Descrição
As the West Africa Water and Soil Caravan converges in Lomé, Togo,
before travelling together to Cotonou, Benin, for the World Social
Forum (WSF) 2026, this event marks the official pre-launch of the
African Climate Justice Caravan (ACJC) 2026.This pre-launch represents a
strategic moment to unite climate justice actors from across West Africa , strengthen regional solidarity, and build collective momentum for the
official continental launch of the Caravan during the World Social Forum. Despite
global commitments under the Paris Agreement and successive UN Climate
Conferences (COPs), African communities continue to bear the greatest burden of
climate change while contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions. Climate finance remains insufficient, environmental degradation continues to
threaten livelihoods, and the implementation of climate commitments often fails
to deliver tangible benefits to frontline communities. At the same time,
Africa's citizens—particularly young people, women, Indigenous Peoples,
farmers, and grassroots communities—are leading innovative solutions and
demanding greater accountability, participation, and justice. Their leadership
is essential for transforming commitments into meaningful action and ensuring
that climate policies reflect the realities and priorities of African
communities. The African Climate Justice Caravan (ACJC) 2026, under the theme "From
Commitments to Action: Citizens Driving Climate Justice, Accountability and
Just Transition in Africa," seeks to mobilize citizens across the
continent around a shared agenda for climate justice, environmental governance,
and inclusive development.Held in Lomé, this pre-launch panel will serve as the final strategic
dialogue before the Caravan departs for Benin, creating a common vision,
reinforcing partnerships, and issuing a collective call for action ahead of the
World Social Forum and COP31. It aims at officially pre-launch the African Climate Justice Caravan 2026 by fostering
a high-level dialogue on the role of citizens, young people, and social
movements in accelerating climate action, strengthening environmental
governance, and advancing a just transition across Africa. Specifically it will: - Officially pre-launch the African Climate Justice
Caravan 2026 in Togo. - Strengthen regional coordination among West African
Caravan members before their collective participation in the World Social
Forum 2026.- Assess the key challenges affecting the implementation of
climate commitments in Africa following COP30.- Showcase citizen- and
youth-led initiatives advancing climate justice, environmental protection,
and community resilience.- Identify barriers limiting meaningful citizen and
youth participation in environmental governance and decision-making.- Promote
accountability, inclusive governance, and citizen engagement as pillars of
climate action.- Mobilize organizations, institutions, and partners to join
and support the African Climate Justice Caravan 2026.