The promise of a Sustainable Future: Integrating & Communicating Youth Perspectives from the Middle East on climate challenges .

Looking to enhance multi-level youth engagement, awareness and participation on today’s climate issues for sustainable post-pandemic recovery, the Youth Climate Dialogue will start with a closed ideation session for participants, followed by an open presentation on the promise of a sustainable future by integrating and communicating youth perspectives into the Global Dialogue. The workshop aims to devise practical, sustainable and pedagogical approaches to climate diplomacy, while mainstreaming public awareness and ultimately, accelerating climate action globally.

This session will bring together thought leaders and experts to discuss pragmatic and effective pathways for carbon management, including technologies and policies needed for  decarbonization and managing climate Change impacts  in the medium and long run.

Discussion Points

1. Climate risks: Pragmatic and effective solutions to combating climate change.

2. Challenges facing the techno-economic aspects of climate solutions

3. How can finance be directed towards decarbonizing harder to abate sectors, role of policy, regulations and market mechanisms?

4. What is the role of regional and bilateral decisions and policies on international climate action

5. How have the findings of the IPCC influenced international cooperation on climate action over the years (policies and technology options)?

6. How far can the UNFCCC process go in terms of advancing global climate action?

7. How can we contextualize the differing national circumstance of nations in a carbon constrained world? How can national policies be harmonized to advance coordinated global action?

Panellists:

• Dr. Rob Stowe, Co-Director, Harvard Project on Climate Agreements, Harvard University

• Prof. Gernot Wagner, Clinical Associate Professor of Environmental Studies and Public Service, New York University

• Dr. S. Julio Friedmann, Senior Research Scholar, Columbia University

• Prof. Jos Marie R. Delbeke, Part-Time Professor at EUI, Full-time Professor, KU Leuven

  
  

An interactive session that discusses the economic and social impacts of climate change and challenges surrounding mitigation efforts. It will also explore the notion of a just transition for Saudi that aligns with Paris agreement objectives and global emission targets.

Discussion Points:

1. International cooperation for a just transitions: Finance and policy

2. Aligning socio-economic realities with international climate goals

3. Social and economic considerations around climate and environmental policies that ensure long term sustainability and intergenerational equity: Socio-economic dynamics’ role in designing suitable climate policies

4. Aligning AlUla's "Journey Through Time" masterplan with national level climate change ambition.

Panellists:

• Laurence Tubiana, CEO, European Climate Foundation

• Fahad Alajlan, President, KAPSARC 

• Princess Nouf bint Mohammed Al-Saud, CEO, King Khalid Foundation

• Rudolph Lohmeyer, Partner, Kearney

This panel will highlight the state of climate change and its impacts on the Kingdom, in addition to future impacts and adaptation measures and opportunities.

Panellists:

• Natalia Odnoletkova, PhD Candidate, KAUST

• Prof. Ibrahim Hoteit, Professor of Earth Science and Engineering, KAUST

• Prof. Rod A. Wing, Director of Center for Desert Agriculture, KAUST

This panel will present initial key findings from AEON Collective and Community Jameel’s innovative and collaborative research endeavor that scientifically evaluates the impact of climate change on health in GCC.

Discussion points:

1. Impact of climate change on public health in the Gulf region, from heat waves to vector born diseases.

2. Implications of Climate change on Hajj

3. Natural and anthropogenic air pollution in the Middle East and their combined impacts.

4. Physical climate damages and implications on food security.

5. Findings & analysis of JPAL global work on poverty reductions and combating climate change and supporting vulnerable communities. Adaptations and mitigations lessons for the gulf.

6. Vulnerable groups in KSA : A focus on Women. Reflection and comments from the Saudi Women’s Observatory at Princess Noura University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Panelists:

• Prof. ElFatih ElTahir, Professor of Hydrology and Climate, MIT

• Dr. Ana Margarida Costa, Head of Sustainability, KAUST 

• Dr. Gregory Sixt, Research Manager, Jameel Water and Food Systems Lab at MIT (J-WAFS)

• Claire Walsh, Associate Director of Policy, Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) Global Project Director, King Climate Action Initiative at Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)

• Dr. Maimoonah AlKhalil, Director of the National Observatory for Women, PNU