UN opens applications for 2018 Momentum for Change Awards

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change on Thursday February 22, 20118 opened applications for the 2018 Momentum for Change Awards asking organizations, cities, industries, governments, and other key players that are taking the lead on tackling climate change to nominate their game-changing projects for a United Nations award.
The United Nations Climate Change secretariat opened the call for applications for the 2018 Momentum for Change Awards today to showcase action and ambition as national governments work toward implementing the Paris Agreement, the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Selected initiatives, called ‘Lighthouse Activities,’ shine a light on innovative, scalable and replicable examples of what people are doing to address climate change, in the hope of inspiring others to act. The winning activities will be recognized and celebrated during a series of special events to showcase global climate action in December at the UN Climate Change Conference in Katowice, Poland (COP 24).
“The Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action was launched to highlight climate action already underway around the world, and to spur governments, businesses and other key players to go further, faster together,” said Nick Nuttall, UN Climate Change Spokesperson. “The Momentum for Change Lighthouse Activities provide visibility and recognition to this wealth of real-world implementation by governments and business to cities, communities and civil society.”
The 2018 Momentum for Change projects also show that climate action is good for people and their communities – making a positive transformation in lives and livelihoods, opening opportunity and protecting the planet we all share. These projects are snapshots of success.
The 2018 Momentum for Change Lighthouse Activities will recognize climate action that is already achieving real results in four categories: Women for Results: recognizing the critical leadership and participation of women in addressing climate change, implemented in collaboration with Masdar’s WiSER initiative; Financing for Climate Friendly Investment: recognizing successful financial innovations for adaptation and climate mitigation, implemented in partnership with the World Economic Forum Global Project on Climate Change. Planetary Health: recognizing novel solutions that balance the need for both human health and a healthy planet, implemented with support by The Rockefeller Foundation. Climate Neutral Now: recognizing efforts by individuals, companies and governments that are achieving real results in transitioning to climate neutrality, implemented with the secretariat’s Climate Neutral Now initiative.
The Momentum for Change Advisory Panel, made up of senior experts from various fields and countries, will select the 2018 Lighthouse Activities. The panel is part of the secretariat’s Momentum for Change initiative, which is supported by The Rockefeller Foundation and operates in partnership with Masdar’s Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) initiative, and the World Economic Forum Global Project on Climate Change.