Notes from Bonn, part 2: PFT at COP 23 climate talks
by Andrea Tuttle, PFT Board Chair
Friday, November 10, 2017
The first week of COP 23 is well underway. Corridors are filling with people from all over the world: official delegates from each country, thousands of climate advocates who staff their exhibits and speak at side events, and those who attend the negotiation meetings that are open to observers. There is a real “United Nations” in the hallways!
This is considered a “technical” COP, where the main topics are hammering out the means for implementing the many elements of the Paris Agreement (PA). At the top of the list are issues of transparency, finance, and trading markets. On transparency, the participants will discuss how countries will report and record progress towards their pledges (or NDCs, their Nationally Determined Contributions, discussed further below) and how those measures will be transparent and reviewed. On finance, they will discuss how pledges of support from developed countries are being used to support low-carbon development in developing countries. The UN administers funds through the Global Climate Fund, which takes applications from countries, evaluates the proposed projects, and awards funds. This is separate from a host of other bilateral and multilateral support programs between countries, and corporations. COP 23 will examine how that system of finance is tracked. The conference will also work on developing standards for emerging trading markets for emission reductions, and a myriad of other administrative issues.
Today, Friday, Al Gore will be speaking to big crowds on the impacts of climate change to global populations. Despite the extreme climate events he will be showing on screen, his message is one of hope, that we can still make a difference. Among other positive developments, the price of renewables is falling dramatically, strong measures are already being taken by governments, progressive members of the business community are working to reduce emissions, and some banking and financial institutions are supporting low-carbon development.
Tomorrow, Saturday, the streets of Bonn will be taken over by a massive climate march that will be covered by plenty of media.
Sunday’s theme at COP 23 will be “Forest Day,” with a full program of speakers presenting. We will take stock of the state of the world’s forests, and the carbon gains and losses associated with forest loss and restoration.
Also very important in tropical forestry programs are issues of planning for entire landscapes, mixing agriculture and trees for sustainable development, food security, forest restoration, ensuring the rights of indigenous people living in and around the forest, and of women in decision making about their forests. We will also examine the drivers of major deforestation, including clearing for cattle, oil palm plantations, soybean and other agriculture.
Forests are no longer an active topic of negotiation, since the Paris Agreement included a strong article on forests and many references throughout the document. These enable countries to include their forest sector in the pledges they make under the PA (termed “NDCs,” or Nationally Determined Contributions). Many countries included the Forest sector in their NDCs. The challenge now is to implement those pledges.
Just now kids are chanting: “Climate Justice Now! People, United, Climate, Climate, Climate Justice Now! People, united, will never be defeated!”
US PAVILION: “WE ARE STILL IN”
“We Are Still In” is an exciting, independently funded event that stands in strong contrast to the official stance of the federal government. A set of big white balloon tents just outside the official gates is hosting a full week of speaking events, including Governors, Mayors, CEOs, faith leaders, NGO representatives, and activists of all kinds presenting their actions. When it comes down to it, emissions reductions result from efforts at the local, state, and regional levels, initiated by both government and business. Governor Jerry Brown and California representatives are scheduled for many events all over this whole giant, sprawling venue.
James Brainard, the mayor of Carmel, Indiana, spoke passionately today in favor of reducing climate change. He stated that the US “will meet its goals” and that “great countries keep their word.”
Mayor Brainard, a Republican, is one of more than 1,200 mayors who signed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. They all made a commitment to reduce the carbon emissions in our cities, regardless of political party; about 1/3 are Republicans and 2/3 are Democrats. Together, these mayors represent about 85 percent of the Earth’s population, giving us a strong path toward meeting the goals of the Paris Accord.
HIGH LEVEL SEGMENT
The high-level segment begins Monday. This consists of 2-3 days of formal speeches by the high ranking members (the “ministerial level”) from each country. German Prime Minister Angela Merkel will appear, among others; it’s not clear whether the United States will take the podium.