The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has called on the Senate not to deny Nigerians of their universally recognised right to freedom of expression.
Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki
In a statement in Lagos on Sunday by its Publicity Secretary, Olumide Iyanda, the Guild said the draft bill to “Prohibit Frivolous Petitions and Other Matters Connected Therewith,” which passed Second Reading in the Senate last week, poses a threat to the freedom of expression and obligation of the media as enshrined the Nigerian Constitution.
It noted that the bill proposes up to two years in prison or a fine of N2 million or both for anyone who posts an “abusive statement” via text message, Twitter, WhatsApp, or any other form of social media.
The bill also proposes varying penalties for false publications by print, radio and TV outlets.
GOCOP said on the proposed bill: “We wish to call the attention of the Senate to the UN Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
“Nigeria is also a signatory to other international statutes like the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Convention against Corruption, among others.”
The Guild expressed concern that given the inadequate media and internet penetration in the country, the Senate will lend itself to any move to discourage further growth.
It said: “As other countries adopt more generous and dynamic approach to the protection of free speech to allow citizens access to information without fear of intimidation, the National Assembly should not shackle the very media for which our present democracy owes it survival.
“Having benefitted from a vibrant media, it is worrisome that the lawmakers have turned around to debate a law which seeks to punish users of online media platforms.”
GOCOP, therefore, called on the lawmakers to desist from any action that will create fear among media practitioners, online activists and whistleblowers who may become likely targets if the bill becomes law.
“While we continuously campaign for responsible, objective and transparent practice among media practitioners and social media users across platforms, members of the Senate should not restrain access to information to protect politicians and other high ranking individuals who do not want to be held accountable for their actions,” GOCOP said.
More finance, capacity building for communities and institutions and use of technology are vital to making Africa adapt to climate change.
Alex Rugamba, AfDB’s Director of Energy, Environment and Climate Change. Photo credit: www.usaid.gov
Speakers during a side event at the ongoing COP21 conference in Paris on “Climate Change Adaptation funding in Africa: Experience from the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) and African Development Bank (AfDB)” have expressed the need for more money for adaptation and resilience building since Africa bears the brunt of climate change.
The discussion which took place at the Africa Pavilion at the global summit and moderated by AfDB’s Alex Rugamba focused on adaptation financing needs for Africa and innovative approaches to adaptation for the continent.
It also focused on building community resilience in a rural to urban development set-up and the role of adaptation using a green economy model.
“Africa bears a disproportionate burden of the adverse impacts of climate change. Adaptation is therefore of immediate concern to Africa. It is therefore incomprehensible that of the issues that are so keenly important to the continent would receive such little global attention. OECD has noted that currently, only about 14 per cent of the resources mobilised for climate change is allocated to adaptation,” noted Mr Rugamba, AfDB’s Director of Energy, Environment and Climate Change.
He added, “It is also on record that only about 4% of ends up in Africa. To quote my President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, ‘Africa has been short-changed by climate change. It must not be short-changed by climate finance’.”
The director noted that AfDB has done its part in financing adaption $2.3 billion over the last four years and lauded donors who have channeled finance through the AfDB and Climate Funds hosted by the multilateral development banks including AfDB.
“I thank African leadership through Committee of African Heads of State on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) and African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) for stressing the urgency of adaptation in Africa. The African Group of Negotiators stands with the Group of 77 and China in calling for the new agreement to include provisions for support to enhance adaptation action and implement approaches to address loss and damage that is not avoided through adaptation,” Mr Rugamba said.
David Chama KALUBA of Zambia’s Ministry of Finance and a Green Climate Fund (GCF) board member stressed the need for investing in people.
“We need to invest in people so that they are able to access risks and be able to determine whether the projects should focus on floods or drought management or be invested in economic projects. This way, funds will not go to waste,” Mr Kaluba said.
He added, “We should empower rural communities with the right technological tools to invest in agriculture for enhanced food security and seek for alternative sources of livelihoods other than planting main crops like maize which is vulnerable to climatic changes.”
Fishani Gondwe, Global Environment Facility (GEF) council member for Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe, urged African governments to develop rural areas with a view to facilitating the movement of people and their products in order to access markets.
“We need to develop infrastructure like roads with good drainage systems to tackle floods, promote tourism and save lives,” Mr Gondwe said.
Gustavo Fonseca, Director of Programmes, GEF Secretariat, said GEF is helping countries plan on how they use the money they get from the institution.
We have already disbursed $1.6 billion dollars and 30 per cent of the money goes to adaptation. We are targeting to achieve 50:50 ratio for adaptation and mitigation,” Mr Fonseca said.
He revealed that donors have pledged $248 million and expressed hope that this will help bridge the gap in adaptation financing.
He also thanked the French government for pledging to give 25 million Euros to GEF.
Tao WANG, Director of Mitigation and Adaptation at GCF, noted that the institution had mobilised $10.2 billion and have embarked on projects meant to combat effects of climate change.
“We have accredited 20 national, regional and international entities to help us get this money to the beneficiaries that include LDCs, small island nations and Africa. We want to interact more with credit entities, contributing and implementing countries to make our projects a success,” Mr Wang said.
Ingrid Levavasseur from the Directorate General Treasury of France said France is working with adaptation projects should involve communities and the environment and link them to national action plans if Africa is to move towards green economies.
All the speakers expressed the need for more money to Africa for adaptation, pointing out that the $100 billion already pledged for adaptation and any other funds should be given to Africa.
They opposed the idea of 50:50 ration, noting that Africa bears the brunt of climate change yet they contribute less than 4 per cent and that if the continent experiences more than 3 degrees centigrade, more than $10 billion will be required yearly for adaptation.
African Ministers for Environment (AMCEN) held a high-level meeting at the Africa Pavilion at the on-going climate change conference in Paris, France.
Nigeria’s Environment Minister, Mrs Amina Mihammed, with President Muhammadu Buhari at COP21 in Paris, France
The ministers from Africa’s 54 nations were briefed on the status of the 21st Session of the Conference of Parties (COP21) and key points which they should focus on in the penultimate session of the discussions.
Speaking to the ministers, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon stressed that Africa is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Much of its economy depends on a climate-sensitive natural resource base, including rain-fed subsistence agriculture, he said.
“In July, we adopted the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development. At the historic gathering in New York in September, we adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” Mr Ki-moon stated.
He added, “Now, here in Paris, governments have the opportunity to secure a global climate change agreement that can pave the way towards a safer, healthier, more prosperous and sustainable future.”
The UN scribe noted that climate change may be just one of the 17 SDGs, but without addressing it properly, all remaining 16 goals cannot be fully implemented.
“Africa has a great opportunity for adaptation and mitigation. Africa has launched the African Adaptation Initiative and the African Renewable Energy Initiative. These two initiatives clearly demonstrate Africa’s leadership by example,” Mr Ki-moon said.
He added, “Through cooperative action, countries and regions can accelerate the transformation to low-emissions climate-resilient economies that meet the development needs of citizens in a sustainable manner.”
The COP21 agreement is scheduled to be signed on Friday. The African Group of Negotiators (AGN) led by its lead negotiator Xolisa Ngwadla from South Africa has identified five priority areas which need political backing for a fruitful outcome.
The key political and cross-cutting issues include adaptation, ambition, differentiation, flexibility for Africa and finance.
The AGN team also pointed out that the Paris agreement should be in the form of a protocol or another legal instrument with legally binding form as a matter of international law.
“The legal instrument should encompass all issues in a balanced manner with progression above the existing obligations of the Convention on mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage, finance, technology, capacity and transparency,” said Selam Kidane of AGN.
Ngwadla echoed her sentiments. “We should take the first step towards achieving material parity between mitigation and adaptation. Parity for adaptation should be operationalised in the 2015 agreement through a definition of the global goal for adaptation (GGA).”.
He is of the view that the Paris agreement must deliver ambition that keeps Africa safe, by referring to and demonstrating feasibility of keeping global temperature increases below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
“The Convention provides for all countries to act, outlines further obligations for developed and rich developed countries to take the lead in emission reductions and providing support to developing countries respectively and includes specific provisions for countries with specific needs such as Africa, least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing states. This should be achieved,” Ngwadla stressed.
He cautioned ministers to realise that Africa has above global temperature increases, deep development challenges and chronic poverty and can’t be expected to divert resources away from development or be excluded as a block from receiving climate finance.
“The Paris agreement should address transparency and adequacy of the financial support by developed countries based on analysis of the funding gap. Rich countries should continue to provide support to developing countries based on clearly defined obligations. We need to double the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and triple it by 2020,” said Seyni Safo, the AGN’s spokesman.
Dr Khaled Fahmy, Minister of Environment of Egypt, and President of the AMCEN, called for a united African voice so that Africa wins as a continent.
“Statistics paint a bleak future for Africa. The sea level has risen. People and animals are dying. The stakes are high for us. We need a coherent voice to get solutions to these problems,” Mr Fahmy said.
Patience Tumusiime of the African Union Commission (AUC) noted that in the coming few years, 200 million Africans will be exposed to water scarcity calling for a political backing to solve the problem.
Kenya’s Environment Minister Prof Judi Wakhungu said ministers are determined to find a lasting solution to the effects of climate change
“Agriculture yields are projected to reduce by 50 per cent. This will lead to malnutrition and deaths due to malaria in East and South Africa. We need to come up with solutions to climate change,” she said.
Dr Fatima Denton, Director, Special Initiatives Director, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), called for international support.
“Let us implement sustainable development programmes to save our continent. We are leading the way as a continent and our partners should support us financially because we know that Africa’s global emission percentage is negligible,” Ms Denton said.
A number of climate funding announcements by developed country governments, multilateral development banks and multilateral climate funds have been made in the run-up to and at the COP21 UN climate change conference holding in Paris, France.
UNFCCC, Executive Secretary, Christiana Figueres
The secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has compiled the list below from public sources. The UNFCCC added that the compilation was made at the request of the French Presidency of COP21.
Announcements by Developed Country Parties
Austria will strive to provide at least EUR half a billion in climate finance between 2015 and 2020, in addition to the current Austrian pledge to the GCF.
Belgium announced at the Leaders Event a commitment to provide EUR 50 million annually until 2020, and recalled its EUR 51.6 million contribution to the Green Climate Fund.
Canada will provide CAD 2.65 billion over the next five years in international climate finance to support a transition to low-carbon economies that are both sustainable and more resilient.
The Czech Republic recalls its announcement to contribute approximately USD 5.3 million to the GCF for the initial replenishment period and additional approximately USD 2 million for the climate finance readiness activities.
Denmark announced that it would commit DKK 270 million (approximately USD 38 million) in earmarked climate finance in 2016, including DKK 156 million to the Least Developed Countries Fund (approximately USD 22 million) (subject to parliamentary approval).
Estonia has announced its intention to provide EUR 6 million between 2015 and 2020 for climate finance; from that EUR 1 million has already been pledged to the Green Climate Fund.
European Commission announced its intention to more than double climate finance grants from the EU budget up to 2020, reaching EUR 2 billion per year on average.
Finland intends to provide over EUR half a billion in new investment funding for developing countries over the next four years, a substantial part of which will contribute to climate finance.
France announced that it would, by 2020, (i) increase annual climate finance from current EUR 3 billion level to more than EUR 5 billion; and (ii) within this target, triple its annual adaptation finance to reach 1bn EUR by 2020.
Germany recalled that it aimed at doubling its international climate finance by 2020 compared to 2014.
Iceland will strive to provide around USD 10 million annually to climate related development efforts. Focus will be placed on geothermal development, sustainable land and ocean management, as well as gender equality in climate action.
Ireland will continue public funding ensuring EUR 175 million in climate finance over the period 2016 to 2020 mainly for adaptation and will increase our contribution to the Least Developed Countries Fund. Furthermore, Ireland will commence contributions to the GCF in 2016, and is exploring avenues for mobilizing private climate finance.
Italy announced that it will increase its support for international climate finance reaching at least USD 4 billion between 2015-2020.
Japan announced that it would provide, in 2020, Yen 1.3 trillion of public and private climate finance, 1.3 times up from the current level, to developing countries.
Lithuania will continue to finance the implementation of official development cooperation projects by mobilizing additional private sector investments for transfer of the Lithuanian renewable energy and other technologies and pledge EUR 100 000 to Green Climate Fund in 2015.
Luxembourg reiterated that its climate finance contribution would reach the cumulative amount of EUR 365 million over the 2014-2020 period, which would include EUR 245 million of climate-related ODA and an additional EUR 120 million for international climate finance.
The Netherlands reiterated that it will increase its climate finance to EUR 440 million in 2015 and another 20 per cent in 2016 to EUR 550 million.
New Zealand announced it will provide up to NZD 200 million for climate-related support over the next four years, the majority of which will benefit Pacific nations. This builds on the NZD 65 million New Zealand has already spent over the last three years to help Pacific Nations secure reliable and clean energy.
Norway has announced its intent to maintain its finance for REDD+ on at least today’s levels until 2020, which amounts to approximately USD 400 million per year. Norway intends to remain a major contributor of climate finance in the years to come.
Poland has announced its intention to provide USD 8 million until 2020 for climate finance, including for Green Climate Fund.
Slovenia announced its intention to increase its climate finance support by 50 per cent in 2016 compared to previous levels and will strive to maintain this level until 2020.
Sweden announced its intention to nearly double multilateral climate support in 2016 compared to 2015.
Spain announced it aims at doubling its international climate finance by 2020 compared to 2014, by mobilizing an amount of EUR 900 million by 2020.
The United Kingdom recalled that it would increase support for international climate finance by at least 50 per cent, providing at least GBP 5.8 billion between 2016-2021, aiming to spend half on adaptation.
Announcements by Multilateral Development Banks
The African Development Bank announced that it would triple its climate financing to reach nearly USD 5 billion annually by 2020.
The Asian Development Bank announced that it would more than double its annual climate financing, up to USD 6 billion by 2020. USD 4 billion will be for mitigation, USD 2 billion for adaptation.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development indicated that it would increase the share of environment/climate financing from 25-40 percent of annual commitments by 2020; this will provide USD 20 billion over the next five years, versus USD 20 billion over the last ten years.
The European Investment Bank will finance USD 20 billion a year globally for the next five years under its recently announced climate strategy commitments, a total of USD 100 billion, equal to at least 25 percent of its overall lending for the period. In order to strengthen the impact of EIB’s financing, notably in developing countries, the EIB aims to increase its lending for climate action in those countries to 35 percent of total lending by 2020.
The Inter-American Development Bank announced its aim to double the volume of its climate finance by 2020, provided support of its Governors, this would mean increasing from an average of 14 percent of annual commitments over the last three years to 25-30 percent average commitment by 2020.
The World Bank Group, provided support of its Governors, pledged a one-third increase in climate financing, from 21-28 percent of annual commitments by 2020. If financial capacity were maintained at today’s level in real terms, this means reaching USD 16 billion a year in public finance. The Bank Group intends to continue leveraging its current levels of co-financing for climate-related projects, which could mean up to an additional USD 13 billion a year in 2020. The direct financing and leveraged co-financing together represent an estimated USD 29 billion.
Multilateral Climate Funds
Developed countries announced pledges totaling USD 10.1 billion during the initial resource mobilization of the Green Climate Fund.
A group of 11 countries announced contributions totaling USD 248 million to the Least Developed Countries Fund, hosted by the Global Environment Facility.
According to UNFCCC officials, the secretariat has captured as many anouncements as possible but does not make any claim that it is exhaustive and announcements will be added as they are identified and announced.
UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has expressed optimism that the ongoing climate change summit in Paris will produce a universal and binding agreement.
UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon at COP21. Photo credit: ibtimes.co.uk
He made the disclosure on Sunday (December 6, 2015) while speaking to media executives during a visit to the research vessel, Tara.
According to him, there was a strong commitment demonstrated by the over 150 world leaders, including President Hollande of France, at the conference last week.
“I am optimistic and confident that we will have a universal and ambitious agreement,” he disclosed when asked how he felt the conference would end. “I sincerely hope that our world leaders, our negotiators, our ministers will adopt a strong, ambitious, universal climate change agreement. There is no time to lose.”
He added: “I am urging member states to look beyond their national boundaries. Climate change does not respect national boundaries. It impacts all throughout the world and, therefore, we have to have a global vision, global solidarity. The sea level is rising. Global temperatures are warming. This year, 2015, is the warmest year in human history. Therefore, there is not time to lose. We need to take action now. The time for action is now.”
According to him, for 10 years, Tara has sailed the oceans, monitoring the marine changes in the ocean, particularly degradation of marine environment.
“They (the vessel and crew member scientists) have been measuring and providing data to our scientific community so that we can better address climate change. It is important that we must preserve our oceans healthy so that we can have a healthy and prosperous planet. Our planet is 70% oceans. It is the basis of our life,” Ban Ki-moon added.
According to Vatican Radio, Pope Francis on Sunday (December 6, 2015) morning prayed for the success of the ongoing UN climate summit in Paris (COP21). Speaking to crowds in St Peter’s Square, he said he is following the talks closely.
Pope Francis. Photo credit: dailytimes.com.ng
He added he was reminded of a question he asked in his recent encyclical, this morning saying: “What kind of world do we want to pass on to those who come after us, to the children who are growing up?
“For the sake of the common home we share and for future generations, every effort should be made in Paris to mitigate the impact of climate change and, at the same time, to tackle poverty and to let human dignity flourish.”
According to Vatican Radio, the Pope added: “Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will enlighten all who are called to take such important decisions and give them the courage to do what is best (for the) greater good of the whole human family.”
Reacting to the Pope’s intervention, Martin Kaiser of Greenpeace said: “The Pope’s words are very welcome indeed. He brings a powerful moral weight to this issue, and his intervention will be felt in the halls of the conference centre. As we move into the crucial final week, the Paris summit needs all the help it can get.
“The Pope has previously said we need to phase-out fossil fuels, but if we’re going to achieve that by 2050, as the science says we must, then any deal in Paris needs to explicitly state it. This conference is finely balanced, there’s no guarantee we’ll get a decent agreement, and the opponents of progress will be plotting how to crash the talks. It would be nice to think that the Pope’s words will give some of them pause for thought.”
First-ever pledge by sub-national government to GEF climate fund boosts total new financing for LDCF to over $US 252 million
Premier of Québec, Philippe Couillard. Photo credit: cbc.ca
The Premier of Québec, Philippe Couillard, announced on Saturday in Paris a contribution of $CAD 6 million to the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), the GEF-hosted climate fund for the most vulnerable countries. The commitment, made at the Paris COP21 climate talks, is the first-ever by a sub-national government, and brings total new financing to the LDCF to more than $US 252 million.
Thanking Québec for its generous support to the LDCF, Naoko Ishii, CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), said: “This groundbreaking commitment by Québec shows the growing international cooperation to help the most vulnerable and most exposed to the impacts of climate change.”
The support for the LDCF was included in an announcement by the Québec government today of new international funding for climate cooperation. See the Québec press statement below.
“By contributing to the Least Developed Countries Fund, Québec, as a federated state, is setting a precedent in international climate funding. This new gesture is yet another demonstration of the essential contribution of federated states in the fight against climate change and Québec’s leadership in this area,” underscored the Premier.
Earlier this week, 11 donor countries pledged $US248 million to the LDCF.
Welcoming the injection of more money for adaptation support to some of the most vulnerable countries on the planet, Naoko Ishii, added: “Given that we’re already locked into climate change trajectories for many years to come, increased investment in adaptation has to be at the core of the new climate agreement.”
After four years of negotiations, Parties at COP21 in Paris on Saturday concluded the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP) and arrived at a draft outcome for consideration and political negotiation by the Conference of Parties (COP). The mid-summit development has apparently set the pace for what looks like a constructive and decisive second week of the global conference.
ADP Co-Chairs Ahmed Djoghlaf (right) and Daniel Reifsnyder. Photo credit: www.npr.org
The French presidency now assumes the leadership of the 21st Conference of Parties which got underway on Saturday.
Over the past week, the draft agreement has been somewhat streamlined and features bridging proposals which will help ministers work through the political issues underlying the deal, providing them with common-ground options from which they can begin their talks.
Indeed, the text being handed to ministers still contains all options on the key issues at stake and so very little actual progress appears to have been made in terms of compromises and agreements on the contentious points. Nonetheless, progress has been made on loss and damage and many hurdles have been cleared to smooth coming negotiations.
Jennifer Morgan, Director of the Global Climate Programme at the World Resources Institute, said: “Negotiators have agreed on a new draft agreement which has clearer options and indicates more common ground. Though there is plenty of hard work ahead, the table is now set for ministers to get this done.”
Nigel Topping, CEO of the We Mean Business Coalition which represents 335 global corporations and business groups with total revenue of $7.1 trillion: “As Ministers arrive in Paris to start the substantive negotiations on the Paris agreement we are optimistic that they can deliver the clean and unambiguous signal of climate ambition that business needs to start the low-carbon revolution in earnest. Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed, but an ambitious long-term goal with a five-year review on progress are in our sights. Now we need a review of progress every five years starting in 2020 and for the countries who are able to step up on mitigation and adaptation finance, with the developed world leading the charge. If governments set up the billions, business will unlock the trillions.”
Srinivas Krishnaswamy, CEO of the Vasudha Foundtion: “India came to Paris with a constructive tone. Its leadership in forming a Global Solar Alliance demonstrated its assertiveness in framing the climate talks and was able to shine a light upon the future low carbon pathways that it will pursue. India’s concerns on energy use are legitimate, yet, it has been able to engage on those issues in good faith, exploring how faster means of implementation can help support a faster transition to renewable energy and break its reliance on coal. Despite reports and some public comments, India has proven to be far more open and willing to compromise than it is being given credit for.”
Richard Black, director of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit: “Negotiators have made a serious amount of progress this week, and we’re close to where the French hosts wanted us to be at this point, with most of the technical details ironed out so that politicians can get cracking next week on the big issues. The situation couldn’t be more different from Copenhagen six years ago, when delegations were more interested in grandstanding than graft. You can never predict these things with certainty and countries are some way apart on issues such as finance, but the chances of securing an agreement next weekend that will both constrain climate change and help poor countries prepare for inevitable impacts now look pretty good.”
Laurence Tubiana, French Ambassador for the international climate negotiations: “We could have been better, we could have been worse, important is that we have a text that we want an agreement next week and all parties want it. The job is not done, we need to apply all intelligence, energy, willingness to compromise and all efforts to come to agreement. Nothing is decided until everything is decided.”
Tony De Brum, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marshall Islands: “It is much too easy and convenient for some to see this negotiation as a competition between short-term national interests. Paris is much bigger than that. The fact that we are seeing so many countries reach out beyond their traditional groupings to join our mission reflects this. A favourite phrase in this negotiation is ‘nationally determined’. We are here to fight for what is ‘globally necessary’.”
Brandon Wu, ActionAid: “Finance is a core part of the UN climate framework and a key driver of the outcome. Without finance, there’s no support for the poorest and most vulnerable. There’s no just transition. There’s no motivation for developing countries to make ambitious commitments. Outside of a few pledges, developed countries aren’t coming forward to deliver plans, but we simply can’t expect ambition without some assurance that there will be assistance.
“On differentiation, developed countries have made it very clear that the old two-tiered system will not work. Developing countries have made it very clear that a system in which every country is the same is inequitable and unacceptable. We need a third way, a middle ground, which would need to be developed with a clear set of language, and could be based around indicators on responsibility and capacity.”
Sandeep Chamling Rai, WWF: “Countries agree that there should be a global goal for adaptation included in any new climate deal. What we want is that the goal should be linked to science – by ensuring that actions do not allow global temperatures to increase beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius. Already – at one-degree global temperature increase – we are seeing devastating impacts on vulnerable communities and ecosystems which is why countries are calling for strong decision on loss and damage. For many, this is a matter of survival.”
Liz Gallagher, E3G: “What we saw yesterday was the spirit of the leaders come through. Over the past few days, we saw movement in the negotiating blocs, as different priorities emerged and the North-South dynamic has become more nuanced around most issues, except for finance, where that still is in play. Saudi Arabia is acting as a roadblock, while India is being a more constructive player in the talks. No doubt there will be drama over the next week or so, but there are landing zones visible. On the ratchet mechanism, as Facebook would say, it’s complicated. This is the least mature area of the negotiations, since we’re trying to do something fresh and new to create ambition in Paris. We know that the renewables revolution will proceed faster than we can imagine. We know extreme weather will become worse than we ever imagined. That’s why we need to make sure review our pledges before 2020, and keep from locking ourselves out of ambitious action.”
Martin Kaiser, Greenpeace: “At this point in Copenhagen we were dealing with a 300-page text and a pervasive sense of despair. In Paris we’re down to a slim 21 pages and the atmosphere remains constructive. But that doesn’t guarantee a decent deal. Right now the oil-producing nations and the fossil fuel industry will be plotting how to crash these talks when ministers arrive next week.
“The enemies of a decent deal know they have one week to kill words in the text that commit the world to ‘full decarbonisation’. They know that would set us on a path towards 100% renewables by the middle of the century. Those regressive forces will fight instead for words that call for a ‘low emission transformation’, knowing that such a watered down phrase will do almost nothing to keep fossil fuels in the ground. There is a whole heap of work still to do here in Paris, but as things stand our report card reads: optimistic about the process, less so about the content.”
But the Corporate Accountability International maintains that, after four years, the text outcome falls short on justice and ambition, pointing out that it falls short of adequately emphasising the historical responsibility of the Global North, provide justice for the Global South and catalyse a rapid transition away from dirty energy.
Tamar Lawrence-Samuel, Associate Research Director, Corporate Accountability International, said: “While the draft outcome released this morning for negotiation next week will likely be met with applause by Global North governments and their corporate board room backers, it fails to deliver meaningfully toward the systemic transition climate change requires. At the core of this failure are the obstinate negotiating positions of the US and other Global North governments who are bent on deregulating the global rules applying to them and advancing the financial needs of big business over the survival needs of people.
“And, despite the image of hope and action President Obama and other leaders painted on Monday, the chasm between rhetoric and action continues to grow. Whether it’s finance or technology, loss and damage or differentiation, the positions reflected in this text are heavily biased towards the US, Japan, EU and other Global North countries, and the emissions-intensive industries they represent.
“The US position, for example, reflects the strong limits placed on US climate action by a Congress overrun by the unconstrained campaign spending of Koch Industries, Exxon Mobil and other big polluters. As a result, President Obama has said the United States can’t accept a legally binding agreement and is failing to come forward with any new commitments on important issues like finance, technology and capacity.
“Rather than advancing the interests of polluters through a weaker climate policy regime this agreement must recognise the historical responsibility of the Global North, provide justice for the Global South and catalyze the rapid transition away from dirty energy. The primary obstacle to these and other policy imperatives is to insulate the policymaking process from the corrosive influence of big polluters, both here at the UNFCCC and at home in national governments. Only then will climate policy truly value people over profits.”
George Smeeton, Head of Communications at the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit, disclosed that OPEC countries like Saudi Arabia and Venezuela stood out for their extensive efforts to derail the process in the first week of the COP, including blocking the vital symbol of human rights and ambition in the agreement, the x1.5-degree goal, as well as throwing up roadblocks around the definition of terms such as decarbonisation, carbon neutrality, and zero carbon.
He adds: “Also, despite a week of big announcements on renewable from Bill Gates, India’s Solar Alliance, Google and more, Saudi Arabia have also questioned 100% Renewables as being a “slogan” rather a means to achieving the objectives of the conference. However, those efforts were not successful and negotiations at ministerial levels are now well set to progress. It is important to remember that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed and nothing is yet locked in.
“The fact that all countries have made clear their key issues and that all countries are supporting the process as set out by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius is a good sign that the ministers can now get down to work. We will need to see some real leadership from the developed world and more leadership from China, which has been notable for its backseat position. Despite reports and some of its public comments, India has proven to be far more open and willing to compromise than it is being given credit for.
“On French presidency, there is broad agreement that France has laid a strong foundation for positive and constructive talks. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has undertaken a major consultation process with all parties to ensure all countries have a stake in the process. Despite the usual wrangling of international negotiations making headlines, the talks are broadly going well and the spirit of ‘we are all in this together’” is alive and well. Negotiations do need to take care to ensure they live up to the spirit of unity and ambition their leaders set out earlier in the week, but overall the talks are in a better place than may have been expected as we head into the final week of negotiations.”
Vietnam has pledged a contribution to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) at the Paris COP 21 talks, further broadening the base of support to the Fund. Forty-three states have now pledged support to the Fund, including both developed and developing countries.
Vietnamese Prime Minister, Nguyen Tan Dung. Photo credit: tuoitrenews.vn
Vietnamese Prime Minister, Nguyen Tan Dung, announced the pledge of $1 million during his address to the Paris climate conference plenary.
The Prime Minister emphasised that developed countries should take the lead in delivering their commitments and at the same time provide assistance for capacity building to developing countries in order to implement together the Paris agreement successfully.
Vietnam would nevertheless step up its efforts as well, he said.
“Greater efforts will be taken to fulfil our obligations under the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol. Vietnam accordingly will contribute $1 million to the Green Climate Fund for the period 2016-2020,” he stated.
Prime Minister Dung reiterated that, despite limited resources, “Vietnam will continue to implement the national strategy, programme, and plans in response to climate change in various areas with concrete measures.”
He recalled that Vietnam’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) includes a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 8% by 2030 compared to business-as-usual (BAU) projections, and by up to 25% conditional upon international support.
Vietnam’s INDC also identifies the threat posed by rising sea levels to the Mekong Delta region among others and the need for climate resilience measures to be taken.
GCF opened its initial resource mobilisation in October 2014, rapidly reaching about $10 billion equivalent by the end of that year. The Fund remains open for contributions during its first funding period (2015-2018), and accepts them on an ongoing basis.
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 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:SBSTAChair 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.
