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Nov 01 2021
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Feminists in the Climate Movement at the Green Hub

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About the Event

Women and minorities are more likely to be affected by the consequences of climate change but are also the key people who can bring about change in their communities. Countries with more diversity in decision-making have more ambitious climate policies. But diversity doesn’t just magically happen  – it must be encouraged. Women and non-binary people need specific training to make change in traditionally male-dominated places of decision-making. 

This year, GEF has selected and supported a group of twenty Feminist Climate Ambassadors to do just that. We have also run a series of public events on the nexus of gender equality and the climate crisis, and are exploring ecofeminism and ethics of care as a potential framework for societal change. Our Green Hub programming continues this work! 

Programme:  

11:00 – 12:30 Ecofeminist Roundtable: Conversation Circle on Ecofeminist Experience, with the support of Oikos 

As individual selves, we are part of a web of relationships with both human and non-human others. Within ethics of care, we maintain nourishing and caring relationships.  

In this workshop, we discuss what this entails for us, and we put ethics of care into practice by creating a safe space for us to connect, tell our stories and listen to each other. There is space for self-expression and deep listening. 

The session will be completed by a moment of body-care (through breath work and movement). Care for our physical bodies supports the connection to ourselves and helps to solidify the connections between self and the self, self and the fellow participant, and ultimately towards self and the world we live in. 

 

15:00 – 17:00 Rethinking People, Planet and Profit with Feminist Climate Ambassadors, with the support of Visio 

Join GEF’s Feminist Climate Ambassadors to renew your thinking about the three dimensions of sustainability. The ambassadors and international experts offer you a new feminist lenses and facilitate constructive conversation on environmentalism, economy and climate policy & security. 

  • With our ambassadors Barbora Majdisova (Poland & Sweden), Louisa Mandt (Germany), Gabrielle Sousa e. Hiltmann (Brazil & Germany), Ana Díaz Vidal (Spain & Scotland), Claire Woods (Ireland), and Dilara Asardag (Cyprus & Finland). 
  • Additional speakers to be announced! 

 

17:00 – 19:00 Training for Feminists in the Climate Movement: How COP Works, with the support of Green Economics Institute 

This is a workshop to familiarise researchers, activists, and policy makers as to how they can make a difference and contribute to COP26 dialogues, with a particular eye on issues like gender equality and diverse decision making. We will start with introducing how the treaty works, what negotiations look like, and how different actors exert their influence. This is followed by an interactive workshop exploring participants’ own reflections and inputs. 

  • With Michelle Gale (Gender Progress); Jean Lambert (GPEW, former MEP); Dr. Alexandra Harrington (Global Institute for Health and Human Rights), Dorothy Nalubega (Ecological Party of Uganda, Global Greens), and Miriam Kennett (Green Economics Institute). Facilitated by Peg Alexander. 

 

Practicalities

Venue: Kirk Lounge at the COP26 Green Hub (The Renfield Centre – 260 Bath Street, Glasgow, UK). These events will be taking place entirely in person. 

Audience: Free and open to the general public, but pre-registration may be required and there is a maximum capacity for each session. 

Register: To learn more and sign up in advance, please check out this link. To sign up for the “How COP Works” training specifically, you can also do so here. 

 

Other material

Read the COP26 Feminist Climate Ambassadors statement here

This event is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of Visio, Green Economics Institute, and Oikos, and with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation.  

Jul 16 2021
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Climate Feminist Summer School

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About the Event

Women and minorities are more likely to be affected by the impacts of climate change and environmental crises, but are also key to bringing about change in their communities. Countries with more diversity in decision-making have more ambitious climate policies, while the empowerment of women is also closely linked to better economic and wellbeing outcomes for all.  

We need this diversity and we celebrate it, but we also know that it flourishes best when it is pursued actively and obstacles are clearly understood. Specific support for systemically underrepresented groups, including women and non-binary people, is crucial in order to make a change in traditionally male-dominated spaces.  

How are women currently excluded from climate negotiations and decisions? What are the lessons and insights from those leaders who have managed to break through? What are the narratives and structures that keep inequalities in place, and the “gender-blind” solutions that fail to challenge the status quo? How does the patriarchal exploitation of the planet relate to the lived experiences and activism of women of colour, indigenous women, LGBTQ+ women, and others? And above all, what can we do to address all of this?  

This online summer school will feature a series of interactive sessions to explore the gendered impacts of the climate crisis, but also provide concrete tools, inspiration, and knowledge to equip participants in their own lives and with a special eye on COP26. We will facilitate encounters between activists, climate scientists, researchers, policy makers, campaigners, politicians, and the general public, in order to move this priority high on the agenda and spark connections across Europe and beyond. 

Context: 

This summer school is part of the project “Feminists in the Climate Movement,” organised by GEF with the support of Visio, Green Economics Institute, Oikos, and Fundacja Strefa Zieleni. With a closed training programme for selected Feminist Climate Ambassadors as well as a series of public events, the project seeks to build capacity among (potential) climate leaders, while highlighting the gendered aspects and impacts of the climate crisis to a broader audience.   

Speakers: 

Confirmed speakers include: 

  • Prof. Graciela Chichilnisky (professor of economics at Columbia University, IPCC lead author, co-founder of Global Thermostat) 
  • Clare Bailey (Leader of Green Party Northern Ireland)
  • Jean Lambert (European Green Party)
  • Mana Livardjani (Director of ENOP – European Network of Political Foundations)
  • Frances Roberts-Gregory (Northeastern University Future Faculty Fellow)
  • Patrizia Heidegger (European Environmental Bureau)
  • Rahila James (ActionAid Nigeria)
  • Marie Pochon (Notre Affaire a Tous)
  • Ewa Sufin-Jacquemart (director of Strefa Zieleni, Congress of Women coordinator) 
  • Chelangat Scholar (national chairperson at Green Congress of Kenya) 
  • Olfa Jelassi (GenderCC) 
  • Dr. Alexandra Harrington (research director at Centre for International Sustainable Development Law) 

And many more!

Programme:  

The full programme and speakers can be found here. Please note that sessions are subject to change. 

Practicalities: 

Date and time: August 20th – 22nd (13:00 – 19:30)   

  • Sessions include plenaries, networking, workshops, social sessions, and many other formats. There will be plenty of extended breaks, and participants are welcome to join whenever and for whichever session(s) they want.  

Audience: This summer school will take place in English, online, and is open to the general public. We strive for an open but safe space, making the summer school as interactive and accessible as possible while ensuring the wellbeing of our participants.   

Registration: Please register in advance here. 

 

This event is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of the Green Economics Institute and with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this event.

Mar 29 2021
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Mining for metals – can it be fair?

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About the Event:

The energy transition has been placed at the top of the European political agenda, with the digital transition closely following suit. But to successfully implement these two priorities, the EU needs to examine and adjust its supply and use of metals.

Should we press mining companies to clean up their act and negotiate a fair trade in metals, or is time to nearshore the extraction of metal ores? Is it even possible for Europe or the UK to become self-sufficient in metals, by reviving metal mining within their borders and/or by drastically improving recycling from the urban mine? One thing is clear: the dilemmas around metals make it all the more urgent to rethink our consumption patterns, from mobility to data use.

This is the third of nine public webinars as part of the project ”Metals for a green and digital Europe” organised by GEF with the support of Wetenschappelijk Bureau GroenLinks (Lead partner), Green Economics Institute, Institute for Active Citizenship, Etopia, Transición Verde, Visio, Fundacja Strefa Zieleni.

 

Speakers:

 

Miriam Kennet (The Green Economics Institute, UK ) – Director CEO

Richard Wouters (Wetenschappelijk Bureau GroenLinks, NL) – Metals for a green and digital Europe  project leader

Francisco Ruiz and Mark Driver- (Mining in Chile)

Dr Freddie Tshibumbu Shamwana ( DRC)

Sophie Kwizera – Just Transition, Actionaid (NL)

Karen Alvarenga Windham-Bellord, (UK and Brazil) PhD Cantab,Natural Resrouces Law specialist, Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Cambridge

Agneta Granstroem Indigenous Sami and former MP, (Sweden)

Dr Liliana Poposkova-  Macedonia Former MP and specialist in Mining

Professor Peter Yang- USA and China- Renewable Energy. Case University

Michael Oghia from the Sustainable Digital Infrastructure Alliance.

Kim Than (University of Alberta, Canada)

Dr Enkhbaya Shagdar, Erina- (Japan) Senior Research Fellow and COP Climate Expert specialist in energy issues and sustainable development

Baroness Natalie Bennett- UK House of Lords

Coal Mining-Speaker- Ewa Sufin –

Professor Asia Mohammed IPBES (Sudan)

 

To be confirmed:

Dr Hend Ahmed Saldedin (Egypt) Steel Economics and mining and the environment.

 

Programme:

 

9.30-10.00 CEST Introduction

Presentation of the Green European Foundation’s transnational project Metals for a green and digital Europe by project leader Richard Wouters (Wetenschappelijk Bureau GroenLinks, NL).

10.00 -11.20 Session 1 – Mining in the Global South

A) Overview: The extraction of metal ores often causes major damage to nature and the environment, as well as human rights violations, conflicts and corruption.Examples include DRC and Chile. The mining of cobalt and coltan in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a case at hand. Is a more responsible sourcing of metals from developing countries possible? Is the European Union on the right track by extending mandatory due diligence in supply chains?

Speaker: Sophie Kwizera – Just Transition, Actionaid (NL)Confirmed,

A) The situation in Africa and the DRC

Speaker: Dr Freddie Tshibumbu Shamwana ( DRC), Confirmed

B) Mining in Latin America

1)Mining in Chile- Speaker: Francisco Ruiz (Chile) Mining in Chile ,Confirmed

2) Stakeholder participation in dam safety plans in the mining sector-

Speaker: Karen Alvarenga Windham-Bellord, (UK and Brazil) PhD Cantab,Natural Resrouces Law specialist, Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Cambridge, . GEI Author and Editor. Confirmed-

She says”“The United Nations’ Awareness and Preparedness for Emergencies at Local Level (APELL) for the mining sector sets a 10-step plan for drafting and implementing actions with stakeholders’ participation at its centre. The APELL places special emphasis on representatives of local communities, making the plan more inclusive and effective in saving lives and the environment. This is because when people participate in the decision-making process from an early stage, they are more likely to implement what is planned. In times of emergency, knowledge of the plan and the will to follow it are crucial to save lives and minimize negative consequences of accidents.”

C) Discussion scene setting and Q and A (20minutes)

11.20-11.30 Short Break

11.30- 12.45 CEST Session 2 – Fair trade in metals: The Situation in Europe : Speaker Debate Panel.

Chair Professor Simon Mouatt, Co-Chair Ewa Sufin, Tech: Marlyn Hughes: Tech Miriam Kennet

The EU is eager to strengthen its industry for energy and digital technology, for

instance by building battery factories. If a developing country restricts the export of

metal ores in because it wants to make and export semi-finished metal products

instead, that might lead to a WTO complaint by the EU, as happened in the case of

Indonesia. Does the EU’s scramble for metal ores undermine the global South’s right

to earn more from their raw materials by building their own industry around it? What

would a fair trade arrangement look like?

A) -Mining in Europe: –

Cases

1) Dr Krzysztof Dudek a presentation on the mining of metals in Poland, especially copper. (Poland)

2) The just transition in Poland -Coal Mining-Speaker GEI UN COP Delegate Ewa Sufin -(Poland)

3) Mining conflicts in Norway- Hans Kare Flo- (Tekna-Technical Trade Union, Norway)

 

11.55-12.05 Mid session quick break

 

4) N Macedonia. Speaker: Liljana Popovska (N. Macedonia), Former MP and specialist in Mining, GEI Author.

5) Mining in Serbia: Zaklina Zivkovic, PolEkol (Serbia)

6) Indigenous Perspectives -Mining in Traditional SAMI areas in Sweden

Speaker- Agneta Granstroem Indigenous Sami Gov Councillor and Former MP (Sweden)

Q and A

 

12.45-13.00 Short Break

 

B) 13.00-13.15 Exploiting the urban mine

To what extent can a better recycling of metals reduce the need for virgin metals? At

present, it is the rarest metals that are worst recycled. How much research and what

kind of legislation do we need to fully exploit the urban mine? Can some metals that

are critical for green energy and digitalisation, such as the rare earths that we

currently source from China, be substituted by more common materials?

Speaker:

Dr Liljana Popovska-( N Macedonia )Former MP and specialist in Mining. ‘Liljana Popovska: Mining can not be in the neighbourhood of agriculture and tourism, definitely.’

13.00-13.30 CEST Lunch Break and Break Outs

 

13.30-14.20  Session 2d) Mining and The SDGs

The UN Sustainable Development Goals, impacts and ethics of mining -near shoring -can we justify bringing mining effects into the EU? If not- what is the alternative? (All speakers invited to be confirmed)

14.20-14.30 Short Break

14.30- 15.30 Session 3 –Contemporary Metal mining

A) 14.30-15.15 CEST : By importing most of their metals, both the European Union and the UK shift the burden of environmental damage to poorer countries. Mining in Europe would

probably be less destructive because of our environmental rules. Moreover,

perpetuating Europe’s dependence on metal imports, especially from China, creates

geopolitical risks. Is it time to revive metal mining within Europe’s borders? On what

conditions would that be acceptable to local communities and green activists, if at

all?

B) Sustainable digitalisation 15.10-15.30 20 minutes

Digital technologies can help us make a more sparing use of natural resources – from smart energy grids to sensors and algorithms that sort out metal scrap. However, not all forms of digitalisation are a blessing to the environment. The exploding use of data for online video, gaming, advertising, surveillance and training artificial intelligence requires more and more energy and metals. How can we put the digital transition on a sustainable path?

 

15.30- 15.45 – CEST Break

 

15.45 – 16.45  Session 4 –From Glasgow COP21 to Kunmin COP15 – 2021 a watershed year. The importance of mining and how to incorporate its future as a sustainable part of human activity.

At the end of 2021, the global community hopes to gather for the UN Biodiversity onference (COP15) in Kunming, China, and for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, UK. If the coronavirus crisis has not driven home the urgency of protecting natural habitats and respecting planetary boundaries, then what will? However, whereas metal mining might be seen as a curse for biodiversity in Kunming, it may be seen as a blessing for climate solutions in Glasgow. Where metal mining takes place in the remaining habitats of wildlife, the risk of new zoonoses is lurking. But we cannot do without metals for carbon-free energy. How to reconcile the objectives of Kunming and Glasgow?

16.45 -17.00 CEST Break

 

17.00- 17.45 CEST Session 5–Concluding session- and next steps. Rethinking our hunger for metals

The dilemmas around metals prompt us to question a western way of life that is

consuming more and more kilowatt-hours and megabytes. Should we replace every

fossil fuel car with an electric one, or is it better to share cars and promote cycling?

Can our growing data consumption be justified and do we need an even more

versatile smartphone every two years? Are our politicians willing to confront these

questions, even if it might spook their voters?

Practicalities:

Date and time: Saturday, May 15th from 09:00 to 18:00 CET

Audience: This webinar will be in English and is open to the general public.

Registration: Click Here

 

Please note all times are Central European Time for this event.

 

This event is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of  Green Economics Institute and with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation.

Feb 16 2021
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Call for participants – Feminist Climate Ambassadors

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About

Twenty ambassadors from across Europe will be appointed to participate in the six-month training program free of charge. The training starts at the end of March and has monthly online meetings, culminating in study trips to the European Parliament and Ecopolis in Brussels and COP26 in Glasgow in October-November. We encourage all ages and backgrounds to apply!

This online training is a part of the Feminists in the Climate Movement project, organised by GEF and its supporting partners Educational Centre Visio (Finland), Green Economics Institute (UK), Oikos (Belgium) and Fundacja Strefa Zieleni (Poland). Visio collaborates locally with Finnish Green Women’s association. The project promotes the growth of the green feminist movement across Europe.

 

Do you have what it takes?

  • You are passionate about making change
  • You are engaged in concrete action to promote sustainability, ideally with a gender equality lens
  • You wish to learn about advocacy, networking and campaigning
  • You want to identify and pursue your personal advocacy goals
  • You want to raise awareness for your cause
  • You want to meet other feminists working on similar projects in their regions
  • You are able to commit to a training programme: spending about 6-10 hours monthly on individual and group work, and attending activities listed below.

 

As an ambassador, you will receive…

  •  Training by international experts, facilitators and political leaders to define and achieve your own advocacy ambitions
  •  The possibility to develop your projects with an established mentor – industry leader, politician, campaign specialist, NGO leader…
  •  A toolkit to support your own work in your local project
  •  Support and visibility for your own goals via the Feminist Climate Ambassadors network
  •  Opportunity to participate in COP26 in Glasgow or visit the European Parliament and Ecopolis event in Brussels – travel and accommodation is covered by the training programme for one study trip per participant
  •  The right to use the title #FeministClimateAmbassador

 

Training activities:

  • Virtual training day 1 on Saturday March 27th 2021 (compulsory)
  • Webinar on Sunday March 28th 2021 (participation encouraged, recording will be available)
  • Webinar on Thursday April 8th 2021 (participation encouraged, recording will be available)
  • Virtual training day 2 on Saturday April 24th 2021 (compulsory)
  • Webinar on Saturday 8th May 2021 (participation encouraged, recording will be available)
  • Virtual training day 3 on Saturday 22nd May 2021 (compulsory)
  • Virtual training day 4 on Saturday 19th June 2021 (participation encouraged, no recording)
  • Webinar on Saturday 28th August 2021 (participation encouraged, recording will be available)
  • Virtual training day 5 on Saturday 4th September 2021 (compulsory)
  • Virtual training day 6 on Saturday 25th September 2021 (compulsory)
  • One study trip – should the Covid-19 pandemic allow –, either to the European Parliament and Ecopolis event in Brussels (22-24 October 2021) or COP26 in Glasgow (beginning of November)
  • As a participant to the Feminist Climate Ambassador training, you will also have the opportunity to attend a 3-day climate & feminism summer school free of charge on August (not compulsory.)

Apply

Deadline for submitting applications is March 10th 2021 at 12 (noon) CET. Applications will be reviewed by a jury of experts. Selected ambassadors will be contacted by March 15th 2021. Training will start on Saturday March 27th 2021 with a kick-off meeting. The virtual working space will open on April 1st, and will be available for the duration of the training for networking and exchanging ideas with fellow ambassadors and trainers.

Application Link

 

This project is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of Visio, Green Economics Institute, Oikos, Fundacja Strefa Zieleni and with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation.