‘A Gentle Whisper in Your Ear’

Sustainable Climate Adaptation – 2008 G-77 Statement to the UN

How did the Developed Countries get everything so wrong in Copenhagen during December 2009 ?   Why was the European Union irrelevant to what was taking place ?   Were there no obvious signals … no straws in the wind … well in advance of the Climate Summit ?

Yes, there definitely were !   Almost two years beforehand !!   Take a deep breath … and suck this up …

Statement on Behalf of the Group of 77 & China by Ambassador John Ashe, Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations, at the Thematic Debate of the General Assembly on ‘Addressing Climate Change: The United Nations and The World at Work’  (New York, 12th February 2008)

Introduction

1.  Mr. President, the Group of 77 & China thank you for convening this debate in the General Assembly on the theme ‘Addressing Climate Change: The United Nations and The World at Work’.  It provides the Assembly with an additional opportunity to exchange views among Member States and with other partners on one of the important issues on the development agenda of the UN.

2.  At the outset, the Group of 77 & China reiterates that the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is, and should remain, the primary comprehensive framework for addressing climate change.  Therefore, this thematic debate should be recognized as an opportunity for Member States to dialogue on ways of increasing support for the Framework and on meeting the urgent need for immediate action to fully implement commitments under the Convention and its Kyoto Protocol; supporting the Bali Action Plan and other mechanisms of the Convention.

3.  Mr. President, the Group of 77 & China is of the view that there should not be a parallel process of debates that would detract from the negotiation process under the Convention.  The Group of 77 & China believes that multilateral action to address climate change should remain firmly rooted in the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol.

4.  Furthermore, this thematic debate, as well as the Secretary General’s report on the Overview of UN activities in relation to Climate Change should not attempt to influence any other processes such as the system wide coherence debate or the discussions on international environmental governance.

*** Climate Change as a Sustainable Development Challenge ***

5.  Mr. President, the Group of 77 & China is of the view that discussions on climate change should be placed within the proper context of sustainable development.  It is imperative that our discussion reinforces the promotion of sustainable development, highlighting the three pillars – economic development, social development and environmental protection – and the need to promote all three in an integrated, co-ordinated and balanced manner.

6.  We must not lose sight of the fact that climate change is a sustainable development challenge.  As such we should adhere steadfastly to the Rio Principles, in particular the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.  We must take fully into account that poverty eradication, economic and social development are the paramount priorities of developing countries.  Hence, we must ensure that the discussion on climate change is placed in its proper context so that it does not undermine the overall discourse on sustainable development.

7.  Mr. President, urgent action is needed now to fully implement the commitments under the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol, especially commitments on financing for adaptation, technology transfer and capacity building, if we are to make progress towards the achievement of the sustainable development goals of developing countries, in particular the Internationally Agreed Development Goals (IADG’s), including the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s).

8.  Urgent action is particularly needed on commitments, as climate change threatens the livelihoods of the very poor and vulnerable developing countries, in particular Africa, the Least Developed Countries (LDC’s), Land-Locked Developing Countries (LLDC’s), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and disaster prone developing countries.  The G-77 & China is of the view that while addressing the challenge of climate, the most affected countries and most vulnerable countries should be given adequate attention and support.

9.  Developed countries Parties must take the lead in addressing the implementation gap, since the extent to which developing countries Parties can effectively respond to the challenge depends on the effective implementation by developed country Parties of their commitments relating to financing and technology transfer.

Scaling-Up Financing, Technology Transfer and Capacity Building Support

10.  While the UN can support the efforts of developing countries in formulating policies for attracting climate change related investment flows, adaptation and nationally appropriate mitigation actions will have to be enabled by technology, financing and capacity-building that are commensurate with the magnitude of the tasks ahead of us, that is, in a measurable, reportable and verifiable manner, as agreed in the Bali Action Plan.  The provision of financial resources is a binding commitment of developed country Parties.  Clear guidance should be given to facilitate access to financial resources and investments without conditionalities.  It is essential that such financial resources not be considered as Official Development Assistance (ODA), but additional, and in compliance with existing binding commitments under the Convention.  Further, financing for adaptation to climate change and the impact of response measures should not be a reallocation or realignment of existing development financing.

11.  Developing countries should be provided with greater access to cost-effective, efficient and affordable advanced clean technologies.  The Group of 77 & China has repeatedly led calls for developing countries to have greater access to climate-friendly technologies.  Efforts in this regard need to be scaled up.  Furthermore, the UN can play an important role through the promotion of an Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Regime that facilitates the transfer of such technologies.

12.  The Group of 77 & China reiterates its call for increased support for capacity building in developing countries to enhance national efforts to promote an integrated approach to climate change response measures and sustainable development planning.

Greater Support by the UN System for Developing Countries to Address the Climate Change Challenge

13.  The UN’s efforts in supporting national adaptation activities must be strengthened, so that developing countries can achieve their sustainable development goals while responding to the challenges of climate change.  The role of the UN in supporting the overall development efforts is vital.  However, the G-77 & China finds that technology transfer and financing, have not been addressed adequately in the background documents made available in preparation for today’s debate.

14.  On the issue of partnerships, Mr. President, the G-77 & China is of the view that multi-stakeholder partnerships have an important role to play in addressing climate change.  The UN system should assist in fostering and promoting partnerships in support of national efforts.  However, partnerships should not replace ODA or international co-operation.

15.  Additionally, South-South co-operation is useful in the area of adaptation efforts, and greater support for South-South co-operation can also help developing countries better respond to the challenges of climate change.  However, South-South co-operation should not be considered within the context of multi-stakeholder partnerships.  Further, South-South co-operation on climate change should complement North-South co-operation.

Report on the Overview of UN Activities in Relation to Climate Change

16.  Mr. President, in General Assembly Resolution 62/8 Member States requested a comprehensive report providing an overview of the activities of the UN system in relation to climate change.  Based on this mandate the G-77 & China anticipated a factual report that takes stock of current UN system activities in this regard.  As such, there is no mandate with regard to ‘an indication of the way forward’, and ‘co-ordination of the UN system action on climate change’.  This remains the purview of the Member States to decide on.  Work on co-ordination mechanisms, and structures or frameworks, including clusters of activity or lead agencies, must be subject of inter-governmental consideration and decision prior to implementation.

17.  In general, the UN system entities should assist in the effective implementation of the provisions, commitments and action plans of the UNFCCC.  Co-ordination of UN system activities to enhance its role in meeting the challenge of climate change requires inter-governmental consideration, agreement and oversight by Member States.

18.  The G-77 & China recognizes the primacy of the UN in directing and supporting global efforts to meet the global challenge of climate change, and in supporting its Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).  The General Assembly, given its universality, should unequivocally urge Parties to undertake urgent action now to meet their commitments under the Convention, provide clear policy direction in this regard and to support to the Bali Plan of Action.

19.  Mr. President, the G-77 & China believes that the road to Copenhagen, where the concluding talks on the current process on the Bali Roadmap will be held in 2009, will be a difficult one, particularly for developing countries and the poorest and most vulnerable.  Leadership will therefore be critical if our response is to reflect the scale of the challenge.  We need an effective and comprehensive global response, within the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, to cover adaptation, technology transfer and financing, as well as mitigation.  Without rapid and tangible efforts by developed countries in this regard, climate change will lead to increased poverty and will negate our efforts at achieving sustainable development.

Thank you, Mr. President.

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NOTE:  The Group of 77 (G-77) was established on 15th June 1964 by seventy-seven developing countries – signatories of the ‘Joint Declaration of the Seventy-Seven Countries’, issued at the end of the first session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva.  Beginning with the first Ministerial Meeting of the Group of 77 in Algiers (Algeria), from 10-25 October 1967, which adopted the ‘Charter of Algiers‘, a permanent institutional structure gradually developed which led to the creation of Chapters of the Group of 77, with Liaison Offices in Geneva (UNCTAD), Nairobi (UNEP), Paris (UNESCO), Rome (FAO/IFAD), Vienna (UNIDO), and the Group of 24 (G-24) in Washington, D.C. (IMF and World Bank).  Although the Members of the G-77 have increased to 130 Countries, the original name was retained because of its historic significance.

Brazil, South Africa, India and China (BASIC) are all Members of G-77.

Bolivia, Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, Ecuador, and the Caribbean island states of Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Dominica (ALBA – Alianza Bolivariana para los Pueblos de Nuestra América / Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America) are also all Members of G-77.

The Group of 77 (G-77) WebSite is located at … www.g77.org

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END

Tags: 1964 Joint Declaration of the Seventy-Seven Countries, access to financial resources and investments without conditionalities, Africa, ALBA - Alianza Bolivariana para los Pueblos de Nuestra América, Ambassador John Ashe - Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations, Bali Action Plan, Brazil - South Africa - India - China (BASIC), Built Environment, Climate Change Adaptation, climate change adaptation and nationally appropriate mitigation actions, Climate Change as a Sustainable Development Challenge, climate change threatens the livelihoods of the very poor and vulnerable developing countries, climate change will lead to increased poverty and will negate our efforts at achieving sustainable development, co-ordinated and balanced manner, commitments on financing for adaptation - technology transfer - capacity building, common but differentiated responsibilities, cost-effective efficient and affordable advanced clean technologies, Developed countries Parties must take the lead in addressing the implementation gap, directing and supporting global efforts to meet the global challenge of climate change, disaster prone developing countries, discussions on climate change should be placed within the proper context of sustainable development, effective implementation of the provisions commitments and action plans of the UNFCCC, european union, financing for adaptation to climate change and the impact of response measures, First Ministerial Meeting of the Group of 77 in Algiers (Algeria) from 10-25 October 1967 which adopted the 'Charter of Algiers', formulating policies for attracting climate change related investment flows, Greater Support by the UN System for Developing Countries to Address the Climate Change Challenge, Group of 77 (G-77) WebSite, Group of 77 and China, human and social rights, human environment, important issues on the development agenda of the UN, integrated, integrated approach to climate change response measures and sustainable development planning, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Regime, inter-governmental consideration agreement and oversight by UN Member States, inter-governmental consideration and decision prior to implementation, international environmental governance, International Legal Instrument, Internationally Agreed Development Goals (IADG's), Land-Locked Developing Countries (LLDC's), Least Developed Countries (LDC's), measurable - reportable - verifiable (mrv) manner, Millennium Development Goals (MDG's), multilateral action to address climate change should remain firmly rooted in the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol, North-South co-operation, Official Development Assistance (ODA), poverty eradication economic and social development are the paramount priorities of developing countries, Rio Principles, Scaling-Up Financing - Technology Transfer - Capacity Building Support, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), South-South co-operation, supporting national adaptation activities, Sustainability Implementation, Sustainable Climate Adaptation - 2008 G-77 Statement to the UN, Sustainable Human & Social Development, sustainable partnerships, The UN General Assembly should unequivocally urge Parties to undertake urgent action now to meet their commitments under the UNFCCC, Thematic Debate of the UN General Assembly on 'Addressing Climate Change: The United Nations and The World at Work' (New York on 12th February 2008), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), urgent need for immediate action to fully implement commitments under the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol, we need an effective and comprehensive global response to cover adaptation - technology transfer - financing - as well as mitigation

COP-15 : UNFCCC : Kyoto Protocol : GHG’s – Confused ?

The World’s Media will gather in Copenhagen (Denmark) over the next few weeks … and we will all be bombarded with news, gossip, political ‘shenanigans’ and spin.  What is happening ?

The 15th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP-15) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will be meeting between the 7th and 18th December 2009.  There will be many other gatherings in Copenhagen around the same time.  Go on … have a quick look …

UNFCCC – Copenhagen, 7-18 December 2009

 COP-15 Overview Schedule (version 2009-12-01)

 Click the link above to read and/or download PDF File, 159kb.

UNFCCC – The Framework Convention on Climate Change was adopted, in New York (USA), on 9th May 1992.

Kyoto Protocol – This is a legally binding, internationally agreed addition to the UNFCCC.  The Protocol was adopted, in Kyoto (Japan), on 11th December 1997.

6 Greenhouse Gases (GHG’s) are specified at the beginning of Annex A in the Kyoto Protocol:

-   Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

-   Methane (CH₄)

-   Nitrous Oxide (N₂O)

-   Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC’s)

-   Perfluorocarbons (PFC’s)

-   Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF₆)

The Reference or Base Year for reliably calculating GHG Emission Reductions is 1990.

Demonstrable Progress in achieving GHG Emission Reductions was to have been made by 2005.

GHG Emission Reduction Targets are to be reached within the Commitment Period of 2008-2012.

Discussing compliance with the Kyoto Protocol’s legally binding Emission Reduction Targets in terms of Carbon Dioxide Equivalents, only, runs the risk of underestimating the significance of emissions from the industrial or fluorinated gases, i.e. HFC’s, PFC’s and SF₆.

Reality Check

With all of the spin … before, during and after COP-15 in Copenhagen … it is very important to be able to distinguish fact from fiction … and from plain, outright ‘spoof’ …

2008 Global Observations of Greenhouse Gases (GHG’s) in the Atmosphere

Date: 23 November 2009.  PDF File, 3.14Mb.

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Greenhouse Gas Bulletin No.5

Click the link above to read and/or download WMO GHG Bulletin No.5

Enjoy !

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Tags: 15th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP-15), 2008 Global Observations of Greenhouse Gases (GHG's) in the Atmosphere, 6 Greenhouse Gases (GHG's), Built Environment, Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Carbon Dioxide Equivalents, Climate Change Adaptation, Demonstrable Progress for GHG Emission Reductions by 2005, european union, GHG Emission Reduction Targets to be reached within Commitment Period of 2008-2012, human and social rights, human environment, Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC's), International Legal Instrument, Methane (CH4), Nitrous Oxide (N2O), Perfluorocarbons (PFC's), Reality Check, Reference Year for calculating GHG Emission Reductions is 1990, Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6), Sustainability Implementation, Sustainable Human & Social Development, UNFCCC COP-15 in Copenhagen on 7-18 December 2009, UNFCCC COP-15 Overview Schedule (version 2009-12-01), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Bulletin Number 5

An Open Letter to President Barack Obama – Questions

Dear Barack,

Please allow me to extend a warm welcome to you onto the International Stage … and an even warmer welcome for the United States of America back into the International Fold of Nations.

The last 8 Years have been a nightmare for concerned observers outside your country.  I should immediately add that a large branch of my extended family has been living in New York City and State since the mid-1950s.  And that you are now affectionately known in Ireland, because some of your roots are based here, as President O’Bama !

Being a pragmatic person, however, you will want me to come quickly to the point … and be direct.

You will shortly be signing into law a 787.2 Billion Dollar Economic Stimulus Package of spending increases and tax relief, which is intended to encourage an economic recovery in your country and to create jobs.  It is surprising that you have permitted significant funds earmarked for school construction, and for colleges and universities, to be removed from the Package during the ‘Compromise’ Negotiations.  Funding to provide health insurance for the unemployed has been sharply reduced, while funds for the ‘Greening’ (?) of Federal Buildings have also been scaled back.

The political imperative of successfully steering this Stimulus Package through Congress, at this time, is understood … but the final shape of the Package does not augur well for the future of your Presidency.

Taken together with the outcome from another recent event in my country, Ireland … and my surprise is turning to worry …

In Dublin, towards the end of January 2009, I attended a Round Table Discussion with a key individual who works in the US Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) – Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP).

Having posed 2 Questions after his presentation with regard to US Federal Policy on the ‘Green’ (i.e. environmental & energy) Performance of Federal Buildings, I discovered the following …

-         The individual concerned was completely unaware that there is a considerable difference between the ‘Green’ Agenda, i.e. a limitation of considerations to environmental aspects of Sustainable Human & Social Development alone (an outdated concept belonging more properly to the 1990s) … and the ‘Sustainability’ Agenda, which is far broader in scope and absolutely essential if we are to meet the great challenges being posed since the beginning of this 21st Century … for example, the World Trade Center Incident (9-11) in New York ;

-         There would appear to be no independent technical controls monitoring the ‘real’ environmental and energy performance in US Federal Buildings, no penalties for failure to meet performance targets, no horizontal integration between Federal Institutions dealing with procurement and building/system/product operation, and a systemic lack of proper accountability.

If it is your wish that the USA takes up a position of global leadership on some or all of the above issues, we – at Sustainable Design International – would like some information and assurances concerning the following matters …

-         When will you, and your Administration, begin to properly appreciate the considerable difference between a ‘Green’ Agenda and a ‘Sustainability’ Agenda … and the significant Institutional Re-Engineering required to implement US Federal, State and City Policies geared towards Sustainable Human & Social Development ?   How would you then intend to dramatically raise awareness … and mobilize all of the people in your country for action … at Federal, State and City Levels ?

-         If your Administration enters into negotiations on an International Kyoto II (post 2012) Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) … will US National Performance be open and transparent … and be seen to be ‘reliable’ by other countries, particularly Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa ?

-         When, precisely, will the US Senate ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, with its Optional Protocol ?   When will you arrange to fund the implementation of this Convention, with its Optional Protocol … and then arrange that a coherent and comprehensive programme of implementation, which must have a short timescale, be initiated ?   How long will that implementation timescale be ?

Effective International Law and Lasting Peace are 2 Prerequisite Essential Requirements for Sustainable Human & Social Development.  In order to free up current ‘process’ log-jams and bring lasting peace to the regions of the Caribbean and the Middle East … it is you who must make the first substantive moves …

-         When will you arrange for the immediate cessation of all aggressive and hostile activities against one of your close neighbours – the small island of Cuba – and a complete end to the economic, social & political choke-hold on its small population ?   When will your Administration finally arrange for the termination of the illegal occupation of Guantánamo Bay – an international act of piracy facilitated by the 1901 Platt Amendment ?   When will you finally ‘curtail’ the rabid behaviour of some of the more fanatical Cuban Exile Elements in Florida … and release the Miami 5 ?

-         When will you, and your Administration, bring your considerable authority and power to bear on the Criminal State of Israel … and force it to comply with International Law and Universal Human & Social Rights ?

We patiently await your considered response.

Many thanks for your attention.

Signed:  C. J. Walsh, Managing Director, Sustainable Design International Ltd. – Ireland, Italy & Turkey.

Tags: 'Green' Agenda, 'Greening' (?) of US Federal Buildings, 'Sustainability' Agenda, Brazil Russia India China and South Africa (BRICS), Criminal State of Israel, Cuba, Cuban Exile Elements in Florida, Effective International Law, Energy Performance of Buildings, Guantánamo Bay, Institutional Re-Engineering, International Fold of Nations, International Kyoto II (post 2012) Agreement, Ireland, Lasting Peace, Miami 5, New York City and State, Prerequisite Essential Requirements for Sustainable Human & Social Development, President Barack Obama, social rights, State and City Policies, Sustainable Design International, Sustainable Human & Social Development, United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), United States of America, US Congress, US Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE), US Economic Stimulus Package, US Federal, US Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), US Senate, World Trade Center Incident (9-11)