Climate change has become one of the most pressing issues of our time. The impact of climate change extends beyond the environment, affecting communities worldwide, particularly the most vulnerable ones. Hence, Climate Justice has emerged as a crucial component of tackling the impacts of climate change. All communities, particularly those most adversely affected by climate change, should be able to share the burdens and costs associated with climate change and its mitigation in a fair and equitable manner.
Energy transition refers to the shift from fossil-based energy sources to renewable or low-carbon emission sources to combat climate change. Energy transition and Climate Justice are interrelated concepts aimed at reducing the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities and promoting a just and sustainable transition of energy in economies to a more low-carbon economy. It is, however, necessary to consider the principles of Climate Justice when planning an energy transition, such as ensuring fair distribution of costs and benefits, protecting human rights, and involving affected communities in the decision-making process. Furthermore, a just and equitable energy transition requires consideration of the social and gender perspectives, as well as the human rights implications across the energy supply chain. This ensures disadvantaged communities; indigenous and marginalized groups who are disproportionately impacted by climate change; are involved in the decision-making process.
Addressing the issue of Climate Justice and Energy Transitioning is crucial in context to Nepal, we are currently driven by corporations and business houses that are bringing false solutions to the climate crisis. The efforts to improve Nepal’s economic capacity and address its crisis have given false hope and caused further environmental degradation, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities, especially women. To address this issue, FCA-JEET aims to provide an intersectional approach to education for young women in Nepal. By empowering them with knowledge and critical thinking skills, they can distinguish between effective and ineffective solutions and advocate for a fossil fuel-free future as future leaders. This initiative focuses on building the next generation of leaders in Nepal. Building the next generation means empowering them and their knowledge to be able to know and analyze wrong and right solutions and approaches brought into their communities. Long-term, they can raise their voices and lead efforts to eliminate fossil fuels.
Thus, Power Shift Nepal a women-led organization in Nepal conducted a national training on FCA-JEET which was held on Dec 10 and 11, 2022. This was annual training for fellows who were selected by an intersectional approach. It aims to transform the knowledge of young females coming from different backgrounds on climate justice focused on just and equitable energy transition and looking at it through a feminist angle for a fossil fuel-free future. The program was more focused on providing different sessions, including:
● Basics of Climate Science by Ms. Sumana Lamichhane (Researcher, Power Shift Nepal) ;
● Introduction to just and equitable energy transitioning from a Feminist angle by Ms. Sagarika Bhatta (chairperson, Power Shift Nepal),
● Climate Simulation and negotiation from a feminist approach by Ms. Prakriti Koirala (Climate Action Activist and COP27 youth delegate)
● False Climate Solution by Mr. Abhishek Shrestha (co-founder of Digo Bikash Institute)
● Climate Finance, Energy and Gender by Ms. Divya Devi Gurung (GESI expert)
15 young females were selected from different fields across Nepal, two of whom were awarded scholarships. The program capacitated the participants on Climate Justice and just and equitable energy transitioning, with relevant group tasks and a climate simulation session conducted for better understanding. The participants developed knowledge of climate justice and explored themes related to fossil fuel-free futures from a feminist angle and they were represented as fellow-feminist climate justice 2022. Among them, 10 of them signed an agreement with the organization to become National Trainer Members of Power Shift Nepal on Climate Justice-2023. Thus, we have contributed to building capacity and empowering young women to lead the fight against climate change and promote a just and equitable transition to a fossil fuel-free future.
Powershift Nepal
Powershift Nepal is a women-led organization in Nepal that work to combat climate change and other environmental issues. We are building and powering young females and women. Through projects such as training and workshops, Powershift Nepal has directly empowered more than 530 young females, 185 women, and 5100+ students. Learn about their organization here.
