Delivering on the fast start finance will rebuild lost confidence, Yvo de Boer

By Makereta Komai for Climate Pasifika in Bonn, Germany

07 June 2010, Bonn, Germany --- Delivering on the US$30 billion fast start finance can help rebuild the trust and confidence lost between industrialised countries and the developing nations in Copenhagen, said Yvo de Boer, the outgoing executive secretary of the UNFCCC Secretariat.

Speaking to journalists at the start of the second week of climate change negotiations here in Bonn, de Boer said developing countries need to see that the prompt start finance begin to flow.

“It’s important that industrialised countries make that money available as a motion of confidence in the promotion of partnership towards developing countries.

“Secondly, we need to get clarity on how that US$100 billion is going to be mobilised until 2020, said de Boer.

Currently, the $30 billion promised in Copenhagen has attracted pledges that have almost reached its target.

To date, the European Union (EU), Japan, the United States and Australia have made commitments to the Fund. Half of that amount has come from Japan, who has pledged US$15 billion for the next two years, until 2012.

But there are concerns that some of these donors are demanding that it be disbursed as loans and not as grants.

“Japan, I believe is making a portion of its funds to be available as loan, since its providing about half of the total committed funds. But at the end of the day, the $30 billion was conceived as a grant and not a loan.  For fast start finance to achieve its goal, I think it should be distributed as a grant and not as a loan, said de Boer.

The initial fast start finance will be targeted at least developed countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing Countries (SIDS).

“There is a general agreement that the funds be fed through existing institutions like the World Bank and United Nations Development Fund. Given past experiences, developing countries would like a new financial mechanism directly under the control of the convention but industrialised nations oppose this proposal.

Since the funds are likely to be delivered by different financial institutions and not within the existing convention financing mechanism, there will be different criteria for accessing the fast start finance, said de Boer.

“Right now, the challenge is to find middle ground – it might be found in creating a new body under the convention that will provide oversight in the area of financial support, suggested the UN climate chief.

De Boer was answering questions on the status of the negotiations.

“The talks here in Bonn are taking place in a very constructive, transparent and inclusive atmosphere. While the chair has made some progress on the technical issues, a number of hot political issues still need to be addressed.

Secondly, there needs to be clear leadership on the part of industrialised countries on their emissions target.

“If you look at the climate science, the commitments are not ambitious enough. What countries have offered since Copenhagen is not nearly enough to get you into the 25-40 percent range. Clearly we need to see greater ambition on the part of industrialised countries.

This reluctance, he said is making vulnerable nations nervous.

“The major concern is that there is too little action from industrialised nations and some emerging developing nations that will translate into the extinction of some island countries.

“The Copenhagen Accord talks about a maximum of 2 degrees in temperature increase, with a review in 2015 – whether that is adequate or we need to raise the level of ambition is something that negotiations here need to discuss and resolve before Cancun.”

An analysis of the current negotiations by Climate Action Network International puts the maximum global temperature at 4 degrees by 2100 – which will lead to catastrophic climate change impacts.

For Mexico, de Boer hopes to see a conclusion of the Bali Roadmap.

“It’s my personal hope that a practical and operational architecture will be ready by Cancun that will pave the way for an agreement that will be turned into a legally binding agreement under the convention.”

“What we need is architecture for mitigation, adaptation, technology, finance, capacity building and reducing emissions from reafforestation and degradation (REDD).

Two one week long negotiations are planned for 02-06 August and October before the Conference of the Parties meets in Cancun from 28 November – 10 December.

Ms Komai will be covering the Bonn Climate Change negotiations from 31 May – 11 June 2010, thanks to support from Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). She will provide daily coverage of the negotiations via PACNEWS and the SPREP website www.sprep.org, the climate pasifika blogspot, http://climatepasifika.blogspot.com and the PINA Green page http://green.pina.com.fj/

Negotiations on track for 4 degrees rise in global temperatures

Press Release from Climate Action Network International

07 June 2010, Bonn, Germany – A week after UN climate talks in Bonn, Germany, civil society organisations around the globe have released a statement saying the world is on track for a 4 degrees increase in temperatures by 2100.

The NGOs under the umbrella of the Climate Action Network (CAN) International made their analysis based on the state of negotiations currently underway in Bonn.

The analysis revealed grave concerns that the negotiations are headed toward a world with no meaningful international agreement to control climate change.

“Such a system would lead to 4 degrees of warming and catastrophic climate change impacts, according to a joint statement issued by the group of NGOs.

Many rich countries are seeking to replace the current system in place to tackle the problem – doing away with the legally binding Kyoto Protocol and replacing it with a weaker system, which is based on pledges.

“The system advanced by many developed countries offers the worst of both worlds – a system with no science based targets for developed countries and with inadequate pledges, expansive loopholes and carbon markets allowing them to shift the burden further to poor countries, said Meena Raman from Third World Network.

Matthew Stilwell of the Institute of Governance and Sustainable Development if the European Union backs down on the Kyoto Protocol, ‘that would be disaster for international law and the planet.’

The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance said the negotiations need to be open and accessible.

“It is deeply concerning that the Bali Roadmap is not being honoured and that the vulnerable countries are being sidelined, said Mithika Mwenda.

Q&A Session with Marstella Jack

Federated States of Micronesia has included civil society representation on its delegation here in Bonn for the climate change talks. Marstella Jack, the island’s former Attorney General and activist explains to Climate Pasifika’s Makereta Komai her specific role in the negotiations.

Marstella: I am part of the Federated States of Micronesia government delegation. That’s the beauty of climate change negotiations in the Pacific – it brings the government and civil societies together and we are on the same page. We are here to support our government’s position to keep a tab of hundreds of meetings that are happening simultaneously.

Q: So, as an NGO, what are the issues you are pursuing at this climate change talks in Bonn?

Marstella:  I am here as part of Climate Action Network International, working with CCAN (Cook Islands Climate Action Network) and TUCAN (Tuvalu Climate Action Network) to establish a regional Climate action Network.  The issues that we follow will have to be aligned with CAN’s interests.  Last year we had some difficulties, the overall position of CAN was 2.0 degrees average in global temperature and as you know we were advocating for 1.5 degrees. That has changed now.

Q: How did you do that?

Marstella: After so many reports that have now come out, CAN International has now realised that they  need to readjust their position but the overarching issues that we follow is really issues that are coming from developing countries – on finance, mitigation, adaptation, capacity building. So it’s an advantage for us in the Pacific, we have such weak civil societies. There is really no NGO or group that is dedicated solely to climate change work in the Pacific, I may be wrong but there is none right now. We have some environmental NGOs that include CC in their work but not necessarily dedicated to climate change per say.

I have drafted the articles and charter of the association and we are looking at registering it in Tuvalu. Once that is done, we will need to look for funds to get a co-ordinator on board. At the same time, we should consider applying for observer status at the Pacific Islands Forum.

Q: How far have you advanced discussions here in Bonn for the setting up of a CAN in the Pacific?

Marstella: I have good responses from CCAN and TUCAN. Now we have Kiribati expressing interest to join us. They’ve given us the go ahead to set up what we call a regional node. It’s just our laid back attitude in the Pacific that we are taking our time to set up. We want to get that done when Kiribati comes on board. I have approached the Marshal Islands and a lady in the delegation is keen on the idea. If we get the Pacific node up and running, new organisations can then join us.

Q: How many Pacific countries do you need to express interest to join before you can operate?

Marstella: Just two or three really and we can start. I have enough right now but it’s better to have more from the rest of the Pacific Islands so that we become inclusive and representative of the whole region, more so the low lying islands of Marshalls, Tuvalu and Kiribati. We want them to be involved because they need to be the ones carrying the torch for us in the region. We should be able to get that done this year, hopefully before August. I am waiting for Reverend Lusama to get back to me on the charter and to see what we need to do before we register in Tuvalu as a regional organisation. This is issue focused but when you look at climate change, it is cross cutting. If we can get this up and running, then we can partner up with other organisations. This is the first time that we have to come together to say enough is enough. We need to be very focused, strong and build our capacity. Climate change demands us as NGOs and governments to come together to demand action from the polluters.

Q: From your observations here and previous negotiations, do you think our Pacific negotiators are doing enough?

Marstella:  I am wearing a government badge but it is safe for me to say no.  Even my government can say no.  Sometimes we want to make some positions but we have to go back to capitals.  And people back home are talking to the Chinese, the Australians and other major donors and this becomes difficult.  We are looking at ways to say look this is our only issue. You think of any development issue and climate change is impacting on it.

I think the problem is really capacity to understand the issues. When I came here last year I was overwhelmed with the issues discussed here. I thought I could handle it but it was too overwhelming I had to do a lot of reading to understand what they are talking about. I am privileged to be part of CAN network because they have experts in the different areas that we can benefit from. They understand our limitations and are willing to help us with capacity building. If not for Tuvalu, our voice would be non-existent at these kinds of negotiations. I am so proud of Tuvalu. My government also has a strong position on this. We have told our government do not even turn your head to the Copenhagen Accord.

Q: Your government has not signed up to the Copenhagen Accord?

Marstella: We just think it’s full of baloney. It’s not what we are after and does not have what we are after.

Q: How about the argument that this is at least a starting point for an agreement?

Marstella: A starting point for what? The current pledges right now are as much as 4 degrees...is that the starting point? The current pledges are not ambitious enough. We are selling ourselves short if we accept the Accord and unfortunately some of our countries in the region have. That is why there needs to be recognition in the region that climate region is the only thing we have.

Q: Is it then strong political leadership that we need to have?

Marstella: Definitely, that is what we need. When they heard the $100 billion, for us in the Pacific that is a lot of money. But if you look at all developing countries, our organisation calculated that it comes down to $20 per person, if you were to divide that amongst all developing countries. What are you going to do with $20? As you know what happened in Cairns, Australia, the climate change position our Leaders came up with was pretty atrocious and now we find out there was breakdown of communications. This is an issue that we as civil societies need to partner with government to attack the issue. I came with my delegation and offered my services to them. I am an attorney and told them if you need me to help out, just tell me. For me to have this badge and access these meetings has helped to build my capacity. Climate change is an issue that we cannot be screaming at each other from opposing sides.

Ms Komai will be covering the Bonn Climate Change negotiations from 31 May – 11 June 2010, thanks to support from Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). She will provide daily coverage of the negotiations via PACNEWS and the SPREP website www.sprep.org, the climate pasifika blogspot, http://climatepasifika.blogspot.com and the PINA Green page http://green.pina.com.fj/

Influential Climate Action Network to set up office in the Pacific

By Makereta Komai of Climate Pasifika in Bonn, Germany

06 June 2010, Bonn, Germany – Moves are afoot to set up a Pacific arm of the influential Climate Action Network (CAN), a worldwide network of about 500 non-governmental organisations across the globe that promotes action on climate change.

Initial ground work discussions have been advanced here in Bonn during the climate change talks.

Leading the Pacific charge is former attorney general of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and climate change activist, Marstella Jack.

“I am part of the FSM government delegation and that’s the beauty of climate change negotiations for us in the Pacific. It brings the government and civil societies together to be on the same page, Jack said.

Cook Islands and Tuvalu are keen to set up their climate action network organisations, said Jack.

“Now we have Kiribati expressing interest to join us. They’ve given us the go ahead to set up what we call a regional node. It’s just our laid back attitude in the Pacific that we are taking our time to set up.

“I have approached Marshall Islands and a lady in the delegation is keen on the idea. If we get the Pacific node up and running, new organisations can then join us, said Jack.

CAN International has had to revise its position on the global temperature to enable membership from the Pacific

“Last year we had some difficulties, the overall position of CAN was 2.0 degrees average in global temperature and as you know we were advocating for 1.5 degrees. That has changed now.

“After the release of many scientific reports, CAN International has now realised that they need to readjust their position.”

A charter of the association for the new climate change NGO in the Pacific is now ready to be registered.

“We are looking at registering it in Tuvalu. Once that is done, we will need to look for funds to get a co-ordinator on board. At the same time, we should consider applying for observer status at the Pacific Islands Forum”, said Jack.

Kiribati, Jack said, has also expressed its interest to join CAN Pacific.

“We have enough right now but it’s better to have more from the rest of the Pacific Islands so that we become inclusive and representative of the whole region, more so the low lying islands of Marshalls, Tuvalu and Kiribati. We want them to be involved because they need to be the ones carrying the torch for us in the region.”

Climate Action Network Pacific will be focused on climate change and its cross cutting issues, said Jack.

“This is the first time that we have to come together to say enough is enough. We need to be focused, strong and build the capacity of members. Climate change demands us as NGOs and governments to come together to demand action from the polluters.

CAN members promote information exchange and coordinate development of NGO strategy on international, regional, and national climate issues. It has seven regional offices which co-ordinate these efforts in Africa, Australia, Central and Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Latin America, North America, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Its vision is to protect the atmosphere while allowing for sustainable and equitable development worldwide.

Ms Komai will be covering the Bonn Climate Change negotiations from 31 May – 11 June 2010, thanks to support from Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). She will provide daily coverage of the negotiations via PACNEWS and the SPREP website www.sprep.org, the climate pasifika blogspot, http://climatepasifika.blogspot.com and the PINA Green page http://green.pina.com.fj/

Vulnerable nation’s definition still to be thrashed out, Ronneberg

By Makereta Komai, Climate Change Pasifika in Bonn, Germany

04 June 2010, Bonn, Germany --- Climate change negotiators face a tough week ahead as they move into final gear and prepare for an outcome that many Parties are describing as ‘workable.’

An issue that needs to be fully addressed by negotiators is the definition of ‘vulnerable’ countries.

This is important because priority for any funding mechanism for adaptation will be given to ‘particularly’ vulnerable developing countries.

Climate change adviser for the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) said since most of the Pacific Island Countries fall into that category, there is strong push from Pacific negotiators here in Bonn to maintain the definition from the Bali Plan of Action (BPoA).

“The preference is to stick to the language from Bali that says priority be given to least developed countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and some countries in Africa that suffer from droughts and desertification.

“Limiting it to that definition will allow the Financial Board, or whatever form it will be, enough guidance to have some rules of procedure much like the Adaptation Fund, said Ronneberg.

But the current LCA text has proposed to also include ‘other vulnerable developing states with coastal areas, tropical and mountainous glaciers and fragile economies.’

“We have one more week to work through these things and we are fairly confident we will make some progress. We will just have to see, as it stands right now, we are making progress.

WWF International and local NGO, German Watch released a report analysing the state of play at the Bonn negotiations, supporting the Pacific’s push to stick to the Bali Plan of Action definition.

“The Copenhagen Accord definition is almost the same as the BPoA definition – it defines vulnerable states as least LDCs, SIDS and all of Africa. Some of those countries, in particular from Latin America, who will have to face severe climate change impacts, have reasonable concerns since they do not fall under the BPoA/Accord definition.

“What is currently lacking is a more substantial debate of what such a prioritisation of vulnerable countries to receive adaptation support would actually mean, and if it would result in an exclusion of those countries who do not belong to this group, which in principle should be condemned as inappropriate, according to the joint report.

“The only concrete proposal in this regard was that 70 percent of adaptation finance should be reserved for LDCs. It would not mean a total exclusion of other countries from adaptation finance.

Since there has not been agreement on this matter in the AWG-LCA text yet, the Accord language being rather supportive of the BAP definition may provide

Meanwhile, on the Adaptation Fund, Ronneberg said the Pacific wants to take adaptation to the next level – to start to access funds and go into implementing stage. 

“Countries are now in a position to work on their national implementing agency and ready to put forward their projects.

“SPREP is going to be working with the region to ensure that all forum governments register their national implementing entities, it’s likely that SPREP will register as a regional entity to assist countries that need help with their proposals.

“The Adaptation Fund, which was only approved in Poznan in 2008, has just started and looking at the paper work, it appears simplified and more accessible, said Ronneberg.

Ms Komai will be covering the Bonn Climate Change negotiations from 31 May – 11 June 2010, thanks to support from Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). She will provide daily coverage of the negotiations via PACNEWS and the SPREP website www.sprep.org, the climate pasifika blogspot, http://climatepasifika.blogspot.com and the PINA Green page http://green.pina.com.fj/

Vulnerable nation’s definition still to be thrashed out, Ronneberg

By Makereta Komai for Climate Pasifika in Bonn, Germany

04 June 2010, Bonn, Germany --- Climate change negotiators face a tough week ahead as they move into final gear and prepare for an outcome that many Parties are describing as ‘workable.’

An issue that needs to be fully addressed by negotiators is the definition of ‘vulnerable’ countries.  This is important because priority for any funding mechanism for adaptation will be given to ‘particularly’ vulnerable developing countries.

Espen Ronneberg, Climate change adviser for the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) said since most of the Pacific Island Countries fall into that category, there is strong push from Pacific negotiators here in Bonn to maintain the definition from the Bali Plan of Action. (BPoA).

“The preference is to stick to the language from Bali that says priority be given to least developed countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and some countries in Africa that suffer from droughts and desertification.

“Limiting it to that definition will allow the Financial Board whatever form it will be, enough guidance to have some rules of procedure much like the Adaptation Fund, said Ronneberg. 

But the current LCA text has proposed to also include ‘other vulnerable developing states with coastal areas, tropical and mountainous glaciers and fragile economies.’

“We have one more week to work through these things and we are fairly confident we will make some progress. We will just have to see, as it stands right now, we are making progress.

WWF International and local NGO, German Watch released a report analysing the state of play at the Bonn negotiations, supporting the Pacific’s push to stick to the Bali Plan of Action definition.

“The Copenhagen Accord definition is almost the same as the BPoA definition – it defines vulnerable states as least LDCs, SIDS and all of Africa. Some of those countries, in particular from Latin America, who will have to face severe climate change impacts, have reasonable concerns since they do not fall under the BPoA/Accord definition.

“What is currently lacking is a more substantial debate of what such a prioritisation of vulnerable countries to receive adaptation support would actually mean, and if it would result in an exclusion of those countries who do not belong to this group, which in principle should be condemned as inappropriate, according to the joint report. 

“The only concrete proposal in this regard was that 70 percent of adaptation finance should be reserved for LDCs. It would not mean a total exclusion of other countries from adaptation finance. 

Since there has not been agreement on this matter in the AWG-LCA text yet, the Accord language being rather supportive of the BAP definition may provide.

Meanwhile, on the Adaptation Fund, Ronneberg said the Pacific wants to take adaptation to the next level – to start to access funds and go into implementing stage. 

“Countries are now in a position to work on their national implementing agency and ready to put forward their projects.

“SPREP is going to be working with the region to ensure that all forum governments register their national implementing entities, it’s likely that SPREP will register as a regional entity to assist countries that need help with their proposals.

“The Adaptation Fund, which was only approved in Poznan in 2008, has just started and looking at the paper work, it appears simplified and more accessible, said Ronneberg.