ENB on the side – 1st Meeting of the Parties serving as the Conference of Parties to the Kyoto Protocol and 11th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change - Issue #6
PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (IISD) in cooperation with the UNFCCC Secretariat Written by: Asmita Bhardwaj Alice Bisiaux Robynne Boyd Twig Johnson, Ph.D. Peter Wood Editor: Lisa Schipper, Ph.D. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Director of IISD Reporting Services: Langston James "Kimo" Goree VI <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Volume 17, Issue #6 Monday, 5 December 2005 Online at http://www.iisd.ca/climate/cop11/ Events convened on Saturday, 3 December 2005 Title: Arctic and Canadian vulnerability Presented by Canada Jack Anawak, Ambassador, Canada, described the Arctic Council and the importance of indigenous people and their knowledge of the arctic. Vitaly Churkin, Ambassador, Russia, underlined that climate change in the Arctic has drawn the highest political profile in the world. He said the role of anthropogenic factors of climate change have been recognized at the 2005 G8 meeting, and he called for more research on mitigation and adaptation. Robert Corell, Arctic Climate Impact Assessment Process, presented the results of the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA), which show that the Arctic is warming more rapidly than any other part of the planet. He listed several consequences of Arctic warming, such as sea level rise, changes in the marine ecosystems, and the disappearance of indigenous people and polar bears. He underlined that even if carbon dioxide emissions were stopped, stabilization would require several hundred years. Thomas Becker, Greenland Dialogue, reported on a ministerial meeting held in August 2005 in Greenland to discuss the development of a post-Kyoto regime. He said ministers agreed to stop the “blame game” in international negotiations, recognized that the scientific case for climate change has been made, and called for improving knowledge on its economic impact. Veikko Marttila, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Finland, indicated that adaptation is part of the 2005 national energy and climate strategy. He outlined priorities for increasing adaptation capacities, including: mainstreaming impacts and adaptation into sectoral policies; addressing long term investments; coping with extreme weather events; improving observation systems; strengthening the research and development base; and international cooperation. Rune Sverre Fjellheim, Arctic Council, outlined the impacts of climate change on the indigenous Arctic communities, such as health hazards, increased persistent organic pollutants, and travel risks. He stressed the importance of preserving arctic languages that are on the verge of extinction and indicated that the people are willing to share their knowledge of the Arctic if governments recognize the people’s ownership of this knowledge. Pal Prestrud, Centre for International Climate and Environmental Research, Norway, mentioned the adoption of the Reykjavik Declaration at the time the ACIA report was delivered, which acknowledges the importance of the Arctic and calls for timely and concerted action to address global emissions. He stressed the need for renewed political momentum to address climate change in the Arctic. Discussion: participants addressed the impact of climate change on fisheries, energy exploration in the Arctic, working groups of the Arctic Council, and methane releases. More information: http://www.acia.uaf.edu http://www.cambridge.org Contacts: Jack Anawak <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Vitaly Churkin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Robert Corell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Thomas Becker <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Veikko Marttila <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Rune Sverre Fjellheim <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Pal Prestrud <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Title: Voices from the frontline: climate justice strategies Presented by Redefining Progress Henry Clark, West County Toxics Coalition, said climate change is occurring, stressed the need for government officials to recognize the current “state of emergency,” and urged civil society to hold governments accountable. Sarah James, Council of Athabascan Tribal Government, insisted that protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is part of fighting climate change and called for reducing oil use and disseminating alternative energy. Vivian Felts, Saving Our Selves (SOS), described consequences of global warming such as recent hurricanes in the Alabama, Mississippi, and the Louisiana Gulf Coast and increases in oceanic and atmospheric temperatures. She emphasized the vulnerability of coastal populations to climate change. LaTosha Brown, SOS, emphasized the human context of climate change through the lens of hurricane Katrina and subsequent tropical storms. She noted the ongoing effects of Katrina and underlined the vulnerability of low income communities. Ansje Miller, Environmental Justice and Climate Change Initiative, emphasized the need for climate change solutions to address social and environmental justice, as well as create mechanisms to protect vulnerable communities, other than those under the Kyoto Protocol. Discussion: participants discussed difficulties associated with low-income communities making the transition to a low-carbon economy; economic benefits of renewable energy; and need for sustainable livelihoods. More information: http://www.westcountytoxicscoalition.org http://www.firstnations.org/alaska.asp http://www.sosafterkatrina.org http://ejcc.org http://www.redefiningprogress.org Contacts: Henry Clark <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sarah James <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Vivian Felts <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> LaTosha Brown <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Ansje Miller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Title: Canada and the post-2012 climate change regime Presented by the International Institute for Sustainable Development Aaron Cosbey, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), stated that in order to reach the 550 ppm level we need to reorient growth towards sustainability, clean technology, carbon markets, and adaptation in the post 2012 regime. He said capacity is needed where vulnerability is greatest and harnessing the creativity and resources of the private sector urgently requires a carbon price signal. Alexey Kokorin, WWF Russia, said Russian priorities are economic and political, not environmental. He said Russia could achieve Kyoto targets depending on whether bureaucratic inertia or creative approaches dominate the process of developing a climate policy. Harold Winkler, Energy Research Center, South Africa, said actions on sustainable development policies and measures should take priority over setting climate change targets. Li Liyan, National Climate Change Coordination Committee, China, indicated that sustainable development is their priority and noted her country’s necessary reliance on coal. She said China is interested in energy efficiency, science-based development, and renewable energy, but not carbon trading schemes. Noting that fossil fuels are plentiful, Mark Jaccard, Simon Fraser University, said the focus should be reducing emissions, not carbon consumption. John Drexhage, IISD, said the conclusion of the analysis of 44 options for post 2012 was that we need a regime that passes both the “political laugh test” as well as the “reality check”. More information: http://www.iisd.ca http://www.iisd.org/climate http://www.wwf.ru http://www.erc.uct.ac.za http://www.emrg.sfu.ca Contacts: Aaron Cosbey <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Alexey Kokorin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Harald Winkler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Li Liyan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Mark Jaccard <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> John Drexhage <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> David Runnalls <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Title: Information Networks for Small-Scale CDM Development in Africa Presented by Climate Action Network International and Marbek Resource Consultants Geoff Stiles, Marbek Resource Consultants, highlighted features of the GHG Clearinghouse Website, including a resource centre, moderated forum, news and events, links, and a clearinghouse for projects and service providers. He suggested NGO networks improve their relationship with business interests, and highlighted potential benefits of an African “network of networks” on climate change, similar to that developed for the Asian region, which has received far greater attention to date. Dean Cooper, Promoting Access to Carbon Equity, noted that barriers to small scale African CDM projects include high cost and lack of awareness. He urged building independent African CDM capacity and outlined his organization’s activities, including lobbying and project development facilitation. Collins Olisa-Emeka Gardner, Presidential Implementation Committee on CDM, Nigeria, noted that the African Development Bank has not been as active a supporter of CDM projects as its Asian counterpart, and that the CDM should be private sector driven. Johannes Chigwada, Zero Regional Environment Organization, Zimbabwe, described a pilot project testing a wind-powered community electricity grid. More information: http://www.ghgclearinghouse.org.za http://www.marbek.ca http://www.parallaxonline.net http://www.zeroregional.com Contacts: Geoff Stiles <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Dean Cooper <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Collins Olisa-Emeka Gardner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Johannes Chigwada <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Title: European Business in Action Presented by the Union of Industrial and Employers Confederation of Europe Daniel Cloquet, Union of Industrial and Employers Confederation of Europe (UNICE), outlined the progress and prospects for reducing emissions by UNICE companies, such as the development of new technologies. Brigitte Poot, Total, described Total’s achievements in reducing emissions, and outlined a group action plan for Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions reduction. Stephan Herbst, Toyota Motor Europe, presented his company’s environmental management approaches, including efforts to produce a zero emission car and research on clean diesel technology. Jean-Yves Caneill, Eléctricité de France, said electricity companies can act at two levels, namely, carbon-free electricity generation and reduction in electricity consumption. Peter Botschek, European Chemical Energy Council, outlined some of the challenges to emissions reductions strategies such as the improper functioning of emission trading schemes. Geri Hoibye, Norwegian Confederation of Industries, noted the long term agreements of the aluminum, land-based process, and oil and gas industry to reduce emissions. Joachim Hein, German Industry Federation, stressed the need for improving the functioning of the EU Emission trading scheme and bringing on board other large emitters. Discussion: participants discussed improving efficiencies and technological breakthroughs in the chemical industry, and the urgent need for a carbon price signal. More information: http://www.unice.org/ http://www.total.com/en/common/contact/products_services_1022.htm http://www.edf.fr/259i/homefr.html http://www.cefic.be/ http://www.nho.no/ http://www.bdi-online.de/ Contacts: Daniel Cloquet <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Brigitte Poot <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Stephan Herbst <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Jean-Yves Caneill <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Peter Botschek <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Geri Hoibye <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Joachim Hein <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Title: Climate Change: Why are forward-looking businesses taking action? Presented by the United Kingdom Sara Hendry, UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), outlined the British Prime Minister’s efforts to engage business in the climate agenda. Terry Townshend, DEFRA, provided an overview of a recent UK climate conference called “Climate change: A business forecast”. Mark Kenber, The Climate Group, noted that climate change is not only a risk but also an opportunity and that businesses have a chance to profit. Fanny Calder, University of Cambridge, illustrated how businesses are engaging with the climate change issue through the formation of the Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change. Daniel Gagnier, ALCAN, emphasized that there are a number of low-hanging fruit in terms of climate change abatement technology. Jeff Passmore, Iogen Corporation, illustrated his company’s initiatives in the production of cellulose ethanol fuel that provides emission reduction benefits. Kirsty Hamilton, Business Council for Sustainable Energy, UK, presented the findings of a study on UK business views on international climate and energy policy. Discussion: participants discussed energy security issues as a driver for renewable energy development and the need to promote alternative fuel vehicles. More information: http://www.defra.gov.uk http://www.theclimategroup.org http://www.cpi.cam.ac.uk http://www.climateforchange.ca http://www.iogen.ca http://www.bcse.org.uk Contacts: Sarah Hendry <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Terry Townshend <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Mark Enber <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Fanny Calder <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Daniel Gagnier <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Jeff Passmore <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Kirsty Hamilton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Rachel Solomon Williams <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Title: Climate Insurance Presented by the Institute for Environmental Studies of the Free University Amsterdam Ian Burton, independent scholar, highlighted UNFCCC articles relating to insurance and addressed the opportunity for post-2012 regime negotiations to include insurance. Peter Höppe, Munich Reinsurance Company, introduced the Munich Climate Insurance Initiative and noted the increase in extreme weather events and economic losses. He said the Initiative will help address the consequences of disasters in poor countries. Christoph Bals, Germanwatch, discussed design considerations in setting up insurance related mechanisms, noting they must be need-based and affordable. He outlined a multilayer concept where actors provide reinsurance capital and premium in a layered risk approach, and said climate insurance activities must be in line with the UNFCCC. Joanne Linnerooth-Bayer, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, noted the challenge of developing an affordable climate insurance instrument for the developing world and linking it with prevention. Andrew Dlugolecki, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, discussed the public and private sectors’ roles in insurance- related mechanisms, noting the private sector’s interest in large- scale financial markets and public sector’s data of risk history. Ritu Kumar, Teri-Europe, said risk management in India is reactived. She called for the improvement of loss data collection for insurance companies and the increase in public disaster reinsurance capacity. More information: http://www.munichre.com http://germanwatch.org http://www.iiasa.ac.at http://www.cru.uea.ac.uk http://www.teriin.org http://www.pik-potsdam.de Contacts: Ian Burton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Peter Höppe <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Christoph Bals <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Joanne Linnerooth-Bayer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Andrew Dlugolecki <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Ritu Kumar <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> The Earth Negotiations Bulletin on the side (ENBOTS) © <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> is a special publication of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in cooperation with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat. This issue has been written by Asmita Bhardwaj, Alice Bisiaux, Robynne Boyd, Twig Johnson, Ph.D., and Peter Wood. The photographer is Leila Mead. The Digital Editor is Diego Noguera. The Editor is Lisa Schipper, Ph.D. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. The Director of IISD Reporting Services is Langston James “Kimo” Goree VI <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. Funding for the publication of ENBOTS at UNFCCC COP 11 & Kyoto Protocol COP/MOP 1 is provided by the UNFCCC Secretariat. The opinions expressed in ENBOTS are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of IISD and funders. Excerpts from ENBOTS may be used in non-commercial publications only with appropriate academic citation. For permission to use this material in commercial publications, contact the Director of IISD Reporting Services at <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. Electronic versions of issues of ENBOTS from UNFCCC COP 11 & Kyoto Protocol COP/MOP 1 can be found on the Linkages website at http://www.iisd.ca/climate/cop11/. 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