 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Outcomes of the Copenhagen Climate Talks
2009/12/21
Over 1100 local government leaders from all over the world were present at COP 15 in Copenhagen, Denmark, to advocate for a strong and comprehensive post-2012 global climate agreement and for the recognition of local and sub-national governments therein. ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability facilitated this important advocacy work by organising meetings with national delegations in the Local Government Climate Lounge, local government interventions in UNFCCC plenaries and submissions to the official negotiating text. The Local Government Lounge served as a unique meeting space and advocacy base for Local Governments to interact with their national government, with other national governments, with other local governments, development agencies, NGOs and the international press.
In a statement to National delegates, local governments put forth a strong declaration of support for a successful COP15. The strong and common message is that national governments should see local governments as partners in action and that national government must engage with, empower and resource local governments in this common fight against climate change. More and more organisations and leaders are supporting ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability’s efforts, including UN-HABITAT and the IPCC. Sir Nicholas Stern is just one example of this support. See the ‘ICLEI time for real questions’ page for more.
The Africa Secretariat organised an ‘Africa Day’, entitled Mobilising African Local Governments to Energy and Climate Change Action, and a ‘Biodiversity Day’, entitled Climate Change and Biodiversity Linkages, on the 7 and 9 December, respectively. Attendees at these events included cities and local governments, partners and national government delegates. Press statements from both days are available; Africa Day and Biodiversity Day. Alf Wills, one of South Africa’s chief negotiators, attended Africa Day and indicated his support for local government efforts towards climate change.
The Copenhagen Climate Summit for Mayors took place in Copenhagen from 14-17th of December, during the COP15 climate talks. This high-level event attracted mayors from various cities from all over the world. They presented case studies of their local climate mitigation actions and showed how far cities have come when tackling the issue of climate change. Mayors were presented with the First Assessment Report on Climate Change in Cities, the outcome of a years work by 45 scientists. The Report “makes clear that urban areas are vulnerable to changing climatic conditions in ways which make the risks their populations face complex and multi-faceted. Understanding the nature of these threats, the strategies necessary to address them, and where information gaps exist is crucial.” Mexico City mayor, Marcelo Ebrard, was voted to lead the World Council of Mayors on Climate Change. Mexico City will host the 16th session of the UNFCCC conference of the Parties later next year.
For more on the Copenhagen Climate Summit for Mayors and the Report
The UNFCCC COP15 high level segment was concluded last week with a non-binding agreement by countries, called the ‘Copenhagen Accord’. South Africa joined discussions with other leaders of the United States, China, India, Brazil and South Africa and major European countries to finalise the commitments within the Copenhagen Accord. The main outcomes of the Copenhagen climate change talks can be found on the UNFCCC webpage.
Briefing the press at the end of the two-week conference, Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, said an accord has been reached that has significant elements, but that is not legally binding. “The key points of the accord include the objective to keep the maximum temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius; the commitment to list developed country emission reduction targets and mitigation action by developing countries for 2020; USD 30 billion short-term funding for immediate action till 2012 and USD 100 billion annually by 2020 in long-term financing, as well as mechanisms to support technology transfer and forestry. The challenge now is to turn what is agreed into something that is legally binding in Mexico one year from now.”
Biodiversity and Climate Change Inextricably Linked
2009/12/11
On the 9 December 2009, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability hosted an afternoon ‘Biodiversity Session’ in the Local Government LOUNGE, in the Bella Centre in Denmark, during the COP15 climate change talks. The event was facilitated by ICLEI Africa Secretariat Director, Kobie Brand. She announced ICLEI’s intent to launch a new global mobilisation initiative, ‘The Local Government Biodiversity Roadmap’. This initiative will advocate for the adoption of a comprehensive Plan of Action for Local Biodiversity Action at the UN CBD COP10, set to take place in Nagoya, Japan in October 2010. More »
African Local Governments speak up at Copenhagen
2009/12/08
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability hosted the ‘Africa Day’ in the Local Government LOUNGE in the Bella Centre on the afternoon of the 7 December 2009. Attendees at event included various ICLEI members, partner organisations, members of the press, local governments from across the world and national government representatives.
Key messages arising from various presentations include the need for bold and up-scaled local action. Attendees recognized that local governments will be the leaders that take the initiative in defining a new future where community resilience, social justice and environmental sustainability are foremost on the agenda.
For a comprehensive overview of the day, download the press statement.
Also download the African Local Government Declaration on Climate Change.
This Declaration was presented at the event by Counsellor Agnes Ntlhangula, Chairperson of the Health and Social Development Committee, Sol Plaatje Municipality, South Africa.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu urges the world’s leaders to make a stand
2009/12/07
In an address to the international community, Archbishop Desmond Tutu urges decision-makers to take a stand on climate change: “The final measure of a generation’s courage is the memory of what they have done. We must live in memory as the generation that pulled humanity back from the brink of catastrophic climate change…Now it is time to listen to our consciences. There is a clear moral imperative to tackle the cause of global warming.” View the Archbishop's address here.
South Africa commits to carbon emissions reductions targets
2009/12/07
According to a press release from the South African National Government, over the next 10 years South Africa has committed to reduce emissions by 34% from ‘business as usual,’ the level they would reach under ordinary circumstances. By 2025 this figure will peak at 42%, effectively levelling off and thereafter begining to decline. For more from the National Government, see the latest press release.
Landmark climate change conference starts today
2009/12/07
Today marks the start of the Conference of the Parties 15 in Copenhagen, Denmark. This is a landmark conference in many ways, with over 100 governments and heads of state expected to attend. ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability – and various cities and local governments from all around the globe will be speaking up during Copenhagen, urging the world’s leaders to agree to a strong and comprehensive global agreement. Find the latest press release from Copenhagen.