Case Studies
What is the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP)?
Established in 1992 as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC), the Conference of the Parties (COP) is a yearly event which serves as the platform for international climate policy. The COP acts as the UNFCCC’s supreme decision-making body. This yearly conference convenes delegates from every nation, as well as leading stakeholders and experts from academia, civil society, and the private sector, to take stock of current policy actions, and determine the next steps in addressing the crisis. COP has become a major event that provides opportunities for activists, entrepreneurs, diplomats, and academics from around the world to share knowledge and work together towards finding sustainable solutions.
The past decade has seen more concerted efforts by major economies to tackle climate change, but an imbalance remains between pledges made and the actions carried out. As one of the communities the most affected by climate change, islanders have become more vocal on the international stage in recent years. From addresses by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Tuvalu Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Kofe, to the appointment of Grenadan diplomat Simon Stiell as UNFCCC Secretary, or innovative blue economy policies adopted in Fiji and Palau – islands stand as beacons of hope, rather than vulnerability.
The Client: Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator
An organization focused on building public-private collaborations to fund Caribbean sustainable development projects, the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator (CCSA) leverages its network to unlock financing opportunities and advocate for regional Small Island Developing States (SIDS). As one of the Caribbean’s leading climate finance institutions, the CCSA actively participates in regional and international dialogues on climate change, resilience-building and long-term sustainability. Keen to highlight Caribbean innovation and solutions on a global stage, generating new funding leads, and creating opportunities to grow their network, they approached Island Innovation to manage the organization’s communications and press strategy for COP26. Island Innovation has continued to coordinate the CCSA’s press strategy at COP ever since.
Communications & Press Strategy
Through careful research and analysis, a media list is generated from Island Innovation’s extensive curated network of media professionals that would be interested in the client’s offerings. Supporting this press strategy is a dedicated action plan for social media and the creation of various materials used for generating media coverage. Island Innovation also leverages its connections to provide speaking opportunities at COP.
Our approach ensures continuous interest and leads from journalists on the ground and following proceedings internationally. Capitalizing on the interest created through this strategy, a post-COP virtual press conference is scheduled to provide opportunities for interactive discussions between CCSA leadership and journalists. Island Innovation engages with journalists and media professionals in a way that ensures long-term relationships, as such, the CCSA’s continued trust in our strategies is being rewarded by increased familiarity with members of the press.
Through three COPs (26, 27, 28), Island Innovation and the CCSA’s collaboration has led to:
The CCSA marked a historic milestone on December 1, 2023 with the launch of their Climate Smart Map, an interactive platform with climate action data from over 26 countries, at the CARICOM Pavilion during the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai. Watch this interview led by Island Innovation CEO James Ellsmoor as CCSA CEO Racquel Moses, Peer Muna of PwC and Maria Ricart of Vizzuality explain the importance of the Climate Smart Map.
