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COP21: Summary of negotiations on Friday, December 4

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COP21: Summary of negotiations on Friday, December 4

On Friday, 4 December, the ADP contact group considered a revised compilation text throughout the day. In the morning and afternoon, informal consultations and contact groups finalised work under the SBs, and a contact group under the COP took place. The SBI and SBSTA closing plenaries took place in the evening.

ADP Co-Chair Ahmed Djoghlaf at COP21
ADP Co-Chair Ahmed Djoghlaf at COP21

ADP CONTACT GROUP

In the morning, ADP Co-Chair Ahmed Djoghlaf invited comments on two documents, a revised draft agreement and decision text on workstreams 1 and 2, “the compilation text,” and a document containing the work of the ADP contact group incorporating bridging proposals by the co-facilitators, “the compilation text with bridging proposals,” both issued on Friday, 4 December, at 10:00am.

South Africa, for the G-77/CHINA, requested time to consult, noting the group’s surprise that the second document contained bridging proposals embedded within the compilation text. Indicating readiness to work with the texts, the EU noted that seeing bridging proposals in a textual context was helpful.

Malaysia, for the LMDCs, underscored the understanding that only the revised draft agreement was to be treated as a working document and that the Secretariat would highlight the bridging proposals in the second document. Co-Chair Djoghlaf then suspended the contact group to allow for groups to consult.

In the afternoon, parties considered the compilation text and the compilation text with bridging proposals. Co-Chair Djoghlaf proposed that parties complete a first reading of the text without spin-off groups, with the aim of creating a shorter but comprehensive document for the ministers.

South Africa, for the G-77/CHINA, supported by many parties, expressed willingness to negotiate on the basis of the compilation text with bridging proposals, and proposed that parties be allowed to insert language where necessary and meet separately to discuss specific proposals.

On purpose/general (Articles 2 and 2bis), Co-Chair Djoghlaf suggested progress was not yet possible. Several parties raised points of order, noting it was only the first reading and parties should be allowed to comment.

After comments on Articles 2 and 2bis and interventions on the mode of work, the Co-Chairs and the COP21 Presidency consulted on the way forward.

Laurence Tubiana, COP21 Presidency, highlighted that the compilation text with bridging proposals provides a “good base” and urged parties to focus on producing a text for the COP. Malaysia, for the LMDCs, proposed that parties be allowed to identify key elements of concern that, together with the compilation text with bridging proposals, would be forwarded for negotiations under the COP.

After TUVALU, the US, the EU, VENEZUELA, CUBA and COLOMBIA expressed general support for using the compilation text with bridging proposals in line with the LMDCs’ proposal, parties began indicating key elements of concern.

On mitigation (Article 3), the EU, supported by Colombia, for AILAC, Maldives, for AOSIS, and the US called for clarifying the date for the submission of contributions. NICARAGUA and BOLIVIA called for Mother Earth to be reinserted in the text.

At the end of a preambular paragraph on special needs, EL SALVADOR requested adding “and the Central American isthmus.” In a paragraph on the long-term vision for technology development and transfer (Article 7), MEXICO asked that “socially and environmentally sound technology” be reinserted.

In the evening, parties continued to identify key elements that they wished to be reflected. On mitigation (Article 3), BOLIVIA, with VENEZUELA, urged the inclusion of non-market mechanisms.

On finance (Article 6), Costa Rica, for AILAC, asked for a clear roadmap, including a short-term goal, and balance between mitigation and adaptation. She said that language on vulnerability was being coordinated within the G-77/China.

On purpose (Article 2), VENEZUELA supported “stabilisation” of GHG emissions and, with SAUDI ARABIA and PAKISTAN, opposed the inclusion of “decarbonisation” and “carbon neutrality.” KYRGYZSTAN asked to include vulnerability of mountains in the preambular section.

TUVALU urged reinsertion of language on loss and damage that preserves the issue as an independent article. CHINA, among others, called for the CMA to determine cycles after 2030.

On adaptation (Article 4), Bolivia, for the G-77/CHINA, asked to include details on a long-term vision and urged avoiding prescriptive language.

The G-77/CHINA said MRV of finance from developed countries is missing in finance (Article 6), and INDIA urged inclusion of such MRV in transparency (Article 9). The AFRICAN GROUP called exclusion of “African countries” from preambular paragraphs on specific needs “a red line.”

Adjourning the meeting, Co-Chair Djoghlaf indicated, and parties agreed, that a reflection note capturing parties’ comments would be provided alongside the compilation text with bridging proposals and that work would resume in the morning, on Saturday, 4 December.

COP 21

CONTACT GROUPS: Joint Implementation (JI): This contact group, co-chaired by Yaw Osafo (Ghana), met in the morning. The EU called for, inter alia: reviewing changes necessary to the rules of procedure of the JI Supervisory Committee (JISC); providing a mandate to the JISC for third-party review; and taking concerns of stakeholders into account.

JAPAN stressed the importance of revitalising JI. SWITZERLAND asked for an analysis on the role of JI beyond 2020, and synergies with other market mechanisms. Parties agreed that the Co-Chairs would prepare a draft decision for consideration at the next contact group meeting.

SBI CLOSING PLENARY

ORGANISATIONAL MATTERS: Election of Officers Other than the Chair: SBI Chair Amena Yauvoli (Fiji) said that consultations on the nomination of the SBI Vice-Chair had been concluded, but no nominations had been received for the SBI Rapporteur.

The SBI agreed to nominate Zhihua Chen (China) as the SBI Vice-Chair and that Sidat Yaffa (The Gambia) shall remain in office until his replacement has been elected.

Reporting From and Review of Annex I Parties to the Convention: Outcome of the First Round of the IAR Process (2014-2015): The SBI adopted conclusions (FCCC/SBI/2015/L.20).

Revision of the “Guidelines for the Preparation of National Communications by Parties Included in Annex I to the Convention Part II: UNFCCC Reporting Guidelines on National Communications”: The SBI adopted conclusions (FCCC/SBI/2015/L.23).

REPORTING FROM NON-ANNEX I PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION: Work of the Consultative Group of Experts on National Communications from Non-Annex I Parties to the Convention: The SBI adopted conclusions (FCCC/SBI/2015/L.21).

Provision of Financial and Technical Support: The SBI adopted conclusions (FCCC/SBI/2015/L.24).

MATTERS RELATED TO THE MECHANISMS UNDER THE KYOTO PROTOCOL: Review of the Modalities and Procedures for the CDM: The SBI adopted conclusions (FCCC/SBI/2015/L.28).

Review of the JI Guidelines: The SBI adopted conclusions (FCCC/SBI/2015/L.30).

Modalities for Expediting the Continued Issuance, Transfer and Acquisition of JI ERUs: The SBI adopted conclusions (FCCC/SBI/2015/L.25).

MATTERS RELATING TO LDCS: The SBI adopted conclusions (FCCC/SBI/2015/L.22).

NATIONAL ADAPTATION PLANS: The SBI adopted conclusions and forwarded a draft decision (FCCC/SBI/2015/L.32 and Add.1) for consideration and adoption by COP 21.

REPORT OF THE ADAPTATION COMMITTEE: The SBI adopted conclusions and forwarded a draft decision for consideration and adoption by COP 21 (FCCC/SB/2015/L.3).

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE WIM: The SBI adopted conclusions and forwarded a draft decision for consideration and adoption by COP 21 (FCCC/SB/2015/L.5).

DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGIES AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TECHNOLOGY MECHANISM: Joint Annual Report of the TEC and the CTCN: The SBI adopted conclusions and forwarded a draft decision for consideration and adoption by COP 21 (FCCC/SB/2015/L.4).

Poznan Strategic Programme on Technology Transfer: The SBI adopted conclusions (FCCC/SBI/2015/L.29).

CAPACITY-BUILDING: Capacity-Building Under the Convention: Several Parties expressed willingness to further engage constructively on this item under the COP. The US, AUSTRALIA and JAPAN raised concerns about the process in which the draft conclusions were reached.

SWAZILAND, supported by the GAMBIA, noted the draft text “provides a landing ground and marks the beginning of defining capacity building.”

The EU understood the need to strengthen capacity-building institutions under the Convention as “our common vision” and hoped for the establishment of a capacity-building committee as an outcome of COP 21.

Senegal, for the LDCs, with the PHILIPPINES, thanked the EU for their positive spirit that has allowed capacity building to be taken up at a higher level. BURUNDI lamented that “the text is still bracketed” and emphasized capacity building as necessary for her country to adapt to climate change impacts.

The SBI adopted conclusions and forwarded draft decision text to the COP for further consideration (FCCC/SBI/2015/L.33).

Capacity Building under the Kyoto Protocol: The SBI adopted conclusions (FCCC/SBI/2015/L.34).

IMPACT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RESPONSE MEASURES: Forum and Work Programme: The SBI adopted conclusions (FCCC/SB/2015/L.6).

Matters Relating to Protocol Article 3.14: The SBI agreed to continue consultations on this sub-item at SBI 44.

Progress on the Implementation of Decision 1/CP.10: The SBI agreed to continue consultations on this sub-item at SBI 44.

THE 2013-2015 REVIEW: SBI Chair Yauvoli reported that parties had been unable to complete work on this matter. The SBI agreed, on the basis of Decision 2/CP.17 (outcome of the work of the AWG-LCA) paragraph 166 (requesting the SBs to report on their considerations and findings to the COP), that the SBI and SBSTA Chairs seek the guidance of the COP on the matter.

Expressing extreme disappointment over the inability to complete the mandate of the review, Maldives, for AOSIS, stressed that the findings of the review underscore that the “guardrail of 2°C is wholly inadequate” and that “no outcome on the review is not an option.”

Deploring the lack of agreement on a COP decision on the matter, SWITZERLAND suggested parties were nevertheless in an “excellent position” to fulfill the mandate of the review.

Expressing disappointment that the contact group had not been able to agree on draft conclusions or “provide draft text to the COP,” the EU called on all parties to engage on the issue, noting that, for the most vulnerable countries “below 2°C is not enough.”

GENDER AND CLIMATE CHANGE: The SBI adopted conclusions (FCCC/SBI/2015/L.31).

ADMINISTRATIVE, FINANCIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL MATTERS: Budget Performance for the Biennium 2014-2015 and Audit Report and Financial Statements for 2014: On these agenda sub-items, the SBI jointly adopted conclusions and forwarded draft decisions for consideration and adoption by COP 21 and CMP 11 (FCCC/SBI/2015/L.26 and L.27).

CLOSURE AND REPORT OF THE SESSION: During closing statements, South Africa, for the G-77/CHINA, called for, inter alia: the adoption of a decision on response measures; establishment, in Paris, of the necessary institutions to enhance capacity building; and enhancement of information provided in the IAR on support to developing countries.

Sudan, for the AFRICAN GROUP, lamented insufficient time to complete consideration of some issues, while welcoming progress on others.

Maldives, for AOSIS, called for the COP Presidency to take up the issue of 1.5°C “with some urgency” so as to ensure a substantive agreement on the 2013-2015 review.

Australia, for the UMBRELLA GROUP, expressed disappointment over parties’ inability to agree on how to communicate the 2013-2015 review outcome.

Emphasising that the final report of the structured expert dialogue (SED) “sends a very clear signal that the 2°C limit is inadequate,” Angola, for the LDCs, expressed disappointment that a “handful of countries” did not engage to reach a substantive outcome on the review.

The EU highlighted progress on adaptation, the WIM, technology transfer and cooperation, and gender mainstreaming, as well as some progress on market mechanisms, with the exception of the CDM review.

CAN, for ENGOs, expressed deep concern about the failed outcome of the review. Underscoring that some delegations rely on technical assistance from NGOs, Climate Justice Now! (CJN!), for ENGOs, called on the COP 21 Presidency to ensure “a fair, just and transparent process forward.”

YOUTH NGOs (YOUNGOs) emphasised that the work of the SBI is crucial for implementation of mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage. The Secretariat informed parties of the administrative and budgetary implications of the conclusions adopted by the SBI.

SBI Rapporteur Sidat Yaffa (The Gambia) presented, and the SBI adopted, the draft report of SBI 43 (FCCC/SBI/2015/L.19). SBI Chair Yauvoli thanked all delegates for their work and noted SBI 43 accomplished much work, including the completion of the first round of IAR. SBI 43 was gaveled to a close at 9:23pm.

SBSTA CLOSING PLENARY

ORGANISATIONAL MATTERS: Election of Officers Other than the Chair: SBSTA Chair Lidia Wojtal (Poland) announced that Tibor Schaffhauser (Hungary) would serve as SBSTA Vice Chair and Aderito Santana (São Tomé and Príncipe) would serve as Rapporteur.

NAIROBI WORK PROGRAMME: The SBSTA adopted the conclusions (FCCC/SBSTA/2015/L.19).

REPORT OF THE ADAPTATION COMMITTEE: The SBSTA adopted the conclusions and forwarded a draft decision for consideration and adoption by the COP (FCCC/SB/2015/L.3).

DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGIES AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TECHNOLOGY MECHANISM: Joint Annual Report of the TEC and the CTCN: The SBSTA adopted the conclusions and forwarded a draft decision for consideration and adoption by the COP (FCCC/SB/2015/L.4).

ISSUES RELATING TO AGRICULTURE: SBSTA Chair Wojtal clarified that references to paragraphs 87 to 89 should read 83 to 89, and with this editorial amendment, the SBSTA adopted the conclusions (FCCC/SBSTA/2015/L.17).

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE WIM: The SBSTA adopted the conclusions and forwarded a draft decision for consideration and adoption by the COP (FCCC/SB/2015/L.5).

MATTERS RELATING TO SCIENCE AND REVIEW: Research and Systematic Observation: The SBSTA adopted the conclusions (FCCC/SBSTA/2015/L.18).

The 2013-2015 Review: SBSTA Chair Wojtal reported that parties were unable to reach agreement on this item and will seek the guidance of the COP.

NORWAY, the US, JAPAN and SAINT LUCIA expressed their disappointment that the contact group was unable to agree to a decision on this item.

IMPACT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RESPONSE MEASURES: Forum and Work Programme: The SBSTA adopted the conclusions and forwarded a draft decision for consideration and adoption by the COP (FCCC/SB/2015/L.6).

Matters Relating to Protocol Article 2.3: SBSTA Chair Wojtal recalled that this agenda sub-item was considered with the forum and work programme and that this would be reflected in the meeting report.

METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES UNDER THE CONVENTION: Methodologies for the Reporting of Financial Information by Annex I Parties to the Convention: The SBSTA adopted the conclusions and forwarded a draft decision for consideration and adoption by the COP (FCCC/SBSTA/2015/L.22).

Emissions from Bunker Fuels: The SBSTA adopted conclusions (FCCC/SBSTA/2015/L.16).

METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES UNDER THE KYOTO PROTOCOL: Implications of the Implementation of Decisions 2/CMP.7 to 4/CMP.7 and 1/CMP.8 on the Previous Decisions on Methodological Issues Related to the Kyoto Protocol, Including Those Relating to Articles 5, 7 and 8 of the Kyoto Protocol: The SBSTA adopted conclusions and forwarded a draft decision for consideration and adoption by the CMP (FCCC/SBSTA/2015/L.27, Add.1 and Add. 2).

Accounting, Reporting and Review Requirements for Annex I Parties without QELRCs for the Second Commitment Period:The SBSTA adopted conclusions (FCCC/SBSTA/2015/L.28).

Clarification of the Text in Section G (Article 3.7ter) of the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol: The SBSTA adopted conclusions and forwarded a draft decision for consideration and adoption by the CMP (FCCC/SBSTA/2015/L.29 and Add.1).

LULUCF under Protocol Article 3.3 and 3.4, and under the CDM: The SBSTA adopted conclusions (FCCC/SBSTA/2015/L.20).

MARKET AND NON-MARKET MECHANISMS UNDER THE CONVENTION: SBSTA Chair Wojtal reported that parties could not reach agreement on this issue for any of the sub-items: the framework for various approaches; non-market based approaches; and new market-based approaches. She said that, according to Rule 16 of the draft rules of procedure being applied, this item would be taken up at the next SBSTA session.

REPORTS ON OTHER ACTIVITIES: Annual Report on the Technical Review of GHG Inventories from Annex I Parties to the Convention: The SBSTA adopted the draft conclusions and forwarded a draft decision for consideration and adoption by the COP (FCCC/SBSTA/2015/L.21 and Add.1).

Annual Report on the Technical Review of Annex I Parties’ GHG Inventories and Other Information Reported by Annex I Parties, as Defined in Protocol Article 1.7: The SBSTA adopted conclusions and forwarded a draft decision for consideration and adoption by the CMP (FCCC/SBSTA/2015/L.30 and Add.1).

CLOSURE OF THE SESSION: SBSTA Rapporteur Stasile Znutiene (Lithuania) presented, and the SBSTA adopted, its report (FCCC/SBSTA/2015/L.15).

South Africa, for the G-77/CHINA, said that the negative implications of response measures on developing countries must be minimised. On bunker fuels, he underscored that this issue should be dealt with multilaterally.

The EU highlighted the package of decisions on methodological issues under the Kyoto Protocol as key to ending the “long preparatory work” for the implementation of the second commitment period.

Australia, for the UMBRELLA GROUP, welcomed the finalisation of rules for the second commitment period.

Maldives, for AOSIS, emphasised that outcomes of the SED include support of the 1.5 °C long-term global goal and expressed dismay that the actions of a few countries prevented the communication of these findings to the COP.

Angola, for the LDCs, emphasized the importance of discussing the review under the COP.

Sudan, for the AFRICAN GROUP, expressed concern where no progress was made due to time constraints.

SAINT LUCIA said that with the delivery of a set of rules regarding the second commitment period, parties can look forward to additional ratifications and the period’s entry into force.

YOUNGOs called for, inter alia, a globally funded feed-in tariff scheme, and avoiding land-based sequestration as the science behind this is “questionable.”

CAN, for ENGOs, underscored that ICAO and IMO are failing to address the significant impacts of aviation and shipping.

CJN!, for ENGOs, opposed the inclusion of “false solutions,” calling for an end to discussions on market-based approaches.

FARMERS urged more inclusive processes for the next agriculture workshop to allow the constituency to share their knowledge.

Thanking everyone for their efforts during this intensive and brief SBSTA session, SBSTA Chair Wojtal gaveled the meeting to a close at 10:26pm.

IN THE CORRIDORS

Friday morning opened with delegates frantically trying to “digest” the two new documents produced overnight by the ADP Co-Chairs in cooperation with the co-facilitators. Many worried about bridging proposals being incorporated into the compilation text, both for their loss of visibility and the unclear status of this new text.

Tensions ran high in the ADP contact group as the Saturday, 5 December deadline loomed for the ADP to transmit text to the COP. The mode of work for the second week thus became a hotly anticipated question. One delegate speculated that ministers would be asked to chair spin-off groups. Another wondered if ministers should be convened in a roundtable format. An optimistic participant hoped that the transparent process in week one would not be lost in week two.

Why we killed escapee lion, by Jos Park

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Why we killed escapee lion, by Jos Park

The management of the Jos Wide Life Park in Plateau State, Nigeria, has said that it invited troops to kill an escapee 43-year-old lion because it has no tranquilisers with which it could have sedated the animal. The lion had strayed away after escaping from its cage.

Officers attacking the lion
Officers attacking the lion

John Doy, General Manager of the Park, said the organisation lacked tranquilisers because it has no license to pick up the drug from drug stores.

He said: “We don’t have tranquilisers. We don’t have the licence to buy tranquilisers. We applied for licence, but we were not given. So, instead of allowing the animal to devour people, we had to invite the STF (Special Task Force) to do away with it.”

He said the Park needed to fulfil certain conditions to pick the special drug from chemical stores, one of which is a licence from the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC). But he said the agency had denied the park the document.

The lion, which was given birth to in that cage at the Jos Park was stepping out of its confinement for the first time since 1972, Doy added.

The lion escaped into the perimeters of the unfenced park along Joseph Gomwalk Way when attendants opened its cage at about past 8am on Wednesday to feed it and its mate, a lioness.

The park is tucked in-between many establishments including the Jos branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); the state High Court, and the state Police Command Headquarters and its’ barracks, as well as various offices including the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the headquarters of the Church of God in Nigeria (COCIN), and the Jos office of MTN. There are government residential areas all around the park.

It was shot dead at about past 2pm, about seven hours after it escaped from its cage, the manager said, disclosing that the animal was already showing signs of aggression at the time the troops took position around the perimeters of the park where it was sighted.

Doy said the lion attacked and killed a goat which was straying not too far off from its cage upon escaping the confinement, and was returning back to its cage, “possibly to go drink water,” when a soldier opened fire.

“The animal was actually returning to its cage after it attacked and ate up a goat not too far off from its cage. You know it was born there, so that cage has become its habitat, and it is not used to any other place. So it was actually heading back to the cage, maybe to drink water, or meet the lioness. Maybe the soldier; you know, from fear, decided to shoot at the animal we can’t say,” he said.

“But the animal was not dead at that time; it had to run away. It was at about past 2pm that it was killed,” he said.

He declined giving details including how many shots must have been fired, but he said the lion has a bullet injury on its chest.

In a reaction, Mr Ikechi Uko, a tourism communications practitioner, said: “That lion is the only lion in the once popular Jos wildlife park. The lion escaped some days ago from the badly managed park and was executed by Nigerian Police and Civil Defence operatives. Now these guys are celebrating their feat of killing a lion, but for me it’s a huge loss. I feel a connection to the dead lion. Slowly, we are officially wiping away the small tourism gains we all fought for over the years. Nigerian tourism is in reversal right now. Too bad.”

Media not connecting climate change, migration, food security, says IFAD report

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Media not connecting climate change, migration, food security, says IFAD report

Top news media are failing to identify climate change as a contributor to some of the world’s biggest crises, including migration, food insecurity and conflict, says a new research report funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and presented at the 21st UNCCD Conference of Parties (COP21) in Paris on Friday.

IFAD President, Kanayo F. Nwanze. Photo credit: accra.sites.unicnetwork.org
IFAD President, Kanayo F. Nwanze. Photo credit: accra.sites.unicnetwork.org

“The media, whether local or global, are among the world’s most influential institutions and how they shape the climate change narrative remains vitally important,” said IFAD President, Kanayo F. Nwanze, about why his organisation sponsored the research. “If the world becomes aware of how climate change threatens our food security or why it is a catalyst for migration and conflict, then we can expect better support for policies and investments that can pre-empt future crises.”

The report, “Food, Migration and Climate Change: The Untold Story,” was prepared by Sam Dubberley, a journalist and Director of Kishnish Media Ltd. The research was conducted in September and includes an analysis of eight popular and highly influential news outlets in the United Kingdom and France, including the BBC, Channel 4, TF1, The Guardian, Daily Mail, Le Monde, Libération and France 2.

Dubberley explained, “We chose to conduct our research in September so that it wouldn’t be skewed by all of the reporting we’re seeing now because of the COP21 in Paris.”

The report looks at the depth of media reporting around climate change and whether it was being linked to issues of food security, agriculture and migration and, if so, whether those stories were given prominent placement such as on front pages. It asked what power voices were heard throughout the stories and if farmers or migrants themselves were ever interviewed or quoted. And finally, it looks at what news readers understand about food and migration-related climate change impacts and their impression of media coverage provided.

“The research clearly shows that media analysed did not make the connection between climate change and many of the other stories dominating the news agenda at that time,” Dubberley said. “In fact, our research shows that climate change never once reached the front page of the news outlets we looked at.”

As an example, Dubberley pointed out that while the civil war in Syria and migration from the region dominated the headlines in September, media focus for the conflict was on regime change and not on climate change triggers including drought, unsustainable agricultural practices and poor environmental policies which pushed migrants into cities and contributed to civil unrest in the first place.

Among the reports key findings:

  • climate stories were few and far between on the front pages or main television news bulletins analysed;
  • news consumers did not believe that major media helped them understand climate change and, in particular, that a connection exists between climate change and issues such as agricultural failure, food insecurity, conflict and migration from developing countries;
  • editorial decisions made by news organisations have a direct impact on audience views and beliefs about climate change;
  • news consumers believe climate change-related impacts need to be taken more seriously by news organisations and given higher prominence;
  • those on the front lines directly impacted by climate change rarely have a voice or are mentioned in stories.

With over three-quarters of the world’s poorest people living in the rural areas of developing countries, Nwanze emphasised that, small-scale farmers are always impacted by the latest global crises – whether it be violence and conflict, the rise of extremism or climate change.  “It’s clear – if we don’t recognise the signs earlier, if we don’t make those crucial links then poverty, migration, hunger and conflict will continue to make headlines,” he said.

Last year, IFAD funded a research report that looked at how 19 large global and regional news organisations covered issues related to migration and, in particular, food security and agriculture and how it impacted on migration. It focused on two stories that made headlines over the summer of 2014 – the US/Mexico border crisis and the ongoing conflict in South Sudan, which created a large numbers of migrants. That report also found that the depth of coverage on the topics was lacking, and in particular that the voices of migrants were often left out of the stories.

Africa asked to lessen dependency on external health funding

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Africa asked to lessen dependency on external health funding

The 4th African Medicines Regulators Conference jointly organised by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), African Union and World Health Organisation (WHO) came to an end on Friday, December 4 with a call on African nations to curb their dependency on foreign funding for health. It held for three days in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

Professor Aggrey Ambali, head and advisor of NEPAD Science, Technology and Innovation Hub Photo credit: nepad.org
Professor Aggrey Ambali, head and advisor of NEPAD Science, Technology and Innovation Hub Photo credit: nepad.org

The meeting sought to discuss ways of ensuring that there is support for countries to accelerate the pace of establishing functional medicines regulatory agencies at national, regional and continental levels and strengthening the capacities of existing in the region.

Throughout the three days, it was evident that the workshop set out to create a platform to review progress made in the implementation of the five-year action plan (2014-2018).

The review process was meant to strengthen the capacity for regulation of medical products in the Region and propose solutions for tackling challenges faced by countries.

In his opening address, Professor Aggrey Ambali, head and advisor of NEPAD Science, Technology and Innovation Hub, stressed the need for Africa to reduce dependency on external funding for health considering that the continent bears 25% of the global burden of disease.

He, however, said while less than two percent of the world’s medicines are produced in the continent, importing the medicines and commodities that people desperately need is unsustainable.

“Africa must invest in itself and the health of its people. It is the right thing to do, and it will deliver real economic and social returns.

“It would be also important to fast-track reforms in regulation of medical products and technologies in the continent by scaling AMRH across the continent through regional economic communities and regional organisations,” said Prof Ambali.

He underlined the need to expand the scope of African Medicines Regulatory and Harmonisation (AMRH) to cover other regulatory functions and products.

“NMRAs involvement in the elaboration of regional and continental medicines agencies – the African Medicine Agency. NMRAs utilisation of regional centers of regulatory excellence. Advocacy for domestication of the AU Model Law on Medical Products Regulation which will assist in strengthening NMRA governance in Africa, ensure effective regulation of medical products and technologies,” he said.

While discussions are focused on regulation and establishing regulatory bodies, the issue of advocacy for sustainable NMRA financing models and how NMRAs fund their participation to African Medicines Regulators Conferences remained a critical issue.

Other topical matters that aroise during the meeting include how to establish a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to monitor progress and assess impact of medicines regulation in promoting and protecting public health and its contribution to economic growth.

“We need strong NMRAs in Africa that can attain the status of Stringent Regulatory Authorities (SRA) that we currently see in Europe and US,” said professor Ambali.

But Dr Jane Byaruhanga from the African Union alluded to the fact that Africa’s leadership remains concerned about a continued disproportionate disease burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases and its negative impact on the continent.

She noted sub optimal investments in the health care delivery system continues to hamper Africa’s progress not only in ripping the economic potential of a healthy human capital but also affected other sectors of the already fragile economies of various countries.

“The proliferation of sub-standard, spurious, falsely labelled, falsified, counterfeit medical products in our market further constitutes a public health emergency that has also severely impacted on the competitiveness of the local pharmaceutical industry,” she said.

Byaruhanga, therefore, said the forum would go a long way in facilitating and ensuring that continental frameworks and institutions established and endorsed by the African Union leadership are implemented at national, regional and continental levels.

“These frameworks include the pharmaceutical manufacturing plan within which the African Medicines Regulatory Hamornisation Programme was established and the African Medicines Agency, the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the African Union Model Law on Medical Product Regulation which was recently endorsed by the African Union Specialised Technical Committee on Legal and Justice Affairs,” she said

Initially, the framework and institutions are intended to create the enabling legal and regulatory environment for the pharmaceutical sector development, and improve access to quality essential medicines promote and protect public health of our citizens.

Meanwhile, the AU and NEPAD have teamed up on how best to harness the global momentum that has been created towards addressing the issue of counterfeit medicines and willingness to support related programme in Africa while acknowledging the effort of regional economic communities.

By George Mhango

Fresh World Bank funding for water in Africa, India

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Fresh World Bank funding for water in Africa, India

The World Bank Group has announced a significant boost in funding for water programmes Kenya, the Niger River Basin, Morocco and India to help tackle inherent challenges.

World Bank Group Vice President for Sustainable Development, Laura Tuck. Photo credit: worldbank.org
World Bank Group Vice President for Sustainable Development, Laura Tuck. Photo credit: worldbank.org

The move came as World Bank Group Vice President for Sustainable Development, Laura Tuck, warned that, in just 35 years, 40 percent of the global population will be living in water scarce countries. That’s compared to 28 percent today.

Speaking at the climate talks, COP21 in Paris, Tuck said overall water stress was increasing, because of climate change combined with population growth.

“Water scarcity and variability pose significant risks to all economic activities, including food and energy production, manufacturing and infrastructure development,” Tuck said. “Poor water management can exacerbate the effects of climate change on economic growth, but if water is managed well it can go a long way to neutralizing the negative impacts.”

A key initiative announced by the Bank Group on Friday was a $500 million investment to support India’s $1 billion programme to improve management of its groundwater. India is the world’s largest consumer of groundwater. The funding, subject to approval from the Bank’s board of Executive Directors, will help with institutional reforms, build up capacity and develop infrastructure.

“Water is so fundamental to life and to economic development, and it’s vital we tackle these issues particularly in the developing world, where water stress is already exacting a price on people and economies,” said Junaid Ahmad, Senior Director for Water, World Bank Group.

In Mombasa, the coastal region of Kenya, water demands largely exceed supply, with climate variability, droughts and floods taking its toll on poor people. The World Bank Group is funding a significant portion of the cost of a $500 million government program to boost water security and build climate resilience.

In the Niger Basin, nine countries have committed to a $3.1 billion climate resilience investment plan over 10 years to build resilience. The first phase will cost $610 million and will include financing from the Bank’s fund for the poorest countries, IDA, the International Development Association.

In Morocco, which is susceptible to drought, the World Bank Group is supporting the government’s National Irrigation Saving Program, with a new $150 million commitment, which builds on $500 million of prior commitments. It will help poor and vulnerable farmers with more efficient irrigation technologies so they can cope with increasingly less available water and greater variability in water supplies.

Diana Omondi Makimario

Africa raises red flag on possible Paris outcome

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Africa raises red flag on possible Paris outcome

Leading members of the African Group of Negotiators and civil society leaders at the ongoing Paris climate talks have expressed their dissatisfaction with the pace of the negotiations so far.

Prof Seth Osafo, Lead Negotiator with African Group of Negotiators (AGN). Photo credit: climatereporters.com
Prof Seth Osafo, Lead Negotiator with African Group of Negotiators (AGN). Photo credit: climatereporters.com

At an event on the sidelines of the UNFCCC COP 21 in Paris under the theme “Paris Outcome and Africa’s Adaptation Need,” Prof Seth Osafo, Lead Negotiator with African Group of Negotiators (AGN), linked current hurdles with efforts to get countries that were not parties to the Kyoto Protocol to commit to a new agreement.

He ruled out the possibility of creating new legal instruments such as a framework or an amendment and underscored that Parties in Paris are talking only about an agreement, and according to him, “an agreement might contain anything, or nothing at all.”

“While the principles of historical responsibility, common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) and equity are in fact already accepted in the convention, the issue of differentiation as contained in Article 3 of the UNFCCC is still being pushed aside,” he added.

Wondering why the 50-page text is filled with so many brackets and options that   are likely ungrammatical,” Mithika Mwenda of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) expressed African civil society’s doubt on the possibility of getting a legally binding climate agreement out of Paris with less than 10 days to negotiate.

“This COP can still regain African confidence if the systematic roadblocks mounted by the US and Norway are effectively removed this week so we can progress towards an equitable, ambitious agreement that addresses Africa’s concerns,” Mithika said.

Tosi Mpanu-Mpanu, former Chair, AGN
Tosi Mpanu-Mpanu, former Chair, AGN

Tosi Mpanu-Mpanu, former Chair, AGN, said the issue of differentiation is a red line for the AGN. According to science, developed countries hold historical responsibility for climate change.

Referring to the Kyoto Protocol, he said that “Annex II countries owe a “climate debt” to developing countries and there is an urgent need for clarity about the climate finance landscape post-2020 and that the proposed US$100 billion of climate finance which is merely a floor for financing.

Expressing the solidarity of Asian civil society groups with Africa, Lidy Nacpil, Regional Coordinator, Jubilee South, commended Africa’s leadership so far and revealed that many in Asia are relying on AGN leadership at the UNFCCC.

She however lamented that “wealthy, industrialised countries’ negotiating strategy of “weakening developing countries by dividing them must be stopped.”

Developing countries have the moral authority, she said, to “call rich governments to account for delivering pledges that are not even half of their fair share.”

Quoting the report “A CSO Equity Review of INDCs,” Nacpil urged negotiators to insist on a scaling up of financing targets and not call it “assistance as industrialized countries are backtracking on their commitments.”

By Atayi Babs

Paris pledges €1 million to Green Climate Fund

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Paris pledges €1 million to Green Climate Fund

The Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, on Thursday announced a pledge of EUR 1 million ($1.05 million) to the Green Climate Fund. The pledge was announced during a meeting between Mayor Hidalgo and Héla Cheikhrouhou, the Fund’s Executive Director, at the Paris Hôtel de Ville (City Hall). Paris is currently hosting the UNFCCC climate conference (COP 21).

Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo. Photo credit: tempsreel.nouvelobs.com
Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo. Photo credit: tempsreel.nouvelobs.com

Over 40 countries have pledged contributions to the Fund, which commenced its initial resource mobilisation in 2014 and has so far raised about $10 billion equivalent, of which close to 60% has already been converted into signed agreements.

Ms. Cheikhrouhou welcomed the pledge, stating that “it is a very strong signal that can be emulated by other cities and regions.” Mayor Hidalgo’s leadership, continued Ms. Cheikhrouhou, “could have a ripple effect” in encouraging other cities and regions to support the Fund.

Urging other cities to follow suit in pledging to the Fund, Mayor Hidalgo stressed the need for climate action at both the local and global levels.

“Fighting against damaging climate change means putting in place ambitious domestic policies, but also providing the financial means to the most vulnerable countries so that they can protect their populations,” stated Mayor Hidalgo.

During the meeting with the Fund, Mayor Hidalgo explained that Paris was already active in North-South cooperation with other cities, including in Tunis, Kinshasa, and Brazzaville. Paris has a particular interest in developing the resilience of cities to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change.

Ms. Cheikhrouhou recalled that supporting sustainable cities is an investment priority for the Fund, both to improve their resilience and reduce their emissions.

The Fund approved its first eight projects at its Board meeting in Zambia last month, for a total GCF investment of $168 million.

GCF will build its investment profile over the coming years and is seeking ambitious projects from developing countries that will catalyse the transition to low-emission, climate-resilient development.

The Fund remains open for contributions during its first funding period (2015-2018), and accepts them on an ongoing basis.

Nations, groups launch construction alliance to curb climate change

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Nations, groups launch construction alliance to curb climate change

Eighteen countries (Austria, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Norway, Senegal, Singapore, Sweden, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States of America) and over 60 organisations on Thursday at the UN climate conference (COP21) in Paris launched an unprecedented Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction to speed up and scale up the sector’s huge potential to reduce its emissions and literally build greater climate resilience into future cities and infrastructure.

Group photograph of world leaders at the conference. Photo credit: AFP
Group photograph of world leaders at the conference. Photo credit: AFP

The Alliance, with membership from countries to cities, NGOs, public and private organisations, networks of professionals, of cities, of companies as well as financing institutions, announced the initiative at the Lima to Paris Action Agenda Focus on Buildings, in Paris.

Among other members, the International Union of Architects (UIA) now represents, through national architecture organisations, close to 1,3 million architects worldwide; the World Green Building Council (WGBC) represents 27000 companies involved in green buildings business worldwide; the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) represents 180,000 building surveyors globally; the European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC) represents the construction sector employers through 33 national federations in 29 countries.

The buildings and construction sector is responsible for 30% of global CO2 emissions but it also has the potential to avoid about 3.2GtCO2 by 2050 through mainstreaming today’s available state-of-the-art policies and technologies. Reducing energy demand in the building sector is one of the most cost-effective strategies for achieving significant greenhouse gas reductions.

Real estate represents about 50% of global wealth. Creating this transformation requires investing around an additional US$220 billion by 2020 – an almost 50% increase on 2014 investment in energy efficient buildings – but less than 4% of the current total global annual investment in construction activity ($8.5 trillion/yr). Returns on this investment could be as high as 124% if investments in ambitious policy and technology actions are being made now.

As at today, 91 countries have included elements of commitments, national programs, or projects and plans relating to buildings in their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), the declarations by countries of what they are prepared to commit to.

With support and greater awareness, many more may realize the potential for the building sector to contribute to realizing national targets.  Yet, the building sector is very local and needs to align many different actors, which is a primary objective of the new alliance.

As cities keep on growing until more than 70% of the global population will call urban areas home, it becomes crucial for the sector to reduce its emissions and literally build in greater resilience against climate change.

Firm unveils CityInSight energy, emissions model for cities

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Firm unveils CityInSight energy, emissions model for cities

Canadian climate change and urban planning consultancy Sustainability Solutions Group (SSG) on Wednesday launched CityInSight: an open source energy, emissions and finances model for cities, at the COP21 in Paris.

Cities“Cities are demonstrating the will to take on energy and emissions challenges. CityInSight enables cities to rigorously explore the impact of policies and investments on the transition to a low or zero carbon future,” said Yuill Herbert, Director at SSG.

CityInSight is a sophisticated model with integrated spatially-explicit land-use and transportation components, and stocks-and-flows accounting. It analyses the impact of land-use and policy scenarios on energy, emissions and their associated financial and employment metrics.

It incorporates the Global GHG Protocol for Cities, a GHG accounting framework launched as the new global standard by the World Resources Institute, ICLEI, C40, UN Habitat and others at the UN Conference of the Parties in Lima in 2014. CityInSight has a web interface and many applications, helping cities to determine the best plans and actions to take on the path to sustainable, low carbon communities.

Along with their partner, whatif Technologies, an international urban and energy modeling company, SSG is thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase their work at COP21.

“It finally gives cities a sophisticated and reliable way of making energy and emissions based land use decisions,” says Jeremy Murphy, SSG Director, “enabling cities to develop sustainably, manage their energy use and emissions outputs, and create defensible economic development plans”.

“The power it has to bring knowledge about what’s going on for a city in interactive, visually-rich ways is impressive,” added SSG Director Julia Meyer-MacLeod.

Marcus Williams, modelling analyst at whatif Technologies, is excited about the launch of the model too. “I’m very excited about the launch of CityInSight. It offers cities and regions a unique scenarios-based platform for designing their future with respect to urban form, mobility, water, waste, energy and GHGs. Developing the web dashboard has been especially rewarding because we’re now able to surface key learnings from the underlying data-rich model through accessible (and beautiful) visualisations.”

Cities around the world are increasingly embracing ambitious energy and emissions reduction strategies. The transition to a low carbon and renewable energy future requires ambitious new city policies and major infrastructure investment decisions. The holistic and rigorous approach this model provides is needed to justify these efforts.

G77 sheds light on climate agreement’s financial arrangements

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G77 sheds light on climate agreement’s financial arrangements

South Africa’s Ambassador Nozipho Mxakato-Diseko, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China (to which Nigeria is aligned with), said on Wednesday in Paris at the ongoing COP21 UN climate change summit during the Open-Ended Consultation on Finance Process that the financial mechanism of the Convention must serve as the financial mechanism of the legal agreement

Ambassador Nozipho Mxakato-Diseko of South Africa. Photo credit: salo.org.za
Ambassador Nozipho Mxakato-Diseko of South Africa. Photo credit: salo.org.za

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. We thank the COP Presidency for acting on our request to create an opportunity to have an informal discussion on finance as an issue that cuts across different streams of work in these negotiations. The G77 and China stresses that nothing under the UNFCCC can be achieved without the provision of means of implementation to enable developing countries to play their part to address climate change.

However, clarity on the complete picture of the financial arrangements for the enhanced implementation of the Convention keeps on eluding us. We believe that it will help the process if all matters related to finance, whether it is under the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and under the ADP can be discussed in a comprehensive and coherent manner, regardless of where they will be reflected in the end, whether in the decision or the agreement.

As the G77 and China, we hope that by elevating the importance of the finance discussions under the different bodies, we can ensure that the outcome meets Parties’ expectations and delivers what is required. We hope, in particular that we can build greater coherence in the negotiations across the different streams dealing with finance.

The Group welcomes the most recent pledges to the Least Developing Country Fund (LDCF), which has remained under-resourced for a long time, despite repeated calls for contributions. Equally, adequate resources for the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) are urgently required. However, we caution against a piecemeal approach with regard to climate finance and once-off announcements. It is now time for all developed country Parties to convert their pledges to the GCF into contribution agreements, as well as scaling up commitments in the ADP process. We also need to find a solution for the Adaptation Fund, as well as the issue of its resourcing in the Paris agreement.

Under the Convention, developed countries are obliged to provide financial resources, including technology transfer and capacity building to all developing countries. This is a legal obligation under the Convention. It is neither “aid” nor “charity”, nor is it the same as development assistance. Finance support from developed countries relates to the impacts of historical emissions, which will only get worse with time for developing countries. The Group is therefore concerned about the introduction of new language, which has no basis in the Convention, such as “Parties in a position to do so” and “dynamism” that do not take into account responsibility for historical emissions.

The G77 and China is deeply concerned with the attempts to introduce economic conditions in the finance section currently under negotiation here in Paris. This approach is not consistent with the Convention, the mandate of the ADP and the sovereignty of Parties. Any attempt to replace the core obligation of developed countries to provide financial support to developing countries with a number of arbitrarily identified economic conditions is a violation of the rules-based multilateral process and threatens an outcome here in Paris. We should not shift the focus of this meeting away from arresting dangerous climate change and addressing the immediate and urgent need for adaptation and loss and damage.

As developing countries, we find ourselves confronted with a simplistic narrative that suggests that “the world has changed since the UNFCCC was adopted in 1992” due to the dramatic economic development gains of some of our members and hence that it is time to expand the pool of so-called “donors” of climate “aid” and to narrow the list of those eligible to receive this “support” to only the “poorest of the poor”. This narrative serves narrow national interests of developed countries and says little about reality. If the world has really changed so much, we ask why it is that after all these decades all our members remain developing countries with little or no voice in global decision-making processes and institutions?

Despite not having a finance obligation under the Convention, developing countries are already making significant contributions towards the global effort through the implementation of climate actions. It is therefore necessary that the the new agreement provides for the recognition of the social, economic and environmental value of actions financed voluntarily by developing country Parties, including on adaptation, and their co-benefits to health and sustainable development.

Differentiation is therefore not just a finance issue, but about the overall Paris outcome. The specific outcomes on finance must also not impose on our sovereignty and should not override or displace the zero poverty goals.

In particular, the Paris outcome must provide clarity on the level of financial support that will be provided by developed country Parties to developing country Parties to allow for enhanced implementation of the Convention in the post 2020 period.

A substantial scaling up of finance from the 2020 base level of US$100 billion per year is required. In this regard, developed country Parties, and other developed countries included in Annex II, have the main responsibility to provide finance that is new, additional, predictable and sustainable and with an balanced allocation between adaptation and mitigation.

The financial mechanism of the Convention must serve as the financial mechanism of the legal agreement. The related funds established under the Kyoto Protocol and under the financial mechanism of the Convention must also serve as instruments of the legal agreement.

On long-term finance, we need a decision that flows of finance, particularly for adaptation, under the financial mechanism of the Convention and the specialised funds, should increase, particularly in the context of increasing climate risks facing developing countries. The decision in Paris must lay the foundations for the Long-Term Finance Ministerial session on the agreed thematic cluster of issues to be held at COP22 in Morocco.

Furthermore, in the work on transparency, it is important that agreement is reached on transparency of support urgently for both the pre-2020 and post-2020 periods.

The fact that finance for climate change is discussed in a fragmented way across the bodies of the Convention, does not allow us to get a sense of the climate finance landscape. Our sense is that we are repeating this practice in determining what needs to be done now and beyond 2020, without the complete picture. This cannot be best way to address this most crucial aspect of the fight against climate change.

The crucial linkages between the provision of financial resource, technology transfer and capacity-building support have not been addressed in an integrated way in the UNFCCC system. This approach in the real world does not make any sense. It cannot continue if we are serious about addressing climate change. We need to have a coherent and comprehensive approach on means of implementation which includes the provision of finance, technology transfer and capacity-building. We therefore need a process that would enable us to agree on such a comprehensive approach. We also need to understand how institutional arrangements created for delivery of means of implementation are linked to ensure a coherent policy approach to the provision of support.

The Group believes that this informal consultation today should be the start of a new phase where Parties to the UNFCCC can discuss the provision of finance support in its broadest sense in a coherent and comprehensive manner that responds to the actual needs of developing countries to implement actions that are required to address climate change. We look forward to a fruitful and constructive discussion.

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