The ‘Getting Ahead of Disasters’ Charter, launched at COP28, marks a critical step to ensure communities are better prepared for the climate crisis. Joining ministers, donors, and heads of organizations from around the world, youth advocate Esther, a member of Plan International’s She Leads Climate Cohort, set out her call to action to ensure that the charter delivers for girls, globally.
“As girls, we are not passive victims of the climate crisis. We are ready to lead early action,” Esther, youth delegate at COP28.
Girls are disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis. Yet, they are woefully under-represented in early action decision-making spaces. Equally, their specific needs are not being sufficiently addressed in early action.
See also: Unveiling COP28: A critical meeting to address climate change
Girls are disproportionately affected by the effects of #climatechange as the daily inequalities they face are amplified #COP28. pic.twitter.com/p5jaim27k0
— Plan International (@PlanGlobal) December 5, 2023
Plan International has been spearheading the agenda to advance inclusive early action, which responds to girls’ specific needs. Working with partners, recommendations on inclusion and early action to get ahead of climate-induced disasters were recently published. Plan International, therefore, welcomes the launch of the charter, committing to meet the needs of the most marginalized, and promoting inclusive locally-led action.
Esther, speaking at the COP28 Presidential Roundtable, emphasised: “As girls we are not passive victims of the climate crisis. We are ready to lead early action. Through our girl-led networks, we are leading climate education projects and moving learning to action. But we can’t do it alone. We need support to connect our voices and action with early action systems.”
The Charter sets out principles for collaborative action to ensure better use of finance to protect people in the most vulnerable countries from climate-related disasters, including a shift to early action and prioritizing locally-led and people-centered approaches.
