Addressing climate change effectively is not only a challenge, it is also an opportunity. Growth that is based on high resilience and low carbon is at the centre of all efforts to address climate change. There are myriad opportunities to benefit people directly, while at the same time contributing to global efforts to control emissions or enhance adaptation capacity, and these opportunities have already been seized by many stakeholders, at national or sub-national levels.
The idea of addressing climate change by looking for positive opportunities is often lost amongst the challenges of limited capacity, resources and political will.
Therefore, the UNFCCC secretariat has developed the concept of ‘Momentum for Change’ as a way to demonstrate the multiple benefits of addressing climate change and to transform misperceptions surrounding taking action on climate change. The secretariat believes that highlighting and enhancing the positive developments in the field of climate change mitigation and adaptation, will increase innovation, motivation, hope, passion and capacity for further change. Change can be positive and positive change can create escalating virtuous cycles.
‘Momentum for Change’ will evolve over time to focus on various important aspects of the overall global climate change effort. The first pillar of Momentum for Change is the Momentum for Change Initiative, which highlights public private partnerships benefiting the urban poor (see below).
The UNFCCC secretariat is building Momentum for Change.
People, companies, organizations and communities everywhere around the world are making the Change for Good.
Enhancing momentum, showcasing opportunities
Momentum for Change – Urban
Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves: The Momentum for Change – Urban, provides a platform to showcase best practices in climate change action, by selecting a shortlist of projects that have already realised positive results in benefiting the urban poor.
A Liter of Light : The aim of the initiative is therefore to build momentum for the evolving climate regime by enhancing the visibility of successful adaptation or mitigation projects on the ground that measurably improve the quality of life of the people they benefit, and which have a potential to be replicable and 
taken to scale. These “Lighthouse Projects” are beacons of opportunity, pointing the direction towards fulfilling the objectives of the Convention.
Seychelles rainwater harvesting in schools: This initiative seeks to promote a virtuous cycle and multiplier effect, encouraging the replication of projects around the world. The initiative to showcase Public Private Partnerships that benefit the urban poor has been created in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
