Across the world, climate change is impacting people’s lives and transforming ecosystems. The climate crisis is a humanitarian crisis. In the last five years, 1.59 billion people have been affected by climate and weather-related disasters; as a result, around 130 million people have been internally displaced.

Aside from the immediate impacts, climate change also brings slow-onset impacts, affecting food security, livelihoods and economies. There is a need for urgent climate action across three dimensions: mitigation to cut carbon emissions; adaptation to reduce climate risks; and loss and damage to address unavoidable climate risks and limits to adaptation. Volunteer interventions at local and global levels continue to drive environmental outcomes and climate action, whether through spontaneous community-based actions or highly specialized support at the global level.

The contribution of volunteering to climate action and community resilience report provides evidence of how volunteers across the world are engaging in actions that help their communities adapt to – and build resilience against – the impacts of climate change. It looks at the different forms and scales of volunteering, with a focus on local volunteering. Volunteerism comes in many forms and contributes in multiple ways to respond to climate change and build community resilience.

This discussion is an open invitation to all stakeholders – volunteers, practitioners, researchers, and policymakers – to share their experiences, good practices, and innovative ideas for harnessing the power of volunteerism to address the climate crisis and build resilient communities. 

Key Discussion Points

1. Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Response: How are volunteers contributing to disaster risk reduction and emergency response efforts in their communities? Share your experiences and best practices.
2. Ecosystem Restoration and Nature-Based Solutions: What initiatives are you involved in that promote ecosystem restoration and nature-based solutions? How can we scale up these efforts?
3. Sustainable Livelihoods and Community-Based Adaptation: How are volunteers supporting sustainable livelihoods and community-based adaptation strategies? What are some successful examples you have seen?
4. Volunteer Engagement in Climate Action Initiatives: What are some of the challenges you face in engaging volunteers in climate action initiatives? How can we better support and resource these efforts?