Bali2007: Local Governments heading to Bali for the international climate change negotiations

Local governments from around the world actively participated in the Local Government Climate Sessions and the international climate change sessions that took place in Bali (Indonesia) during the second week of December.

10,000 delegates gathered at COP 13 during the first two weeks of Decmeber to continue the formal negotiations on a global response on climate change. Specifically, the ‘Bali Roadmap’ began in Bali, referring to the process of beginning negotiations on a new international climate change agreement for the post-Kyoto period. While COP 13 did not result in a fully negotiated and agreed climate deal, delegates agreed upon when the negotiations will conclude so that a new climate deal can be ratified before the end of 2012, when the Kyoto Protocol ends.

In his opening remarks, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer listed areas requiring urgent agreement: adaptation actions; the Adaptation Fund; a framework for technology cooperation; and initial actions to reduce emissions from deforestation. He also called for: leadership in creating a new energy future; bold action in the North to fuel clean growth in the South; collective responsibility in using fossil fuels without destroying the environment; and the prioritization of adaptation.

The action and leadership taken by local governments across the world to advance climate protection is recognized as leading the strongest potential for effective and swift reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Local governments present at COP 13 - representing ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, C-40, United Cities and Local Governments, the US Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement, and the World Mayors Council on Climate Change – plan to advocate for urgent agreements as called for by the UNFCCC Executive Secretary, and to advocate for local governments creating, with their national governments, this new energy future.

To view the negotiations from a local government perspective, we invite you to visit www.iclei.org for a link to the daily report from Bali, where you will also be able to view media releases and interviews. ICLEI’s website will also have links to live webcasts of local government side events, launches and press conferences being held during the second week of COP 13, from 10 to 14 December.