Island Innovation has announced a call for applications to become part of its 2024 Caribbean Climate Justice Leaders Academy (CCJLA).
Aimed at empowering individuals and organizations committed to environmental sustainability and climate resilience in the region, the program offers participants the chance to represent their communities at the United Nations Climate Change Summit (COP29) being held in Baku, Azerbaijan later this year, with all expenses fully covered.
This will be the second cohort to take part in this programme, which is funded by the Open Society Foundations.
Last year saw over 500 applications from across the Caribbean, with the 35-member group selected to take part in the inaugural programme hailing from every CARICOM nation. Following the 10-week programme, participants built their knowledge on environmental sustainability, climate resilience, international policies and how they impact the Caribbean, 10 participants were chosen to take part at COP28 in Dubai.
Reflecting on her experience, 2023 CCJLA member from Curaçao, Muskaan Khemani expressed, “Since the life-changing opportunity to attend COP-28, I’ve hit the ground running on assisting and leading with projects to build climate resilience in Curaçao. At COP28, I was able to solidify working relationships with ministerial representatives, and this led to a pilot project where she will be mapping out Land Surface Temperature at the neighbourhood 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.”
The Caribbean region faces unprecedented challenges due to climate change, including rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and ecological degradation. Recognising the urgency of the situation, the Caribbean Climate Justice Leaders Academy aims to equip passionate individuals with the knowledge, skills, and networks necessary to tackle climate change head-on and advocate for climate justice.