Tuvalu -- first islands to go are the last ones standing on procedure at COP15

Lisa Williams-Lahari, Climate Pasifika media
Saturday 19 December 2009, COPENHAGEN-- Hours before the COP15 closed on Saturday afternoon, Tuvalu's lead negotiator Ian Fry was still one of the lone Pacific voices at the Bella Centre venue. Fry red-flagged the agenda item which saw him hit the international headlines early last week. The controversial agenda item 5 had been submitted according to the UNFCCC COP rules of procedure but a request for the set up of a transparent contact group process rather than informal consultations planned by the COP15 President led to the Day 2 suspension of the COP.
On Day 13, as the plenary struggled through text of the working group on Long term cooperative actions, Tuvalu put up its hand to note the outstanding agenda item 5 and proposed adding the words legally binding to a paragraph referred to as L6. That sparked a back and forth row between countries against and in support of the additions; before discussion on the item was deferred to a contact group of 'interested parties 'in the wings of the plenary.
By the end of the meeting at 2.30 local time, Ambassador Colin Beck, presiding over the COP, said the agenda item 5 had not been able to be addressed and would be put on the provisional agenda of COP16 as per rules of procedure. For WWF International's Diane McFadzien, the lack of process and transparency has been disappointing. (see below)
TRANSCRIPT: Diane McFadzien, WWF International, COP veteran-- legitimately-produced draft texts on the table. Tuvalu's included. But the limelight given to Tuvalu which allowed AOSIS to highlight its concerns to global media and the COP stage owed much to the efforts of one lone negotiator. Ian Fry has had to couple the pressures of negotiations at COP and a duty to Tuvalu with a wave of hate-publicity back home in Australia and diplomatic bullying aimed at his exclusion from advising his leaders.  It's built a wave of anti-Australia perceptions amongst the Pacific officials still smarting from their treatment at the Forum and CHOGM and earned him the sympathy and respect of many in AOSIS, and especially of his team.

I mean that's been a major disappointment . Under the Convention there is an element in there which allows you to put forth protocols saying you must do so six months in advance. Tuvalu followed all the correct legal procedures, and it put it on the table six months in advance. It was made availabel to all the parties, it was put on the website, everyone could access it, but here, nobody's given it the time of day.

Tuvalu has been amongst the most vocal Pacific nations against the Copenhagen Accord, already widely perceived as being some kind of Outcomes document for COP15. More questions and confusion were the tone of today's to and fro on process and rules of procedure, which eventually showed that the Accord has only been noted by COP, not adopted by it. However given its powerful backing and a list of disenchanted countries whose leaders want to save face at home, the Accord is likely to gain credibility unless COP does a massive awareness-raising exercise on its
Said one prominent Tuvalu activist:

"We're proud of what Ian Fry has done for Tuvalu. He's put us on the map when all the developed countries here seem determined to wipe us off the face of the Earth. He is a valued member of our team, and I feel sorry for all the treatment he's received just because he stood up for people who need help to stand up at these big meetings."

TRANSCRIPT: Ian Fry, Tuvalu negotiator, COP15
LWL: Being Australian and on the side of the Pacific nations who all of a sudden despite the Pacific Forum solidarity, now face being across the room in terms of position from Australia and NZ, what's that like?
Ian Fry: Well obviously it's difficult. I've been working for the Tuvalu government the last 11 years and trying to do my best for the Tuvalu government. But it's obviously difficult. There's been a lot of pressure put on me personally in the recent days about my situation, being an Australian working for the Tuvalu government. --ENDS

Gender@COP15: more awareness needed, says former FSM Attorney-General

Lisa Williams-Lahari, Climate Pasifika Media
Friday 19 December 2009, COPENHAGEN--They were loud and proud at the NGO Clima Forum held outside the official COP15 venue where Fiji's Ashwini Prahba, now of WWF International was a powerful part of the lobbying. They were visible and strong at the side events and planning sessions of the Gender caucuses within the wings of COP15, where Pacific WAVE Coordinator Ulamila Wragg presented on a panel alongside Mary Robinson. But overall, COP15 was a copout for gender activists who wanted to see specific and stronger language  to highlight the vulnerability of women and children, and the social injustices deepened by the impact of climate change. Meanwhile, for FSM-based lawyer and activist Marstella Jack, the largest challenge when it comes to gender and climate change remains awareness at ground zero to drive the messages home. The former Attorney-General of FSM spent two decades with women and gender issues in the public service before making the switch to private practice, NGOism where she currently sits on the Climate Action Network's board of directors. She says we need to step up on gender issues and how they affect human and food security in changing climate conditions:

TRANSCRIPT: Marstella Jack, Lawyer, Climate change activist, FSM

Marstella Jack: In the Pacific we have the problem of women being marginalised, not women -- but our issues, our women's issues. We have that problem so to add on climate change just exacerbates the development issues that affect women. So I think we also need to sensitise our leaders about this dynamic of climate change and gender. We have a lot of work ahead of us and I hope we can get all right people in the pacific and in our island countries to do this and partner up with the government, with our leaders to work on this.


(On the questions of awareness by our Pacific women and climate change as a cross cutting issues):


Their understanding on climate change?The issue itself is that ''oh, something is changing in the atmostphere, it's getting hot, hotter these days"... but thats the limit of what they know about climate change. They dont understand the cross cutting issues with respect to how its affecting our health, with respect to how it's affecting how we collect food, how we plant or how we basically provide for our families...subsistence living. They have very little if any understanding of climate change and how it affects our daily lives in the Pacific. I think they also understand that the sea level is rising but that's about it. I think we need a lot of empowerment work to get to our women, to get to the grass roots.--ENDS

COPfusion reigns as Accord debate eats at process and final hours.

Lisa Williams-Lahari, Climate Pasifika media
Saturday 19 December 2009, COPENHAGEN-- While Venezuela, Bolivia and other countries stood to stop the Copenhagen Accord from gaining credibility as a COP15 'compromise' text and the US said the first paragraph made it a COP position, the arguments dragged on between process and compromise.  The non-binding accord, delivered in the wings of a COP meeting and outside of text offered up within COP's own rules and processes, was put before COP by the US and a handful of countries within COP's 193-nations attending.
Despite the recorded decision of COP that the meeting would only take note of the Accord, world headlines are already creating the perception the Accord is the outcome of the most historic climate change meeting in history.
The accord is outside of the formal UNFCCC process and therefore cannot feature as the basis for any legally binding platform under COP rules and procedures, said Bolivia in a session chaired by temporary COP President Colin Beck of the Solomon Islands; who had to close and then re-open debate on the issue.
While it was confirmed that the Accord was not a consensus, nor adopted by the COP, who only noted it, some countries referred to it as if it were a lifeline of sorts when looking for some outcomes.
"I always said we were going to seal a deal at Copenhagen. Not just any deal, but a fair deal and a just deal. History will judge what kind of a deal that is," said AOSIS chair Ambassador Dessima Williams in her final comments to COP15.
Apologising to constituent members of AOSIS who felt "betrayed and hurt" by the decision of Grenada, as AOSIS chair, to back the Copenhagen Accord, Williams said," while we negotiate, yield and compromise, our fundamental right of our people to survive and develop remains our bedrock. And so we go, forced to work for 1.5 because that is the maximum threshold that will allow us to plan for survival, and sustainable development."
Papua New Guinea and other Pacific leaders who have decided, some reluctantly and others quietly, to go along with a Copenhagen outcome -- the nature of which many were still confused over at midday on Saturday.
PNG's Kevin Conraud, noting that while the Copenhagen Accord noted by COP15 "is not perfect", focussed on small next steps for countries who have allied themselves to it: it supports a two-track framework for climate change work and allows for a quick start funding mechanism. 
Conraud called on the UNFCCC secretariat to move on an offer from Ethiopia to convene a HLM event. From the AOSIS perspective, any chance to keep discussing the Accord allows space to ensure island state members might be able to turn it around.
"We ask you to turn this accord into the promise it offers," said Ambassador Williams, "It must live up to what it set out to do. It must move and give us back a maximum temperature increase of 1.5 and not 2 degrees. It must give us back all the Bali Action Plan language we value, and must give us legally binding outcomes. But most of all we call on those who have the ability to do so, to deliver the financing. This was never about financing, certainly for AOSIS, but we acknowledge there are many states parties for whom financing for climate change is critical and therefore we expect the Copenhagen Accord will deliver," she said.
"It is almost 18 days since our delegations arrived into Copenhagen, renamed Hopenhagen. We came seeking to advance the cause of our island states, for our survival, development and existence. It's too early to take stock of whether we succeeded or failed. We lost many things along the way, and hopefully we gained some. We lost our vigorous commitment from other parties on 1.5 degrees. We were not able to secure a legally binding agreement outcome or mid term targets and many other contributions critical to survival and success of this conference," Williams said.
The 22 heads of state from AOSIS region and many scores of negotiators tasked with being diplomatic bridge builders had much work to do towards the next COP, said Williams.
-ENDS

Cook Islands@COP15: Kia Orana - may we all live on

Ulamila Wragg, contributing writer, Climate Pasifika

Wednesday 16 December 2009, COPENHAGEN--Prime Minister Jim Marurai has called on world leaders “to put words into serious action” with a fair and legally-binding agreement out of the United Nations Conference of the Parties on Climate Change, underway in Copenhagen.
In a powerful speech (full text below) appealing to the emotions of world leaders, Marurai took the podium at the Bella Centre in Copenhagen with greetings of kia orana.
“I address you today to bring to the leaders of the world the plea of my people that they may continue to “live on” in their own country for generations to come,” Marurai said adding that the Cook Islands and its people are paying dearly for something that is not their making.
“To the Cook Islands people this conference represents hope – ‘Hopenhagen’ for the hope of my people who are already experiencing the adverse effects of climate change – the loss of their homes, loss of their foods’ sources, their churches, the graves of their departed ones, and fearful for the impending loss of their land and therefore their livelihoods, culture, identity and sense of belonging as a people,” he told the 119 heads of state and government participating at the climate summit in Copenhagen, ranking the summit among the world's largest ever.

The 119 heads of state and government represent countries that account for 89-percent of the world's Gross Domestic Product, 82-percent of the world's population and 86-percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Included in the 119 countries are the 20 largest economies and the top 15 greenhouse gas emitters in the world
Marurai reminded world leaders that the Cook Islands has contributed very little to the problem of climate change, “yet we are paying so dearly for it”.
“The science is clear. What more evidence do we need? Even the pledges on the table right now do not guarantee the future of our children,” he said.
"Each year, the world comes together with the intention of moving forward on climate change. Almost two decades later, the talking has not delivered enough.
“Now is the time to put words into serious action … let the cry of the world be heard in Copenhagen and turn hope into certainty.
“My people want a fair, legally binding agreement from this Conference – an agreement that would secure a meaningful reduction in emissions, and guarantee support for adaptation to the adverse impacts of climate change.
"We stand to lose everything. But this loss and damage is morally unacceptable, and humanly unjust. I have come a long way to give you this message. And it will be a long journey home to tell my people that this plea for their future survival has fallen on deaf ears.”
Marurai returns home on Friday.--ENDS

COOK ISLANDS SPEECH AT COP15 PLENARY

Mr. President, thank you for this opportunity to address this very important conference.
Your Excellencies, distinguished delegates – I extend to you greetings in my language: Kia Orana. Literally, these words of greeting mean: “may you live on”. Kia Orana expresses the hope that not only one as an individual lives on but that one’s lineage also lives on into the future. So once again let me greet the world by saying: “Kia Orana, may we ALL live on”.
Mr. President, I address you today to bring to the leaders of the world the plea of my people that they may continue to “live on” in their own country for generations to come.  At the outset, the Cook Islands supports the statements made by Grenada on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States – AOSIS. To the Cook Islands people this conference represents hope – ‘Hopenhagen’ for the hope of my people who are already experiencing the adverse effects of climate change – the loss of their homes, loss of their foods’ sources, their churches, the graves of their departed ones, and fearful for the impending loss of their land and therefore their livelihoods, culture, identity and sense of belonging as a people.
Mr. President, the Cook Islands has contributed very little to the problem of Climate Change. Yet we are paying so dearly for it. The science is clear. What more evidence do we need? Even the pledges on the table right now do not guarantee the future of our children.
Each year, the world comes together with the intention of moving forward on Climate Change. Almost two decades later, the talking has not delivered enough.
Now is the time. Now is the time to put words into serious action. Sadly Mr. President, from what I have been hearing, some parties are not willing to respect our right – our right to survive.
My people want a fair, legally binding agreement from this Conference – an agreement that would secure a meaningful reduction in emissions, and guarantee support for adaptation to the adverse impacts of climate change. We stand to lose everything. But this loss and damage is morally unacceptable, and humanly unjust.
I have come a long way to give you this message. And it will be a long journey home to tell my people that this plea for their future survival has fallen on deaf ears.
The opportunity is now. Let the cry of the world be heard in Copenhagen and turn hope into certainty. Say “yes” now to a fair and legally-binding agreement.
Kia orana e kia manuia.--ENDS

INsideINsights@COP15: Geoffrey Smith, Fiji

Climate Pasifika media team
Copenhagen, 15 December - After 11 years at Fiji Television journalist Geoffrey Smith is a seasoned reporter on what's happening with climate change in his own country and region. Here in Copenhagen at his first COP meeting, Smith shares insights from behind the lens:

YourVoices@COP15-- Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator

Lisa Williams Lahari, Freelance reporter, Climate Pasifika team.

Copenhagen, 14 December - Climate Pasifika Reporter Lisa Williams Lahari spent time with the UNDP Administrator, Helen Clark this morning - we bring you the transcript and the video.


Transcript:
LWL: UNDP is embedded in Pacific development  - we all want to know - what's your position on 1.5 and 350?   
Clark: We're a multilateral organisation so we are not negotiating but we are here to support our friends to get the best deal they can because its a development issue and that's our position. It's a development issue.
LWL: But whatever comes out of COP is going to affect the Pacific; whatever comes out of here UNDP has to live with in it's Pacific work.
Clark: Absolutely. That's why we're saying we're here to step up efforts, so if we can get this fast-track funding moving...there's so much to do, so much to do.

LWL:  Pushing for a legally binding agreement or just having to live with whatever comes out of COP?
Clark: I think they're still a long way from a legally binding text - that's the problem. But there has to be a legally binding text. Whether it's here or at some point, it can't just drift on...really I think the critical thing is if the legally binding text isn't completed til next year the money on the fast track still has to come...
LWL: You've said that this is an extraordinarily serious development issue. What's the extraordinary approach thats going to be needed to get the answers?
Clark: There has to be obviously radical action in industrialised countries to get emissions down, that's number one and secondly the cash has to flow to help developing countried to adapt and mitigate ...It's not rocket science aye."

YourVoices@COP15 -- Malia Nobrega, Hawaii

From Hawaii to Copenhagen: Aloha! Malia Nobrega www.indigenousportal.com

TRANSCRIPT: Aloha! My name is Malia Nobrega and I work with an NGO based in Hawaii participating with indigenous people-- the main thing coming out of the indigenous people's caucus is the need for resprect for indigenous people's rights: in reference to our lands,
territories and culture; our traditional practices... so we're just trying to make sure that states are looking at climate change and remembering that people have rights.
Q: You're here as part of 20,000 other delegates trying to get their point across. How are you making sure you will be heard?
Nobrega: I think we have a strong delegation here of Indigenous people from around the world -- not just from Hawaii or just from around the Pacific. You know, we have brothers and sisters that are joining together as a caucus and coming up with our consensus points. And today we will be lobbying the different governments to share our points.
Q: Today being such a special day (Human Rights Day) what's your message to people?
Nobrega: For all of us in the Pacific, we know the reality of climate change...so when our culture disappears it's a part of us disappearing. And we want to make sure that we are there for generations to come and also for our people that are living today...so Aloha! ENDS

InsideInsights@COP15: climatepacific digital postcards

Climate Pacific media team, Friday 11 December 2009 -- Never has a UN conference been the focus of so much media and activist attention, and while Denmark marvels at its own hosting of the 1,400 journalists who have converged on Copenhagen this week, it's a historic moment for Pacific media too. Here in numbers aimed at making a difference via the internet, a Climate Pasifika media team led by SPREP's Nanette Woonton, a former Cook Islands TV News Director, is helping to keep the home newsrooms informed on how Pacific /AOSIS negotiations are progressing. Woonton is our inaugural 'insider' as we launch a daily series of digital postcards offering InsideInsights from pacific journos covering COP15.  Got any burning questions, input and ideas for our Pacific leaders and teams here in Copenhagen?  Send an Email

Samoas adaptation measures featured at COP15

Samoas integrated approach to adaptation was featured at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark this week. Anne Rasmussen (pictured), Principal Climate Change Officer for the Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment presented Samoas case today at the Global Environment Facility (GEF) address to the Conference. She said: "We are one of the very vulnerable contries, a small island state in the Pacific and we see this project as a very hands on, on the ground project that will help the people of Samoa adapt to climate change." Samoa signed Kyoto on the 16th of March 1998, and was accepted for ratification on the 27th of November 2000. Samoa submitted its first national communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1999. Anne says: "The Samoa story is that not only have we developed our NAPA, we have already done the plans, and identified the 9 projects, community driven. We are now

coming to see the implementation of these projects. The project integrated adaptation itno the agriculture sector and health." Samoa was one of the first countries to receive funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) under the Least Developed Country Fund to develop its National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA). After two years of information and data collection, as well as countrywide consultations, Samoa’s NAPA preparation project

reported the achievement of it's objectives. One such success included the realisation that climate change involved more than one sector. "We do not see climate change as just an environmental issue, it is a cross cutting issue and plans get passed on all other sectors. We see an integrated approach on all sectors as not only unique but important," Anne said.

The Global Environment Facility commended the efforts of Samoa in complying with terms of the funding and said islands should follow suit. The ‘Samoa Climate Change Synthesis Report: National Adaptation Programme of Action 2004’ also created links to other multilateral agreements like the the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). According to MNRE a nationally driven set of criteria for priorities in climate change adaptation has also been developed. MNRE reports that the development of Samoa’s NAPA was an good learning experience for all those involved, particularly the National Climate Change Country Team (NCCCT) and National Task Team (NTT). According to Rasmussen:"By adopting an integrated approach, all the relevant stakeholders both in government and non-government organizations have been able to work hand in hand to ensure that those whose livelihoods are most vulnerable to adverse impacts of climate change impart the urgency and immediacy of the adaptation needs."--ENDS

Cherelle Jackson
Climate Pasifika Media team
Environment Weekly