We reported to the COP 14 at 8:45 am for our participation in an international youth side action. Representatives from 50 countries stood at the entrance corridor in a disciplined queue showcasing different messages with their country flags. ‘Share our vision”, we called out in unison to the negotiators, UN observers, intergovernmental party members, journalists, NGO & business participants as they walked past us. We continued to echo our messages one by one till our time slot came to an end. “The youth of the world are cooperating, when are the political leaders going to join hands?”, “Fight disease, tech transfer funding, stop deforestation save our coral reefs, indigenous rights, adaptation fund, mitigation, save our forests, developed countries should take responsibility of their historical emissions.”
The youth movement had kick started with yet another powerful, energetic event which beckoned to the political leaders of the world. I felt charged up standing in the midst of the youth, voicing their slogans in a crescendo.
Another highlight of my personal experience in the conference was my role as the youth liaison to the UNFCCC Secretariat along with Line Kirk from Denmark. After the action in the morning, we went together to discuss with Maurice working under the UNFCCC Secretariat about the booking of meeting rooms for the youth. We were thrilled to know that the secretariat had agreed to give us a room (Aesculapian Snake) from 10am to 11am, everyday for us to assemble and have our youth meetings. This arrangement worked out very well for the youth as we all had a debrief in the morning before we launched our actions for the day as a youth movement.
I went to the stork plenary for a while to listen to the various parties talk about technology transfer, and provision for financial and technical support. While I glanced through the stork Plenary, I ran to hear the last 5 minutes of the European Union in a press conference. The representatives made a key note on technology and investment as hand in hand opportunities.
Inspite of not attending the full press conference it was extremely fruitful for a few representatives of the Indian Delegation to have a three minute chat with UNFCCC Secretary, Yvo de Boer, and confirm an appointment with him for the next day for 20 minutes for a one on one meeting with the India youth delegation . The Indian Youth Delegation were delighted to share this opportunity with the youth community and represent them with specific questions for Mr. De Boer .
While the excitement of our break through subsided I headed for a UNFCCC side event on the LEG/NAPA at 1:00 pm. It was an update on the work for the Least Developed countries Expert Group (LEG) and the status of implementation of National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) highlighting results of collaborating institutions. As per the definition of UNFCCC, NAPAs provide a process for LDCs to identify priority activities that respond to their urgent needs to adapt to climate change – those for which further delay would increase vulnerability and costs at a later stage. As of October 2008, the UNFCCC secretariat received NAPAs from 38 LDCs. As per the status from 2001, there had only been one NAPA project implemented in Bhutan. The reason why it was implemented was because the studies with regard to disaster risk, feasibility and assessment of costs were completed before hand by the infrastructure in Bhutan. In most developed countries this process is extremely time consuming. The discussion that followed the presentation voiced concerned opinions of many officials representing LDCs. They questioned the implementation strategies of NAPA, the reason in the delay of the implementation. Why did it take so long to implement one project since 2001? Why was it taking so long to implement NAPAs from 38 LDCs while there was a dire need for ground adaptation strategies? The board specified on the need for a comprehensive climate strategy at national level. There is a need to mainstream adaptation in all aspects of economy and society. There is also a dire need to establish a vital connection between traditional knowledge and the solutions for adaptation policies. There was also a need to define adaptation and streamline it in development.
Along with the side event, the international outreach group were active in organizing yet another international youth action at 1:15pm, ‘Meet and Treat,’ for government delegates entering the afternoon plenary session – offering traditional polish pastries together with an invitation for government delegates to meet with the youth.
At 3 pm I headed for the communications group meeting. We discussed a fresh angle to add to our discussions. We decided to have two press conferences oriented towards the youth. Another challenge was to get across the international youth message through our actions, particularly to the media and the country representatives. We also discussed various aspects of the working groups. There were to be liaisons from all the working groups. The liaisons were to meet every evening at 6pm and put together an amalgam of all activities and feedbacks from all working groups. They were further to report back to their individual groups and share information as to what was happening with the other groups.
At 3:30 pm I headed for the AD Hoc Working Group on Long Term Cooperative Action under the convention (AWG – LCA). This was a workshop on a shared vision for long term cooperative action.
The shared vision encompassed of mitigation and adaptation priority actions targeted country based. The idea was to build on a national level adaptation planning and implementation, building on existing processes and existing financial programs. Every country would have to prioritize in new and additional finance and investments.
The goal was to reach 350 ppm, below 1.5 Centigrade above pre–industrial levels. In reference to the baseline of 1990, the emissions reductions were to be more than 85% by 2050.
The goal of Annex 1 countries: reductions by 20% to 1990 levels by 2020 and more than 85% by 2050.
Japan was to achieve stabilisation of GHG concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climatic system. The suggestions were to incorporate innovation in day to day lifestyle, common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.
Dr Pradipto Ghosh, negotiator representing India stressed highly on per capita emissions and climate equity. He pin pointed on the ultimate goal of the shared vision. The method, the relevance of the method, the relevance of the provisions of Kyoto, cumulative emissions, historical emissions in a time frame of eco-systems, food production, economic development. “All the elements of ‘The Bali Action’ plan are comprehensive and interrelated. “
According to Dr Pradipto Ghosh, three relevant points include ;
- Equity: All humans are responsible towards achieving any stabilization target.
- Right to development of LDCs: Rapid development, poverty and vulnerability are interrelated.
- Adaptation: economic & social development and poverty eradication, stabilization of emissions, mitigation measures should be compensated by developed countries through transfer of technology to account for their historical emissions.
The need of the hour would include deep reduction targets of 25%-40% by 2020 on the baseline of 1990. India stressed on equal rights to the common man, equal arrangements in Copenhagen wherein all parties should reach a consensus.
Ghana stressed on polluters pay principle, urgent precautionary measures, equity at an intra and inter generational level, access to ecological space, solution not limited to mitigation, adaptation, technology transfer and finance. Ultimately the global goal should be measurable, verifiable and reportable with the help of mitigation, adaptation, technology transfer and finance.
According to Brazil, an innovative approach on technology development was very important. Currently there is an implementation deficit. The shared vision would require a new cooperation approach determining responsibilities of the Annex 1 countries and non–Annex countries. The level of support would determine the action. However financing of projects wasn’t to depend solely on markets. It would demand scaling up of public sector funding on a concessional basis. Further adaptation would have to be country driven. Historical emissions were to be considered and each country would act accordingly with a view of the future.
Despite the fact that the workshop was extremely interesting, I had to rush to meet Joydeep with the Indo-Asian News Service to discuss our role as an Indian delegation. The article he published came in the Deccan Herald, Times of India, and a blog of news relating to Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
I ran to the UNFCCC office to book a press conference room. The theme of the youth press conference to take place on the 11th December, was to be “voices of the global youth.” Having fulfilled this, I attended a little of the negotiations in the Stork Plenary. While it was extremely interesting, I remember being very tired. At 6 pm we had our Indian youth delegation debrief session. We spoke about our busy day and each one shared their thoughts and ideas about the conference. It was a fruitful exercise since everybody clarified their misconceptions and problems if any. We also had the dinner reception on this day hosted by the Polish government for all participants. So it was great to look forward to good food and interactions during dinner time. We had the opportunity to meet with the official delegate from Trinidad. We chatted the night with our youth colleagues from around the world–dreaming of a future that can be.
Recent Youth Climate Tweets
Poznan Diaries (December 2, 2008)
We reported to the COP 14 at 8:45 am for our participation in an international youth side action. Representatives from 50 countries stood at the entrance corridor in a disciplined queue showcasing different messages with their country flags. ‘Share our vision”, we called out in unison to the negotiators, UN observers, intergovernmental party members, journalists, NGO & business participants as they walked past us. We continued to echo our messages one by one till our time slot came to an end. “The youth of the world are cooperating, when are the political leaders going to join hands?”, “Fight disease, tech transfer funding, stop deforestation save our coral reefs, indigenous rights, adaptation fund, mitigation, save our forests, developed countries should take responsibility of their historical emissions.”
The youth movement had kick started with yet another powerful, energetic event which beckoned to the political leaders of the world. I felt charged up standing in the midst of the youth, voicing their slogans in a crescendo.
Another highlight of my personal experience in the conference was my role as the youth liaison to the UNFCCC Secretariat along with Line Kirk from Denmark. After the action in the morning, we went together to discuss with Maurice working under the UNFCCC Secretariat about the booking of meeting rooms for the youth. We were thrilled to know that the secretariat had agreed to give us a room (Aesculapian Snake) from 10am to 11am, everyday for us to assemble and have our youth meetings. This arrangement worked out very well for the youth as we all had a debrief in the morning before we launched our actions for the day as a youth movement.
I went to the stork plenary for a while to listen to the various parties talk about technology transfer, and provision for financial and technical support. While I glanced through the stork Plenary, I ran to hear the last 5 minutes of the European Union in a press conference. The representatives made a key note on technology and investment as hand in hand opportunities.
Inspite of not attending the full press conference it was extremely fruitful for a few representatives of the Indian Delegation to have a three minute chat with UNFCCC Secretary, Yvo de Boer, and confirm an appointment with him for the next day for 20 minutes for a one on one meeting with the India youth delegation . The Indian Youth Delegation were delighted to share this opportunity with the youth community and represent them with specific questions for Mr. De Boer .
While the excitement of our break through subsided I headed for a UNFCCC side event on the LEG/NAPA at 1:00 pm. It was an update on the work for the Least Developed countries Expert Group (LEG) and the status of implementation of National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) highlighting results of collaborating institutions. As per the definition of UNFCCC, NAPAs provide a process for LDCs to identify priority activities that respond to their urgent needs to adapt to climate change – those for which further delay would increase vulnerability and costs at a later stage. As of October 2008, the UNFCCC secretariat received NAPAs from 38 LDCs. As per the status from 2001, there had only been one NAPA project implemented in Bhutan. The reason why it was implemented was because the studies with regard to disaster risk, feasibility and assessment of costs were completed before hand by the infrastructure in Bhutan. In most developed countries this process is extremely time consuming. The discussion that followed the presentation voiced concerned opinions of many officials representing LDCs. They questioned the implementation strategies of NAPA, the reason in the delay of the implementation. Why did it take so long to implement one project since 2001? Why was it taking so long to implement NAPAs from 38 LDCs while there was a dire need for ground adaptation strategies? The board specified on the need for a comprehensive climate strategy at national level. There is a need to mainstream adaptation in all aspects of economy and society. There is also a dire need to establish a vital connection between traditional knowledge and the solutions for adaptation policies. There was also a need to define adaptation and streamline it in development.
Along with the side event, the international outreach group were active in organizing yet another international youth action at 1:15pm, ‘Meet and Treat,’ for government delegates entering the afternoon plenary session – offering traditional polish pastries together with an invitation for government delegates to meet with the youth.
At 3 pm I headed for the communications group meeting. We discussed a fresh angle to add to our discussions. We decided to have two press conferences oriented towards the youth. Another challenge was to get across the international youth message through our actions, particularly to the media and the country representatives. We also discussed various aspects of the working groups. There were to be liaisons from all the working groups. The liaisons were to meet every evening at 6pm and put together an amalgam of all activities and feedbacks from all working groups. They were further to report back to their individual groups and share information as to what was happening with the other groups.
At 3:30 pm I headed for the AD Hoc Working Group on Long Term Cooperative Action under the convention (AWG – LCA). This was a workshop on a shared vision for long term cooperative action.
The shared vision encompassed of mitigation and adaptation priority actions targeted country based. The idea was to build on a national level adaptation planning and implementation, building on existing processes and existing financial programs. Every country would have to prioritize in new and additional finance and investments.
The goal was to reach 350 ppm, below 1.5 Centigrade above pre–industrial levels. In reference to the baseline of 1990, the emissions reductions were to be more than 85% by 2050.
The goal of Annex 1 countries: reductions by 20% to 1990 levels by 2020 and more than 85% by 2050.
Japan was to achieve stabilisation of GHG concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climatic system. The suggestions were to incorporate innovation in day to day lifestyle, common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.
Dr Pradipto Ghosh, negotiator representing India stressed highly on per capita emissions and climate equity. He pin pointed on the ultimate goal of the shared vision. The method, the relevance of the method, the relevance of the provisions of Kyoto, cumulative emissions, historical emissions in a time frame of eco-systems, food production, economic development. “All the elements of ‘The Bali Action’ plan are comprehensive and interrelated. “
According to Dr Pradipto Ghosh, three relevant points include ;
The need of the hour would include deep reduction targets of 25%-40% by 2020 on the baseline of 1990. India stressed on equal rights to the common man, equal arrangements in Copenhagen wherein all parties should reach a consensus.
Ghana stressed on polluters pay principle, urgent precautionary measures, equity at an intra and inter generational level, access to ecological space, solution not limited to mitigation, adaptation, technology transfer and finance. Ultimately the global goal should be measurable, verifiable and reportable with the help of mitigation, adaptation, technology transfer and finance.
According to Brazil, an innovative approach on technology development was very important. Currently there is an implementation deficit. The shared vision would require a new cooperation approach determining responsibilities of the Annex 1 countries and non–Annex countries. The level of support would determine the action. However financing of projects wasn’t to depend solely on markets. It would demand scaling up of public sector funding on a concessional basis. Further adaptation would have to be country driven. Historical emissions were to be considered and each country would act accordingly with a view of the future.
Despite the fact that the workshop was extremely interesting, I had to rush to meet Joydeep with the Indo-Asian News Service to discuss our role as an Indian delegation. The article he published came in the Deccan Herald, Times of India, and a blog of news relating to Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
I ran to the UNFCCC office to book a press conference room. The theme of the youth press conference to take place on the 11th December, was to be “voices of the global youth.” Having fulfilled this, I attended a little of the negotiations in the Stork Plenary. While it was extremely interesting, I remember being very tired. At 6 pm we had our Indian youth delegation debrief session. We spoke about our busy day and each one shared their thoughts and ideas about the conference. It was a fruitful exercise since everybody clarified their misconceptions and problems if any. We also had the dinner reception on this day hosted by the Polish government for all participants. So it was great to look forward to good food and interactions during dinner time. We had the opportunity to meet with the official delegate from Trinidad. We chatted the night with our youth colleagues from around the world–dreaming of a future that can be.