The United Nations Climate Change has introduced a new strategy for its Entertainment and Culture for Climate Action (ECCA) initiative. This strategy aims to utilize storytelling as a tool to combat climate change. The unveiling took place during Climate Week in New York City. According to UN Climate Change, this strategy is the result of a consultation process that began in May. The Wellcome Trust and ECCA members supported the process to refine its purpose and operating model.
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, presented the strategy alongside leaders from the entertainment and culture sectors. Stiell emphasized that climate change is fundamentally about people, encompassing aspects such as food, air, jobs, and the future of the next generation. He stressed that climate action requires imagination beyond policy and investment. Stiell highlighted the importance of creative and cultural sectors in reaching people in ways that official communications or reports cannot.
The new strategy is centered around the ECCA Declaration, a principles-based document. This document allows entertainment and culture organizations to affiliate with ECCA’s mission under Article 12 of the Paris Agreement. The mission focuses on educating and engaging the public on climate action. By affiliating with the ECCA Declaration, organizations commit to supporting climate action through their work.
The ECCA initiative will operate through three main functions. Firstly, it will convene a global community of practice. Secondly, it will connect this community to the Paris process. Thirdly, it will champion storytelling and decarbonization work. The initiative will focus on specific sectors, starting with film and TV, music, and visual arts. A Steering Committee and an annual workplan will drive the implementation of the strategy, starting at COP31.
A key component of the strategy is the continuation of Accelerator City, ECCA’s flagship place-based initiative. Liverpool was the first Accelerator City, where nine decarbonization projects were piloted across live music and screen production. The UN plans to announce selection criteria for new Accelerator Cities at COP31 in Türkiye this November. Expressions of interest for new Accelerator Cities will be invited immediately.
The strategy is a collaborative effort between the UN Climate Change and various stakeholders in the entertainment and culture sectors. By leveraging the power of storytelling and creative industries, the initiative aims to engage a broader audience in climate action. This approach recognizes the influential role that entertainment and culture can play in shaping public perceptions and behaviors related to climate change.
The implementation of the new strategy will be closely monitored, with progress reported annually. The initiative's impact will be assessed based on its ability to educate and engage the public on climate action, as well as its contributions to decarbonization efforts. The success of ECCA will depend on the active participation of entertainment and culture organizations, as well as their commitment to supporting climate action.
Key points
- The UN Climate Change has launched a new strategy for its Entertainment and Culture for Climate Action initiative to leverage storytelling in tackling climate change.
- The strategy includes a new ECCA Declaration and will operate through three functions: convening a global community, connecting to the Paris process, and championing storytelling and decarbonization work.
- The initiative will also continue its Accelerator City program, with new selection criteria to be announced at COP31 in Türkiye.
