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Jeremy Hobbs, Oxfam International’s Executive Director, explained that over the last year, more than 1.5 million people have attended climate hearings in 36 countries to listen to the stories of those who are most affected by climate change but least heard by decision makers. He said their stories comprise the moral imperative for a fair, ambitious and binding deal in Copenhagen.
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu stressed the need to listen to, heed and act on the voices of those at the frontline of climate change who, he said, know its impacts better than anyone else. He continued that testimonies from global witnesses reflect a disaster already in progress, but that human beings have the power to “rein it in.” He stated that unless a deal is signed in Copenhagen that recognizes the need for the highest polluters to pay the highest price, it is the poorest – who have done the least harm – who will suffer most.
Climate witnesses shared how climate change has impacted their lives, communities, countries and continents. Peruvian farmer Cayetano Huanca described how changes in seasonality, increased water scarcity and the introduction of new diseases have impacted agricultural and pastoral livelihoods. Bangladeshi Cyclone Aila survivor Shorbanu Khatun described how the cyclone had exacerbated her struggles as a single mother trying to earn a living from heavily degraded and increasingly drought-prone land. Ugandan farmer Constance Okollet described how seasons have been replaced by a constant string of droughts and floods that devastate crops each year.
Pelenise Alofa, a witness from Kiribati, said human rights are being bought and sold at COP 15. She stated that humans have mountains in their hearts and called on leaders to conquer their mountains because climate change is a matter of life and death.
The witnesses called for: industrialized nations to reduce their emissions by 40% below 1990 levels by 2020; developed countries to provide financial compensation to help developing countries to adapt to already-occurring climate change; and leaders to recognize that climate change is destroying the livelihoods of the world’s most vulnerable.
Mary Robinson, former Irish President and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, elaborated Oxfam International’s verdict, which is based on the climate hearings, and which finds that climate change is undermining human rights on an unprecedented scale. She said the verdict includes calls for 40% emission reductions and long-term, predictable and additional funding on the scale of US$200 billion annually by 2020. Following the side event, the verdict was delivered to UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer.
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This session focused on cooperation and partnerships across the global South and North, especially China, India and the EU, to promote climate change responses that contribute to sustainable development.
Peter Luff, AGCC, said there are three positions for those addressing climate change; protesting, negotiating and taking practical action. He introduced the panelists as part of the “third camp” of practical action. Philip Thörn, IVL, described an analysis of the EU-China CDM Facilitation Project. He said CDM projects were found to generate certified emission reductions (CERs) and at least modestly promote sustainable development, but noted barriers to technical knowledge transfers.
Prabhat Upadhyaya, TERI, presented results from a study entitled “Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in India: Financial Mechanisms and Opportunities for EU-India.” He noted that policy and financial support are needed to catalyze major transformations in the energy sector. Francis Johnson, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), on behalf of Göran Nilsson Axberg, SEI, outlined a report on “Financial Mechanisms and Opportunities for EU-India Collaboration,” commenting that intellectual property rights must be addressed in technology transfer efforts and that sectoral approaches for carbon credits are promising.
Peter Luff, AGCC, introduced the “High Level India-EU Dialogue: Solutions for Sustainability” initiative, and John Schellnhuber, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, reflected on the cost of “dirty development” and the potential for financial and technology transfers to developing countries to support clean development. Philip Riches, International Court for the Environment Coalition (ICE), stressed the need for an international court accessible to both state and non-state actors, explaining that such an institution could assist with interpreting conflicting international environmental commitments.
Participants discussed: how to link poverty relief and environmental protection; uncertainty of climate feedback effects; and distributional equity for CDM projects.
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Jacob Werksman, WRI, introduced the event, which focused on the challenges of implementing the COP's anticipated agreement and making progress on national-level mitigation and adaptation plans.
Bharat Jagdeo, President of Guyana, outlined a national-level REDD pilot project being undertaken in Guyana that, in addition to the core REDD-related aims, focuses on making the economy more climate-resilient and stimulating low-carbon opportunities outside the forest sector.
Fred Stolle, WRI, explained that REDD readiness is a complex and practically challenging undertaking that requires comprehensive mapping, monitoring and a good understanding of the drivers of deforestation. He concluded by underscoring the importance of political will to ensure the inclusion of diverse stakeholders, and for strong accountability and governance.
Heather McGray, WRI, explained that adaptation is an iterative process that needs to remain flexible as climatic conditions continue to change. She proposed a National Adaptive Capacity Framework that helps countries to: assess capacities for performing key functions; plan for adaptation; implement plans; and reassess the progress for a new cycle. Smita Nakhooda, WRI, stated that climate change must be integrated into energy planning towards decarbonizing the power sector, and suggested that finance is critical for leveraging opportunities.
The panelists were joined by Zou Ji, WRI, and Brian Dawson, AusAID, to respond to questions from participants. Participants discussed, among other things: the social and economic effects of climate change; the Chinese model for climate resilience; technology transfer; corruption in the logging industry; and Guyana's sea defenses. |
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Olav Kjørven, UNDP, introduced the side event, which highlighted the challenges of accessing climate change funding and outlined strategies for combining and leveraging finance through both existing and new instruments. Michele de Nevers, World Bank, highlighted that public finance is insufficient to respond to climate change investment needs, saying there are promising models for leveraging funds from multiple sources, including the private sector. Veerle Vandeweerd, UNDP, noted the challenges involved in leveraging such funds, including the combination and sequencing of funds from different sources.
Kseniya Lvovsky, World Bank, outlined pilot climate financing funds and instruments, including the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience, under the Strategic Climate Fund. Sylvie Lemmet, UNEP, distinguished between types of investments needed for climate-resilient development, and explained they required varied solutions, from official development assistance and foreign direct investment, to NAMA- and NAPA-linked subsidies and grants for capacity and expertise building.
Lasse Ringius, International Finance Corporation (IFC), described how International Financial Institutions (IFIs) can help build the capacity of local FIs to enter the carbon market through knowledge and outreach, transaction support and scaled-up sectoral approaches. Angus Friday, World Bank, and Marcel Alers, UNDP, presented the “Climate Finance Options Knowledge Platform,” a joint UNDP-World Bank project currently under development. Friday explained that the Platform is a decision-support tool for multiple audiences to access information about funding sources and to share experiences from climate projects. Alers demonstrated the Platform website on-screen.
In discussions, panelists considered: the impact of the global financial crisis on climate-related investments; access to climate finance at the local level; and several issues currently under COP negotiation, including how to ensure the predictability and long-term stability of these funds and tracking and accountability mechanisms for climate finance.
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Achim Steiner, UNEP, launched a report entitled “Moving Towards a Climate Neutral UN,” explaining that the process had entailed: an assessment to establish the source of GHGs; methodologies to manage the carbon footprint; and measures put in place to remove that footprint.
Jan-Christoph Napierski, Denmark, detailed steps taken to minimize and offset emissions associated with COP 15. Noting an estimate that COP 15 would produce 40,500 tons of GHGs, he said the emissions were offset through a CDM project in Bangladesh.
Stephan Herbst, Toyota, detailed his company's investment in hybrid technology and explained that the key challenge is presented by the low-energy density of batteries relative to other types of energy.
Michael Adlerstein, Executive Director of UN Capital Master Plan, detailed the ongoing renovation of the UN headquarters building. He highlighted that the energy consumption of the renovated building would be reduced by 50%.
Edouard Dayan, Director General of the Universal Post Union (UPU), outlined the UPU's efforts to reduce its GHG emissions by reverting to more energy efficient lighting and investing in video conferencing. He outlined the future refurbishment of UPU's headquarters.
Veerle Vandeweerd, UNDP, outlined her agency's work on the UN Secretary General's initiative to ensure the UN acts as one on climate change by, among other things, producing a baseline of UNDP's operations and training staff on climate change. She concluded by stating that the UN is working hard to make their operations “climate proof.”
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The event reported on a wide range of sub-national efforts to address climate change in US states and Canadian provinces. Diane Wittenberg, CTR, and Vicky Arroyo, Georgetown Climate Center, opened the event. Stressing the importance of sub-national action, Wittenberg quoted UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo De Boer, saying sub-national governments “haven’t waited for national leadership but have been on the front lines for many years.” Arroyo added that it is critical that the voices of those who are taking action be heard.
Underscoring that many across the world are looking to the US to take leadership on climate change, Governor Christine Gregoire, Washington state, stressed that we cannot afford to fail at any level of government when it comes to protecting the planet, adding that the “US cannot and will not fail.” Noting the Obama administration has put an approximate 17% reduction by 2020 on the table, she added that she expects comprehensive climate legislation to pass in the coming months and that this will lead to strong state-level partnerships.
Premier Gordon Campbell, British Columbia, emphasized the importance of developing a low-carbon economy, and said if international-level negotiations are not successful, sub-national entities will have to do more. He highlighted his province’s target of a 33% reduction by 2020 and his province’s revenue-neutral carbon tax, stressing that governments need to give individuals the tools to make the right choices for themselves.
Highlighting that 50-80% of what will be done to reduce GHG emissions will be done at state and provincial levels, Premier Jean Charest, Quebec, said national governments must engage with their citizens and stressed the role provinces can play in this endeavour. Referencing the results from a leaders’ summit earlier in the day, he said leaders are recognizing that a new economy is emerging and stressed the importance of seizing the opportunities this presents. He highlighted various provincial-level polices in Quebec, including the first carbon tax in North America.
Noting the need for a “green energy world,” Governor James Doyle, Wisconsin, agreed with Charest on the need to seize new economic opportunities. He highlighted various measures aimed at doing so in the main pillars of his state’s economy, including in manufacturing, agriculture, and innovation and research. Doyle noted the large, potential job-creation opportunities in the alternative energy sector.
Premier Greg Selinger, Manitoba, noted the importance of hydropower in achieving emission reduction goals in Manitoba, and emphasized the involvement of first nations as “equity stakeholders” in dam projects. Noting energy efficiency plans that incorporate low-income programming that engages inner city people, he pointed to resulting social justice and energy benefits. He also highlighted a coal tax that is due to come into place in 2011 and recent increases in Boreal protected areas.
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UNFCCC resources
Side event website
Summary of events
Timetable of events
UNFCCC News
UN resources
Gateway to the UN System’s Work on Climate Change
Informal Thematic Debate of the UN General Assembly on Climate Change as a Global Challenge
IISD RS resources
IISD RS coverage of the Forest Day 3, 13 December 2009, Copenhagen, Denmark
IISD RS coverage of the Agriculture and Rural Development Day 2009, 12 December 2009, Copenhagen, Denmark
IISD RS coverage of the Development and Climate Days at COP 15, 11-14 December 2009, Copenhagen, Denmark
IISD RS coverage of the Copenhagen Business Day, 11 December 2009, Copenhagen, Denmark
IISD RS coverage of the Barcelona Climate Change Talks 2009, 2-6 November 2009, Barcelona, Spain
IISD RS coverage of Selected Side Events at the Barcelona Climate Change Talks 2009, 2-6 November 2009, Barcelona, Spain
IISD RS coverage of the UNFCCC Technical Workshop on Advancing the Integration of Approaches to Adaptation Planning, 2-14 October 2009, UN Conference Centre (UNCC), Bangkok, Thailand
IISD RS coverage of the Bangkok Climate Change Talks - 2009, 28 September - 9 October 2009, Bangkok, Thailand
IISD RS coverage of the Bonn Climate Change Talks - August 2009, 10-14 August 2009, Bonn, Germany
IISD RS coverage of the Bonn Climate Change Talks - June 2009, 1-12 June 2009, Bonn, Germany
IISD RS coverage of Selected Side Events at the Bonn Climate Change Talks - June 2009, 1-12 June 2009, Bonn, Germany
IISD RS coverage of the UNFCCC Technical Workshop on Increasing Economic Resilience to Climate Change and Reducing Reliance on Vulnerable Economic Sectors through Economic Diversification, 28-30 April 2009, Cairo, Egypt
IISD RS summary report of the Thirtieth Session of the Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change (IPCC), 21-23 April 2009, Antalya, Turkey (English: HTML - PDF) (Spanish: HTML - PDF) (Japanese: PDF)
IISD RS coverage of the Bonn Climate Change Talks - March/April 2009, 29 March - 8 April 2009, Bonn, Germany
IISD RS summary report of the UNFCCC Workshop on Integrating Practices, Tools and Systems for Climate Risk Assessment and Management and Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies into National Policies and Programmes, 10-12 March 2009, Havana, Cuba (HTML - PDF)
IISD RS coverage of the Business Day at UNFCCC COP 14, 9 December 2008, Poznań, Poland
IISD RS coverage of the Forest Day 2 at UNFCCC COP 14, 8 December 2008, Poznań, Poland
IISD RS coverage of the Development and Climate Days at COP 14, 6-7 December 2008, Poznań, Poland
IISD RS coverage of the UN Climate Change Conference - Poznań, 1-12 December 2008, Poznań, Poland
IISD RS coverage of Selected Side Events at the UN Climate Change Conference - Poznań, 1-12 December 2008, Poznań, Poland
IISD RS coverage of AWG-LCA 2, second part of the AWG-KP 5, and twenty-eighth sessions of the SBSTA and the SBI of the UNFCCC, 2-13 June 2008, Bonn, Germany
IISD RS coverage of the Development and Climate Days at COP 13, 8-9 December 2007, Bali, Indonesia
IISD RS coverage of the Forest Day at UNFCCC COP 13, 8 December 2007, Bali, Indonesia
IISD RS coverage of the UN Climate Change Conference - Bali, 3-15 December 2007, Bali, Indonesia
IISD RS coverage of Selected Side Events at the N Climate Change Conference - Bali, 3-15 December 2007, Bali, Indonesia
IISD RS coverage of the Development and Adaptation Days at COP 12, 11-12 November 2006, Nairobi, Kenya
IISD RS coverage of the UN Climate Change Conference – Nairobi 2006, 6-17 November 2006, Nairobi, Kenya
IISD RS coverage of Selected Side Events at the UN Climate Change Conference – Nairobi 2006, 6-17 November 2006, Nairobi, Kenya
IISD RS coverage of the Development and Adaptation Days at COP 11, 3-4 December
2005, Montréal, Canada
IISD RS coverage of the UNFCCC COP 11 & COP/MOP 1, 28 November to 10 December 2005, Montréal, Canada
IISD RS coverage of Selected Side Events at the NFCCC COP 11 & COP/MOP 1, 28 November to 10 December 2005, Montréal, Canada
IISD RS climate and atmosphere page
Climate-L - A mailing list for news on climate change policy
Linkages Update - Bi-weekly international environment and sustainable development news
MEA Bulletin - Newsletter on key MEAs and their secretariats
Climate Change Policy & Practice - News and information on the actions of international organizations in responding to the problem of global climate change
African Regional Coverage |
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