The Banjul Climate Caravan ahead of COP27 is a mission to support national advocacy efforts to influence strategic national climate targets on positions regarding adaptation, mitigation, loss and damage, energy, technology, and climate finance in order to meet the expectations of communities affected by the climate crisis.
The team is expected to submit reports to stakeholders upon receiving first-hand information from participants, including the challenges of climate change and the way forward.
Ousman Bojang, governor of the West Coast Region, dwelled on the efforts of achieving climate justice as a universal goal, saying is the only way The Gambia would have a just division, fair sharing, and equitable distribution of benefits.
He further stated that the role of regional and local governments is vital to any national and international climate policy.
“For any climate action to make a strong impact in any society, using the potential of regional and local knowledge cannot be underestimated,” Bojang said.
Ousman Bah, governor of the Central River Region, also described the caravan as an advantageous step ahead of the Cop27. He emphasized that the team should get back to the indigenes upon accomplishment in order to know the benefits and reactions of stakeholders in climate change.
“Tree plantings add value to climate resilience and shouldn’t only be planted; they should be sustainable and checked from time to time,” Governor Bah said.
He commended the team for their tireless efforts and encouraged them to have branches in the regions for a better action plan.
Fanta Darboe, a communication specialist for YVE, described climate change as a global concern, adding that all countries are working towards combating the catastrophe to save the world.
Climate Change, she said: “affects all and we deemed it necessary to engage participants for them to know how it’s affecting them.
The themes of the caravan include mobilising and amplifying the voice of communities at the font-line of the climate crises and securing accountability for climate justice.
