Durban Opening Sessions underway

Dispatches From Durban - Day 3

On Tuesday, November 29th, delegates from the working groups, AWG-KP and AWG-LCA, met for opening sessions.

The Ad hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex 1 Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP) was established at COP 1 to discuss commitments for Annex 1 countries under the Kyoto Protocol. Annex 1 countries are more commonly referred to as industrialized or developed countries.

The Ad hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA) was established in Bali (COP 13), to find along-term solution where all nations work to achieve a shared climate objective. As you might think, this working group evolved when it became clear that some developed nations were unhappy with the Kyoto restrictions that do not include large emitters such as China and India.

During these opening sessions participants heard opening statements from negotiating groups and gave some early consideration to the agenda items. Breakout groups and informal discussion began on a range of issues across the various bodies. COP 17 negotiations are now officially underway!

In other news, a press conference was held to announce that the oil rich state of Qatar will host COP 18 and the Republic of Korea will host the pre-COP. The International Chamber of Shipping has released a statement saying that it could accept a global levy on carbon emissions from merchant ships under a deal that would channel proceeds to poor countries. This ‘agreement in principle’ is to be hashed out with the United Nations International Maritime Organization.

Other links

• A Photo Gallery to get a glimpse of the action. 
• Canada adds its objections to $100-billion climate fund
• Archbishop Tutu challenges Canada to stop protecting big oil

 

Contact:
Neil Thomson, ISIS, Neil.Thom...@sauder.ubc.ca
Alison Murphy, Offsetters, alison.mur...@offsetters.ca

Durban welcomes world climate leaders

Dispatches From Durban - Day 2

The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa (COP 17), opened on Monday, November 28th with remarks from Jacob Zuma, the President of South Africa. The opening ceremonies also included words from outgoing COP President from Mexico Patricia Espinosa, incoming President Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, and UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres, emphasizing on the important work that negotiators have ahead of them over the next two weeks.

Following the welcoming ceremony, delegates from over 190 countries gathered for the opening plenary meetings. Parties discussed various agenda items, referring many issues to contact groups for consideration. On day one, the negotiations focused mainly on adopting agendas, procedures and other organizational matters necessary to set the stage for what everyone hopes will be a successful COP 17.

On the wish list, UN officials hope for a decision on extending emission reduction commitments under the Kyoto accord, which has been postponed for two years (previous commitments expire next year). Canadian Environment Minister, Peter Kent, signalled that Canada is expected to withdraw from the Kyoto protocol before Christmas, stating, “Kyoto is the past”. This makes Canada the only country in the world to have signed and ratified the international, legally binding agreement to tackle climate change, and then remove itself from the process. Canadian delegates have expressed the Harper Government’s position on Kyoto, echoing the USA’s sentiments, that a binding climate pact should include the world’s top emitters.

The $30-billion Green Climate Fund to help the developing world prepare for climate change will also be a hot topic at the conference, and is part of that $100-billion commitment made by developed countries at climate talks in Cancun, Mexico, in December 2010. Funds are not expected for distribution until 2020. A committee of 40 countries worked for the past year on drawing up a plan to administer the fund, but agreement on the final paper was blocked by the United States and Saudi Arabia.

The dominant message was the inequity of climate impacts on the poor, and especially on African nations.  

Other highlights:

• The US and Canada were called out for action - waiting for China is not an excuse
• An all-Faith Climate Justice concert with Desmond Tutu

Notable news stories:

• As the world meets on climate change, BC  has a role to play
• Kent skates around departure from Kyoto climate treaty
• Climate groups to Canada: Commit to Kyoto or stay home
• FAQ: UN climate change conference in Durban

Contact:
Neil Thomson, ISIS, neil.thom...@sauder.ubc.ca
Alison Murphy, Offsetters, alison.mur...@offsetters.ca