The youth conference on community based adaptation to Climate Change was held in Nairobi, Kenya this week running parallel to the 9^th International Conference on Community Based Adaptation. The parallel event for the Youth during the conference came as a result of experience from the previous CBA Conferences which noted that that many young people including students, recent graduates and young researchers were interested in participating in the CBA conferences but often lacked resources to do so, additionally the fact that the conference is international means that only a small number could be accommodated within the main programme. Kenya was therefore nominated to host both conferences at the conclusion of the last 8^th CBA conference in Nepal.

 Under the theme "Youth as a Catalyst for enhancing Effective Adaptation'' the youth conference aimed at encouraging young people to be agents of change, particularly in addressing climate change issues in their communities including finding new ways and strategies in communicating climate change and disaster risk.

The discussion on enhancing effectiveness is considered timely, as financial resources for adaptation are likely to grow in the coming years. Keynote speech from Dr .Cosmas  Ochieng  ,one of the YouthCBA  Conference  Co-organizer noted that African future belongs to its youth  and they cannot afford to complicit in destruction of their future. Youths were urged to exercise their numbers, intellect, creativity, energy and citizenship in pursuit of sustainable development and action to combat climate change.

 Key Messages from the youth conference on CBA to climate Change proceeding

• Climate change is real, fluctuating weather patterns, degradation of ecosystems and diseases as the main implications of climate change present huge challenges for food security and economic growth.

•       Community based Adaptation is about how the most vulnerable community can cope with the effect of climate change Climate change is not a choice but a survival mechanism to make end meets in our individual lives

•       There is need to integrate indigenous/traditional community knowledge when providing climate change adaptation solutions  

•       There  are several CBA opportunities for the youth including those linking adaptation and mitigation efforts policy there is funds in adaptation projects

•       Youth need to be self organized, to have a common strategy so as to influence policy makers /cause change and, provide input to technical reports

•       Young people are a bridge to the future , young people need to have an entrepreneurial spirit while approaching CBA projects

•       Intergenerational learning and knowledge sharing on climate change is Key to successful CBA

•       Young people need to take advantage of existing structures to get involved, Look for strategic partnerships including with government ,UNFCCC Youth secretariat ,Tunza Youth Advisory Council, Africa Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC) ,WSCSD-Kenya ,OAY ,YVE etc

•       Communication is KEY to CBA programme success. Effective CBA can be promoted through project documentation, brief, digital photo stories, through music, theatre, role play.

•       Art and Creative works are important tools to engage youths on CBA to Climate Change

•       Adaptation cannot be separated from the promotion of good governance (Transparency, Accountability, Leadership, Innovation and harnessing technologies, Mobilising resources)- Transparency international is dedicated to fight corruption in climate change adaptation funds for CBA Projects

•       Youth are critical players in the coming COP 21 coming in Paris, France negotiations and in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, Africa Union Vision of 2053

•       Climate Change Adaptation is about learning complex processes through actions ,

•       Africa Dev Bank is a key partner in achieving CBA goals. For the last 3 years, the majority of funding 952millions in SSA (Parastatal), 2.1 billion to mitigation was channel to the private sector. Uses two funding schemes Clinton Africa funds  & African Climate change funds

Proposed Solutions to be presented to the main conference captured

•       (Youth  not able to access of resources ) ,Governments was urged to mobilize additional resources from development partners,public and private sector for youth access to climate fund

•       Capacity building of youth on Climate Change related  issues as well as be engaged in Climate Change Negotiation processes

•  Promote and support climate change adaptation projects , drought resilience, and improve Early Warning Response to ensure that the next drought and floods will never cause so much havoc globally

•       Assess and develop global Climate Change policies, legal and institutional frameworks and partnerships including youth and the civil society

•       Ensure development of effective integrated Climate information system to support sustainable development globally.

The outcomes of the conference will make significant contributions to the global climate change and sustainable development agenda (most notably UNFCCC COP 21 and Paris 2015 SDGs implementation)as well as Kenya national climate change initiatives .

Reference links:

http://www.acts-nhttp://www.iied.org/cba9-9th-conference-community-based-adaptation-climate-changeet.org/events/cba-youth-conference