Reflecting on a Year of Climate Action
Some of us recently returned from COP28, clocking 20,000 steps per day as we ricocheted between meetings, speaking opportunities, and events. In the spirit of reflection and assessment, here is Purpose's very own round-up from a year of people-centered climate campaigning across six continents.
Climate Connections from Dubai to Nairobi, Berlin, and New York in 2023
For Purpose, 2023 was a year of connection across communities, regions and events, including COP28, Africa Climate Week, New York Climate Week, Asia Pacific Urban Forum, Asia Pacific Climate Week, and the Global Health Summit in Berlin. We showed up to meet partners, learn, and share insights on topics we care passionately about, such as the transformative power of narrative building and hyper-local stories; intersections between climate and pressing issues like health; just transition, and countering mis- and disinformation around the world.
At COP28, Purpose championed community voices and narratives in various forums, including SE4All’s session on 'global impact, local voices', a panel on information integrity, roundtable discussions on building climate resilient health systems, and closed-door discussions on South-South Diplomacy for an inclusive energy transition.
Surfacing Intersectional Climate Narratives for Inclusive Advocacy and Action
In 2023, we brought 350 new campaigners and 35 institutional partners together, representing new and previously unengaged audiences, into campaigns for climate solutions in the UK, India, Indonesia, Kenya, and Brazil.
We continued to engage communities on issues they care about, surfacing intersectional climate narratives – from public transport for women working in the informal economy to faith-based appeals for renewables.
Muhammadiyah, one of the largest Islamic organizations in Indonesia, has committed to installing 1,000 solar panels on mosques across the country. This initiative aims to drive local adoption of renewable energy within Muslim communities, providing crucial social proof for the viability of distributed renewables. The project was enabled by the Purpose-driven crowdfunding platform, Sedekah Energi, and garnered attention through national and international media coverage.
In the Indian city of Bengaluru, a network of over 200 women informal workers called Alli Serona pushed the city’s transport corporation to launch feasibility assessments for new bus routes that would expand low-carbon mobility. This marginalized group of women, who were formerly unengaged in climate, are now contributing to the city’s transition to low-carbon solutions.
Verified: Powering Climate Communications
This year, we launched Verified for Climate in partnership with the United Nations - a communications initiative designed to cut through the noise in an era of mis- and disinformation. Through digital-first content, mass communications, and targeted campaigns, Verified for Climate aims to drive demand for and adoption of climate solutions, with an immediate focus on an expedited transition to renewable energy.
During Climate Week in New York in September, the UN Department of Global Communications and Purpose co-hosted a roundtable discussion, “Turning the Tide on the Climate Information War,” that brought together thought leaders across various sectors for an engaging and insightful conversation on how we can power climate communications to drive collective action. Moderated by Melissa Fleming , the discussion made clear the need for investment in communications that is grounded in collaboration, powerful storytelling, and partnerships with trusted voices. More on that here.
Among the trusted voices are Verified Champions, climate messengers with the credibility and experience to share life and planet-saving information. We have started to engage 25 Champions across the UAE and Brazil and will expand to other regions next year. Through capacity building and amplification to mass audiences, we are empowering these content creators to play an active role in turning the tide against narratives of denialism, doomism, and delay. The content produced by these messengers will serve as an antidote to climate mis- and disinformation that proliferates online.
With the support of TikTok , Fortescue, and The Rockefeller Foundation , we are excited to continue to expand and scale this initiative so that we may advance the necessary climate actions so urgently needed. We hope you'll join us.
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Building a Climate Insights Engine to Fight Climate Mis- and Disinformation
Purpose has been busy building and testing a Response Model that puts disinformation research into action. The Response Model provides direction for organizations and teams encountering online threats, such as a disinformation campaign, to understand the practical risks posed and how to take confident strategic action to mitigate them. In 2024 we will continue building out the infrastructure to share this tool with frontline campaigners, especially in global majority countries, as we pilot and link up with global networks to share emergent tactics and successful responses. Learn more about our unique response model here.
And that was what the year looked like through our eyes! Amplifying the voices of the most impacted and building powerful narratives; spotlighting climate-intersectional issues; ensuring that just transitions are meaningful; and stamping out false information that could paralyze action.
Successes like these show us that creative storytelling and campaigns that move people really can remake the world. We wish you and all our climate allies a happy, hope-inspiring 2024.
Interested in connecting or exploring potential partnerships? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at weare@purpose.com or contact us.
More from Purpose Climate Lab
Why Narrative Building Needs to be at the Heart of Climate Transitions
There is increasing agreement that the climate movement needs to become more inclusive. But what a more inclusive transition looks like, and how to make it happen, is still being debated.
Harpreet Bagga , Managing Director and Partner at Purpose , shared her reflections on the necessity for improved engagement of impacted communities in the climate space. Head over to our blog to read more.
Equity on the road to COP30
Mariana Ribeiro , Head of Office at Purpose Brazil, emphasizes that selecting the Amazon as the host for COP30 presents a unique opportunity to prioritize equity as an essential value within the climate movement, and give the Amazon the chance to speak for itself. Read more here.
Purpose Climate Lab (PCL) Evaluation Report - A Comprehensive Assessment of Our Climate Change Campaigns Around the Globe
The evaluation report presents vital recommendations aimed at enhancing the impact of our climate work. These recommendations serve as a guiding framework for future endeavors, emphasizing the importance of building enduring relationships and leveraging global networks to scale up climate programming. Explore the report here.
Speaking Engagements: Our Presence at Key Climate Events in 2023
Our team actively participated in various global forums throughout 2023, addressing critical issues at the intersection of climate, urban development, youth empowerment, and health resilience. Here are notable highlights from our contributions to key events around the world: