of climate change, and what Rotary is doing to address climate change, from introducing the Environment Area of Focus to supporting climate-related club projects. We look at how all clubs can become climate friendly by measuring and reducing the carbon emissions of their activities, exploring environmentally sustainable management of Rotary funds, and supporting a target for Rotary to be carbon neutral by 2040.
Nov. 13, 2024 – World Leaders Climate Action Summit
ESRAG is proud to showcase Cinderella Ndlovu, an ESRAG Director and environmental engineer from Zimbabwe, who was recently selected as a Mandela Washington Fellow. Through this prestigious fellowship, Cinderella gained advanced insights in clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and climate resilience, aligning closely with ESRAG’s mission. Her journey strengthened her skills and expanded her global network, empowering her to drive impactful environmental change. Cinderella’s experience embodies ESRAG’s commitment to youth leadership and cross-cultural collaboration, inspiring Rotarians worldwide to build a more sustainable future.
Nov. 14, 2024 – Finance, Investment, Trade Day
Making the case for using money in a values based way, rather than just looking throungh the financial only lens.
Nov. 15, 2024 – Energy/Peace, Relief and Recovery Day
Rotary Solar Panel Challenge! Instead of planting 1.2 million trees in 2017-18, Rotarians planted 4.3 million. What if we installed 1,000,000 solar panels? Each panel is the equivalent of planting 14 million mature trees. Record your panels.
Nov. 16, 2024 – Science, Technology and Innovation/Digitisation Day
Rotary Clubs in the US recapture critical lithium batteries to meet the sharply-rising need. Featured in Forbes Magazine and the Rotary Magazine.
Nov. 18, 2024 – Human Development/Children and Youth/Health/Education Day
Through hands-on experiences and community engagement, young leaders empower themselves and others to take action, turning waste into a resource and fostering environmental responsibility. Watch and be inspired by the next generation taking action for a greener, more sustainable future!
Nov. 19, 2024 – Food, Agriculture and Water Day
Concerned about glaciers? Why not join other Rotarians who are testing ways to conserve glacial meltwater?
Nov. 20, 2024 – Urbanisation/Transport/Tourism Day
Women in Bangalore, India are getting e-taxis and training, saving money, preventing diesel pollution, and breaking a gender barrier thanks to the RC of Bangalore West.
COP
Featured News
Watch this space for updates during the event.
Judith Diment reports on Rotary International at COP28
By Ariel Miller and Laurie Zuckerman. Judith Diment, MBE, who led Rotary International’s delegation to the UN Climate Conference in Dubai, will give...
Rotary is uniquely positioned to make a difference
Rotary members have spearheaded thousands of community-based solutions across the globe to protect the environment, often through our existing areas of focus – ranging from beekeeping in Germany and rainwater harvesting at schools in Jordan.
Combined with expertise and resources, we address challenges and empower communities to develop solutions to their most pressing issues.
COP Resources
Throughout our fight to end polio, we’ve shown what we can do when we draw on the collective strengths of our partners and national governments – and this is an opportunity for us to learn new ways for making meaningful and measurable impact.
We can apply the lessons we’ve learned fighting polio to build awareness and inspire action around projects that promote environmental sustainability.
Documents of Note
Articles
Scientific Articles
Videos
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