Notes from Bonn, part 3: PFT at COP 23
Andrea Tuttle, PFT Board Chair
November 14, 2017
The corridors are filling up for the 2nd week of the 23rd Conference of Parties (COP 23) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (the UNFCC). There are hundreds of competing parallel side events all day long here in the “Bonn Zone.” There are additional negotiations and delegates in another building (the “Bula Zone”), which is a 30-minute shuttle ride away.
This is the line of protesters for the one and only US sponsored side event, which was a pro-coal, pro-nuclear, pro-fossil fuel panel on Monday. Protestors filled up the open area, heading to the room at the top right.
It was mobbed by hundreds of protesters who stood in line for an hour, then sang for 15 minutes holding banners. When they left the room was virtually empty, except for the press at the back.
The halls are full! Here are the Indonesia and Fiji pavilions, where many side events are being held.
Scenes around the sprawling Bonn Zone where country pavilions, exhibits, and side events are held.
Discussion on linked carbon markets in Asia.
This is typical of the scope and attendance of the many side events.
At a side event, Governor Kate Brown of Oregon is at the podium, along with Craig Ebert of Climate Action Reserve; Chris Ballard, Ontario’s provincial Minister of the Environment and Climate Change; Matt Rodrigues, California Secretary for Environmental Protection; Jared Snyder, Deputy Commissioner for Air Resources, Climate Change & Energy at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; and a Washington state agency staff member.
Preparing for the upcoming session.
This is a typical negotiation subcommittee meeting – fortunately, observers were able to attend this. The subject here is designing the UN rules for a carbon market (under Article 6). At the moment this topic is in a deadlock because certain parties simply want to slow the entire process down and not agree to adopt any text.
Wednesday was the beginning of the High Level segment, when heads of government and ministries give formal statements, pledging their support and great ambition for reducing emissions and adapting to climate change. Many in attendance wear their national formal dress.
