The 2021 Conference of the Parties represents an opportunity to highlight community-led renewable energy microgrids (REMs) as a core component to a net-zero future
by Indigenous Clean Energy
OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 25, 2021 – Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE) is pleased to announce its participation at COP26, the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference taking place in Glasgow, Scotland from Oct. 31 to Nov.12, which aims to bring communities, civil society groups, heads of state, climate experts, negotiators, business leaders together to tackle climate change.
Committed to advancing Indigenous participation in Canada’s clean energy transition and highlighting Indigenous-led climate action, ICE will lead three sessions as part of the official United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) events. At COP26, the ICE delegation will also announce the official launch of Three Energy Island (TIE), a transformative initiative that focuses on accelerating the development and diffusion of advancing REMs as a core element of equitable global climate action.
Below are ICE’s sessions taking place on Nov. 3 and 4 at COP26:
1. Indigenous Clean Energy and UNDRIP
- Blue Zone – International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change Nov. 3, 2021, at 12:45 GMT | 8:45 EDT
The “Indigenous Clean Energy and UNDRIP” session will be held at the Indigenous Peoples’ Pavilion in the Blue Zone and will highlight several Indigenous-led and partnered clean energy projects that have been done by and for communities on Turtle Island – Canada, thanks to opportunities for local capacity and skill development, adaption of funding streams, utility regulations and legislations and policies. Through storytelling and open dialogue, this session will exemplify how this clean energy transition has occurred and continues to develop in alignment with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
2. Community Renewable Energy Microgrids (REMs) in Action
- Green Zone. Nov. 4, 2021, at 11:30 GMT | 7:30 EDT
“Community REMs in Action” will be part of the Green Zone agenda and will be inclusive of civil society, community leadership and ensure a people’s agenda is brought to REMs allowing for local capacity and empowerment. The session shall profile how Indigenous REMs can integrate and advance The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), put forth by the United Nations notably SDG 13, Climate Action and SDG 7, Affordable and Clean Energy, as well as those SDGs related to the conservation and restoration of nature.
3. Global Renewable Energy Microgrids (REMs) Strategy
- Blue Zone. Nov. 4, 2021, at 16:45 GMT | 12:45 EDT
The “Global REMs Strategy,” session will take place in the Blue Zone and will focus on climate finance, policy mechanisms, utility regulations and strategies for Indigenous and/or community-led and partnered renewable energy microgrids (REMs). This session embodies the concept of ‘Just Climate Energy’ which represents a climate-protective clean energy future that respects and adheres to Indigenous rights and ways of knowing and being.
Throughout these sessions, participants can expect to hear inspiring Indigenous clean energy voices and perspectives at the forefront of global climate action; to interact with global community-centred REMs as a part of climate solutions and learn how they can be financed, and to collaborate on an action plan for REMs to reduce energy poverty and replace reliance on fossil fuels.
If you are interested in joining ICE session at the COP26 Green Zone, please click the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT6HckyhPWI\
ICE also invites the public to stay connected to hear about various collaborative sessions at COP26, where the ICE team will share stories and experiences that illustrate leadership from different dimensions to advance inclusive pathways for climate action.
Quotes
“We have an opportunity as a collective to live and act in a way that protects Mother Earth and sustains living beings for generations to come. There are countless examples and centuries of wisdom across the world that have provided us with road maps to reverse climate crises. It is no longer a question of why, when or how but rather a choice – now or never.”
– Freddie Huppé Campbell, ICE’s Global Hub program lead.
“ICE is honoured to launch the Three Energy Island (TIE) initiative at COP26 as a necessary component of climate action. We need Indigenous and community leadership and support to reach a net-zero future.”
– Chris Henderson, ICE Executive Director
“It is not too late to return to our communities and empower them. It is not too late to create bold and ambitious projects that move us forward, but we must do so together. This is the message of our lands, our animals and our people.”
– Chief Dana Tizya-Tramm of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
Quick Facts
- ICE’s ‘Global REMs Strategy’ session to be Canada’s only official side event
- Thousands of micro or small renewable energy systems are now in place with Indigenous leadership/partnerships
- Medium-to-large Indigenous renewable energy projects have experienced a 29.6% growth rate across Canada since 2017
- COP stands for Conference of the Parties established by the UN
- COP1 took place in 1995 in Berlin. This year will be the 26th conference
- Activity at COP takes place in two zones: The Blue Zone and the Green Zone. The former is opened for members of a national delegation registered with the UN, workers for the UN and related organizations/agencies or members of the media or not-for-profit observer organization, and the latter, is opened for the general public and broadcasted online via YouTube
- The event is said to be hosting around 20,000 guests from 200 countries
Contact
Lina Forero, Communications Manager
Freddie Huppé Campbell, Host & Global Hub Program Manager
About Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE)
ICE is the leading platform in accelerating First Nations, Inuit, and Métis participation in clean energy projects in Canada from coast to coast to coast. ICE supports Indigenous Peoples to be clean energy change agents through capacity building, skills development, career training, and mentorship with high-quality and hands-on programming that is by, for and with the community.