Caribbean Climate Justice Leaders Academy
Developing the next generation of climate leaders in the Caribbean through comprehensive training, mentorship, and community-driven climate action initiatives.
What is Climate Justice?
Climate change has emerged as the biggest challenge facing humanity and requires a feat of collaboration that has rarely been seen before. However, as the world's governments begin to take action to identify, negotiate, and implement the solutions capable of reducing carbon emissions to sufficient levels, many vulnerable communities have already been on the frontlines of climate change. Islands, atolls, and low-lying coastal areas have been considered at risk since the inception of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1992, and over the past thirty years the effects of climate change have slowly gripped a wide range of communities around the world who overwhelmingly tend to have low historic emissions and limited economic development. Current scientific models show that these areas will continue to bear the brunt of the crisis. This means that there is a large subsection of the world's population that is impacted the most by climate change but who are not responsible for its creation - an inequality from which is born Climate Justice. The movement is centered around a more equitable form of climate action that takes into account historical and current emissions into the share of responsibility for tackling climate change and helping vulnerable communities adapt to the crisis.
The Client: The Open Society Foundation
The world's largest private funder of independent groups working for justice, democratic governance, and human rights, the Open Society Foundation identified Island Innovation as the best partner to develop a climate justice programme in the Caribbean. OSF has trusted Island Innovation in the planning, implementation, and execution of the Academy, and committed resources to ensure it is able to operate for at least two years.
The Caribbean Climate Justice Leaders Academy
Through two cycles, the Academy garnered over 1,000 applications from across the Caribbean, with a total of 85 young leaders selected to take part in the programme. Both cohorts saw representation from every CARICOM nation, highlighting how deep the interest in climate justice was in young people in the region.
Island Innovation was trusted to leverage its expert network to put together a 10-week programme aimed at building participants' knowledge on environmental sustainability, climate resilience, international policies and how they impact the Caribbean. Speakers included Island Innovation CEO James Ellsmoor, Stop Ecocide Ambassador Nesha Abiraj, author Jeremy Williams, as well as Bajan tech entrepreneur and activist Donnya Piggott.
Each cohort saw several young leaders chosen to participate in-person at COP28 in Dubai, and COP29 in Baku. The 2023 cohort featured 10 in-person attendees, and 2024 cohort 8. Their participation was possible thanks to additional interest and sponsorship from regional stakeholders such as the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre as well as Grant Thornton, Nagico Insurances, and National Bank of Dominica.
What did it mean to go to COP?
Attending COP28 was an eye-opening and awe-inspiring experience for me. Before going, I couldn't fully grasp what it would entail, despite watching videos and reading extensively about it. The sheer magnitude of nearly 40 thousand people from diverse backgrounds coming together in one place with a shared purpose was incredibly powerful.
Each day at COP, I found myself in a state of wonderment. Witnessing young people, queer individuals, and people of all colors and backgrounds united for a common goal was truly inspiring. COP proved to be an environment where you could shape your experience based on your morals, philosophies, and goals.
Staying grounded in my values and aspirations while navigating the bustling atmosphere of COP allowed me to glean invaluable insights and connections. It reinforced the notion that despite the enormity of global challenges, collective action and shared determination can pave the way for meaningful progress.
Speaking Events
Blue and Green Zones
High-Level Meetings
Island stakeholders & diplomats
UNFCCC Processes
Firsthand participation
Through both weeks of COP28 and 29, cohort members joined the Island Innovation delegation, participating in speaking events and workshops within the Blue and Green Zones, interacting with high-level island stakeholders and international diplomats.
As a whole, cohort members were encouraged to network and leverage their time in Dubai and Baku to further their own professional development projects. This included sitting in on negotiations, attending events, building relationships with stakeholders, and learning more about the UNFCCC processes firsthand through plenary discussions.
Cohort members who were not part of the in-person delegation were provided with tools and opportunities to participate remotely, leveraging Island Innovation's communications platform, and encouraged to develop their own content and projects using the information gained throughout the course.
Impact
The impact and reach of the Academy's inaugural cohort was larger than Island Innovation had hoped. This combined group of 85 young people showcased the importance of having youth from underrepresented regions involved in critical discussions on climate and society, and being able to have these conversations at a regional or global level.
Everything about this program was ground-breaking: From the breath-taking diversity of the participants and the nuanced appreciation of the complexities of climate justice, to the powerful levels of personal development and solid bonds of friendship that were forged in mutual respect and empathy. There was a palpable, enduring confidence that bloomed as everyone felt increasingly empowered, and I am deeply humbled by the qualities of leadership that came shining through from these exceptional young champions of climate justice.
This exceptional group will help inspire and drive capacity-building in their local communities, and highlights not just how keen young people are to participate in climate action, but also regional stakeholders. Countless Caribbean organizations, governments, and private sector businesses reached out to Island Innovation to identify opportunities to support the CCJLA and promote the calls to action echoed by the young leaders taking part in it. As CCJLA alumni continue down their respective career paths, they are doing so with the support of key regional entities.
How did the CCJLA programme impact you?
It was life-changing. I got connected with people from across the Caribbean, and I stopped feeling alone. I felt that my experiences, struggles, desires, and work was shared from people across the Caribbean, and I felt like I belonged somewhere.
At COP28, I was able to solidify working relationships with ministerial representatives, and this led to a pilot project where I will be mapping out Land Surface Temperature at the neighborhood level across the island. Along with Oriana Wouters (2023 CCJLA member from Aruba), we are also working together to conduct a retrospective study of their islands to assist in the ratification of the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement.
Press Coverage
CCJLA members making headlines around the world