Chapter II
Lighthouse Activities
The Rockefeller Foundation-Lancet Commission on Planetary Health recognizes that human health and the health of our planet are inextricably linked, and that our civilization depends on human health, flourishing natural systems, and the wise stewardship of natural resources.
With natural systems being degraded to an extent unprecedented in human history, both our health and that of our planet are in peril.
With this in mind, The Rockefeller Foundation and the UNFCCC secretariat launched a 3-year partnership in 2017 to shine a light on solutions to balance the need for both human and planetary health.
The Paris Climate Change Agreement’s central aim is to strengthen the global response to climate change by keeping a global temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
To do so effectively requires that we achieve a climate neutral world by the second half of this century. This means we must measure what we emit and then reduce those emissions. Even with our best efforts to reduce, daily activities and business operations will result in unavoidable emissions. Therefore offsetting, only after measuring and reducing, is key for climate neutrality.
The UNFCCC secretariat launched its Climate Neutral Now initiative in 2015. The following year, the secretariat launched a new pillar under its Momentum for Change initiative focused on Climate Neutral Now, as part of larger efforts to showcase successful climate action around the world.
Across the globe, women play an essential role in tackling the climate change challenge. They are taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by leading initiatives that promote new solutions to addressing climate change, while providing economic benefits to communities around the world.
They are also promoting transformative partnerships that help to adapt to the effects of climate change and build resilient societies.
These Lighthouse activities demonstrate the critical leadership and participation of women in addressing climate change. This focus area is implemented with the support of donors supporting the implementation of the UNFCCC’s Gender Action Plan.
Economic progress enables states to promote development by investing in infrastructure and social programs. The economic performance of developing countries is expected to increase rapidly and represent over 60 percent of global GDP by 2030.
Economic growth provides opportunities for both developing and developed countries to enhance their revenues and their technical and social infrastructures. However, in order to accomplish long-term, sustainable development, countries must mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and use resources efficiently.
Momentum for Change: Financing for Climate Friendly Investment is implemented in partnership with the World Economic Forum Global Project on Climate Change.