Day 5 presented two intersection and cross-cutting themes; Youth and Science. 

Science and Future Generations Day
The opening of Science Day kicked off with the session, “IPCC 6th Assessment Report: How to Accelerate Global Climate Action,” Featuring Egyptian Minister of Environment Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Egyptian Minister of Higher Education, HE Mohamed Ayman Ashour, and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Chair, Hoesung Lee, the speakers referenced the warnings from the global scientific and academic community and the need for science-based information to support implementation.

While Youth represented their key demands that paid specific attention to Action for Climate Empowerment, Adaptation and Resilience, and Accessible Finance that were determined during COY17 which convened over 1,000 young people from more than 140 countries before the official opening of COP27, and following several rich local, national and regional conferences of youth.

Importance of Data and Evidence for Delivering Implementation
Ten significant insights were declared by leading global experts from the natural and social sciences. The focus was on the ability of humankind to adapt to the inevitable impacts of climate change; frequent and severe droughts, storms, and floods. The report was launched by the international networks Future Earth, The Earth League, and World Climate Research Programme (WCRP).

COP27 President H.E. Mr. Sameh Shoukry commented: “Science plays a key role in informing the climate process, providing critical evidence and numbers to build the case for action and the urgency of implementation. We hope that all the participants in our thematic day on science leave with a stronger desire for finding science-based solutions and plan for implementation that leaves no one behind.”

Mr. Shoukry also added: “While we cannot turn back time on melting glaciers and reverse global emissions, we can stop backsliding on our commitments and slow down, even stop some of the impact of climate change by drawing upon science to find solutions.”

Dr. Mahmoud Mohi-Eldin; Egypt’s Climate Change Champion, stressed the importance of the role of science in reaching solutions to major challenges such as debt reduction and debt swap for investment in nature as well as adaptation and resilience problems. The statement was at “The Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda: An Opportunity to Accelerate the Transformation to Resilience” session.

Africa’s Changing Environment: Improve Africa’s Resilience to Climate Change
The day witnessed an important session that presented evidence of climate change impact on Africa’s natural environment. The session discussed the main findings of regional scientific evidence of changing environment due to climate change, as well as the scientific findings of the magnitude of these changes over the past three decades.

Youth and Future Generation Day Ensures Younger Voices Have a Seat at the Table
The Youth-led climate forum, brought together high-level policymakers with young representatives from the Conference of the Youth (COY17) to present the Global Youth Statement and underline the key policy asks compiled by the world’s youth for inclusion in the formal discussions and outcomes and drive climate ambition and implementation. The Opening ceremony was attended by UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Steill, Dr Yasmin Fouad Minister of Environment of Egypt, Dr. Mahmoud Mohi Eldin Egypt’s Climate Champion, Dr. Ashraf Sobhi Minister of Youth and Sports of Egypt, and senior representatives of the COP27 Presidency Team.

Youth represented their key demands that paid specific attention to Action for Climate Empowerment, Adaptation and Resilience, and Accessible Finance that were determined during the COY17 conference prior to the COP27 Launch.

 Actions, Sessions, and Discussions
“Science plays a key role in informing the climate process, providing critical evidence and numbers to build the case for action and the urgency of implementation,” said COP27 president Sameh Shoukry, “We hope that all the participants in our thematic day on science leave with a stronger desire for finding science-based solutions and plan for implementation that leaves no one behind.”.

• Egypt launched its Vulnerability Assessment Map, which was informed by data from the IPCC. The Global Stock-Take Climate Datathon discussed the role of data in the Global Stock-Take, to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
• The key takeaway from the “Uniting Global Scientific Research Efforts to Tackle Climate Change” session was the call for policymakers’ firm action through utilizing scientific research to move from assessment to implementation. The Presidency also launched a One Health Initiative at the session, “Health and Climate Change: One Health for All: One Vision and One Response”.