Defrosting cop19

GreenBits Initiative: Defrosting COP19

2

Acknowledgement
Defrosting COP is a collective effort, a handbook inspired by the amazing,
courageous and tireless effort by young people in the quest to secure a
sustainable future, pushing the frontiers in this epic battle for survival as
regards climate change, and acknowledging the key role that the COP plays in
enhancing this very crucial quest. In this esteem able regard, the invaluable
contribution made by the writers is worth special mention. Their contribution to
this first edition of the series is an exhibition of what collective effort is all
about and can lead to. It is a valiant attempt that not only inspires but
challenges all of us. For this due regard and acknowledgment bestows itself upon
them.
Special mention goes to the inspiring young people who are leading the fight vide
various inspiring initiatives, networks, organizations in the various regions and
capacities they manifest themselves and through the many actions, mechanisms
and exhibitions of industry and resilience and sacrifice. They have gone on to
conceptualize and actualize incredible initiatives making their indelible and
tangible contribution towards the global effort in collaboration with other
stakeholders bearing in mind their role as regards current and future
generations despite incredible challenges and constraints. It is their
contribution that continues to refresh the arduous and difficult journey
towards a cleaner, greener and sustainable future.
Special regard also goes to those who have supported this and other such
initiatives. It is upon that strength that more action and valiant effort
manifests itself and it is that realization of the collaborative effort across the
divide that pushes the frontiers as regards this epic battle. Their inspiration,
words of advice, wisdom and many other manifestations of their backing has
proven to be an anchor for such and many other initiatives For that special
appreciation is warranted.


3

Foreword
Once again, we are glad to introduce Defrosting COP19, a guidebook on the 19th
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties
(COP19) in Poland, Warsaw. In the spirit of My Little COP PocketBook, this book
is written in a simple, fun and easy-to understand manner.
This book has been made possible by a number of awesome young people,
through the well-articulated articles that make up this guidebook. You can check
out their profiles at the end of this book! It is a compilation of articles
published on the popular Climate Bits Newsletter.
We are also more than glad to hear from you; drop us a line at
cop.pocketbook@gmail.com and we will revert a.s.a.p!

Enjoy!


4

Table of Contents
Bridge To Poland;
7
10
Long-term finance: Focus Areas for the 2013 Work Programme;
Fixing Climate Finance;
11
Towards a 2015 Agreement: Elements of the Durban Platform;
12
14
Lost and Damaged in the UNFCCC;
The Gender Question;
16
Fossil Fuels in The Developed World: The Case of Fracking in the UK;
18
Snapshot of the 2015 Climate Agreement;
19
21
The Question of Land Tenure: A “REDD” Area;
ADP in Bits;
23
REDD and Carbon Mechanisms: Focusing on Indigenous Forest Communities’
25
Rights;
2015 Agreement: A Balancing Act;
27
Technology Transfer: A Sneak Peak;
29
Participation: A Key Ingredient To Safeguarding REDD;
31
33
References;


5

Image Credit: UNFCCC


6

1. Bridge To Poland

adopted by the UNFCCC
(Conference of Parties)

COP

The Subsidiary Body for Scientific
and Technological Advice (SBSTA) deals with the scientific aspect of
the negotiations, especially providing
technical and scientific support
By: Kennedy Liti Mbeva
This update is based on the official
release by UNFCCC.

You can get a fun and easy-to-read
and understand guide to the
international
climate
change
negotiations here.
From June 3-14, 2013, the Bonn
Intercessional,
which
was
a
precursor
to
the
upcoming
international
climate
change
negotiations, commenced. There
were
mixed
reactions
from
different stakeholders regarding
the outcomes, with some feeling
that the talks did not amount to
much; others held a contrary opinion.
Nevertheless, we will explore the
outcomes of the talks here.

Triple Tracks
The negotiations were divided into
three tracks:
Ad Hoc Working Group on the
Durban Platform for Enhanced
Action (ADP 2-2) – focuses on the
design of the post 2020 global
climate agreement
The
Subsidiary
Body
for
Implementation (SBI) – focuses on
the implementation of decisions

SBI
Unfortunately, the SBI session was
suspended because Russia, Belarus
and Ukraine introduced an additional
agenda item on procedural and legal
issues that appertain to decision
making under the COP This stemmed
from the last-minute decision
reached upon at COP18 that led to
the renewal of the Kyoto Protocol;
these three parties had opposed it.

ADP 2-2

Post 2020 climate agreement
•

In this session, parties
focused on: setting rules
before any emission pledges
were made; to enshrine the
concept of transparency and
accountability in the new
agreement; to bring about a
balance between mitigation
and adaptation; to link the
post 2020 climate agreement
to the existing UNFCCC
institutions, such as the
Green Climate Fund, so as to
enhance synergy

Raising near-term climate ambition
•

•

•

•

Also, elements that would
enhance the mobilization of
finances to facilitate the
transition
to
low-carbon
investments were examined:
risk management, long-term
legally binding agreement;
strong domestic institutions
in recipient countries; publicprivate partnerships.
The Energy Climate Map,
prepared by the Energy
Information Administration
(EIA), was presented and
four policies were taken into
consideration:
improving
energy efficiency in buildings,
industry
and
transport;
cutting construction and use
of least efficient coal plants;
minimizing methane emissions
from oil and natural gas
production; phasing out of
some fossil-fuel consumption
subsidies
Also, the coordination of the
Montreal Protocol and the
Climate Change Convention
were
to
reduce
hydro
fluorocarbons
(HFCs)
emissions was considered
Reports
on
how
the
structures of the Green
Climate Fund (GCF) were
taking shape were also
received


SBSTA
SBSTA saw a wide array of
discussions, with the following
outcomes:
Two draft decision texts on
essential measuring and accounting
rules were agreed upon.
An
assessment
towards
the
adequacy of efforts to avoid the 2degree warming ceiling commenced,
and it is expected to be completed
by 2015. The World Meteorological
Organization
(WMO)
made
a
scientific case that climate change
was accelerating.
Also discussed was capacity building
for implementation of the Kyoto
Protocol, UNFCCC support systems
as well as improved capacity building
for adaptation action in developing
countries in order to curb emissions
at the national level.
The response measures that would
lead to a just transition for
workforce during the switch to a
low-carbon development pathway
were discussed
The scope of agriculture in fighting
climate change was discussed
A research dialogue on research
relevant to governments took place.
Of
special
interest
were
developments in global climate
information, emerging scientific
findings
and
developments
in
research
related
to
capacity
building.

8

Governments
and
NGOs
also
exchanged
knowledge
and
experiences so as to foster
education,
training
and
public
awareness on climate change.

Image credit: UNFCCC


9

2. Long-term finance: Focus Areas
for the 2013 Work Programme

By: Reuben Makomere

Long-term finance for climate
change has long been a critical issue
in confronting climate change. It was
given much more priority since the
17th UNFCCC Conference of Parties
(COP17) in Durban in the year 2011
when a decision was made to
undertake a program on the issue.
This was one of the ways to enhance
efforts towards mobilizing climate
change finance from the year 2012.
This was the key agenda in the First
Meeting of Experts on Long Term
Finance held on the 16th-17th July
2013. Various avenues were explored
and utilized in order to realize the
desirable levels of climate change
financial resources. Several sessions
have been held on the issue with the
first session held from the 9th-11th
of July 2012 in the German city of
Bonn.
The main goal of the session was to
enhance further understanding on
long term finance and coming up with
ways to further ensure effective
deployment of the program. The
workshop highlighted the work to be
done in addition to addressing key


issues affecting long term finance
such as information gaps and looking
in to the options available for
climate financing.
The second meeting was held in Cape
Town South Africa from the 1st-3rd
of October 2012 focusing on
enhancing climate finance and
creating conducive environments for
the same. At the 18th UNFCCC
Conference of Parties (COP18) in
Doha the work program of the Long
Term Finance was extended with
two main areas of focus.

The first was essentially to assist
developing countries in looking into
ways of mobilizing enhanced finance
up to the tune of 100 Billion US
Dollars by the year 2020. The other
focus area was ensuring that there
was a conducive environment to
enhance
the
mobilization
and
utilization
of
the
finance
particularly in developing countries.

Indeed these discussions went
further into another meeting held in
Bonn on the 3rd of May 2013 with
further emphasis placed on scaling
up mobilization efforts particularly
from developed countries with the
aim of obtaining the goal set to be
achieved by 2020. Submissions on
ways of achieving this were to be
presented to the Conference of
Parties 19, later this year.

Image

credit:

Menscosmo.com

10

3. Fixing Climate Finance

behind this agreement to further
delay their promises of climate
finance.
This is why there are calls to make
COP19 a ‘finance COP’. Increased
engagement from finance decision
makers and finance Ministers looks
likely but it is not clear if this will
translate into the needed pledges.

By: Jamie Peters

In the lead up to COP19 in Poland,
Parties and Observers will be
setting their objectives and their
game plans to strategize on what
they can take from the talks in their
own best case scenarios. Fair and
adequate climate finance must be
central to those plans.
The developing world, who are now
being thrown into a global climate
deal, will have to not only adapt to
the dire consequences of climate
change but also have increased
mitigation efforts under the 2015
treaty. To do this, as has been made
clear already in UNFCCC, they need
increased
climate
finance
to
facilitate adaptation and mitigation
efforts.

On top of climate finance being
pledged there must also be a close
eye kept on the form of the money.
If the climate finance is simply
moved from other aid budgets then
this is unacceptable and the same
goes for the use of loans as part of
any pledges. Finance must be new,
additional from other aid and
adequate in order for it to make the
difference that it needs to.
Significant finance from public
sources is the key to fair funding
for the developing world to combat
climate change.

Image credit: Anton Brand

The Fast Start Finance (FSF) period
to facilitate flow of climate finance
from the North to the South ended
in 2012. The next agreement on
finance focuses on $100bn each year
by 2020 through the Green Climate
Fund. That leaves a huge gap where
finance is needed more than ever.
The developed world cannot hide


11

4. Towards a 2015 Agreement:
Elements of the Durban Platform

overarching term being ‘ambition’.
These are:
1. Global Review of the global

temperature goal
There has been a raging debate as
to whether the target of keeping
global atmospheric temperatures, of
2 degrees, is appropriate. Thus a
global review was proposed with the
aim of using data and science so as
to
establish
the
appropriate
temperature rise ceiling.
The
current
focus
of
the
international
climate
change
negotiations is on delivering a new
climate agreement by 2015. This is
due to the exacerbating effects of
climate change, while efforts to
tackle them are often deemed not
sufficient.
However, with the flurry of
discussions, workshops, conferences
and studies going on, it is easy to
lose track of the process. It is in
this light that we will have a series
of articles breaking down the nitty
gritties of the negotiations towards
a global climate agreement.
Setting the stage
The stage for working towards a
global climate agreement was set at
COP17, in a package of decisions
known as the Durban Platform. In
essence, this package outlined four
key areas that would form the
roadmap for a global climate
agreement by 2015, with the


1. Launch of a new track of
negotiations
At COP17, it was deemed that a new
subsidiary body was needed in order
to iron out the details of the new
global climate agreement by 2015.
This subsidiary body is called the
Ad-hoc Working Group on the
Action, in short, ADP.
ADP has an overarching mandate of
delivering
a
global
climate
agreement in any of the three
possible forms:
i. A legal instrument
ii. A Protocol
iii. An agreed outcome with legal
force

2. Conclusion of some existing
stream of negotiations
The Durban Platform called for the
conclusion, in 2012, of the very
broad Ad hoc Working Group on
Long-term Cooperative Action under

12

the Convention (LCA). The LCA was
established at COP13 in the Bali
Action Plan.

3. Renewal
Protocol

of

the

Kyoto

The Kyoto Protocol was to run out at
the end of 2012, thus, the Durban
Platform called for the adoption of a
second commitment period of the
Kyoto Protocol.

Conclusion
Thus, the Durban Platform laid the
ground for the 2015 climate
agreement.

Image credit: New Geography


13

4. Lost and Damaged in the
UNFCCC

both the Alliance of Small Island
States
(AOSIS)
and
Least
Developed Countries (LDCs), but it
has not been easily discussed in the
UNFCCC.

Battle-lines drawn...??

By: Luke Kemp

Deadlines
The 2015 deadline for the next
climate agreement is providing the
opportunity for the emergence of
controversial political time bombs.
One of these potentially destructive
issues is that of financially
addressing
loss
and
damages
attributed to climate change.

The Three siblings
The idea is that countries suffering
from the impacts of climate change
can be aided through one of three
interconnected
mechanisms:
international
insurance;
compensation and reparations; and
risk management.
International
insurance would cover impacts such
as extreme weather events while
compensation would be for slowonset and progressive damages such
as sea-level rise. The idea is dear to


At COP18 the issue created a
fissure between developed countries
such as the United States and
Australia, and the proponents of
AOSIS and LDCs.
This almost
resulted
in
a
blocking
of
negotiations.
That scenario was
narrowly avoided by putting off any
decision
on
‘institutional
arrangements’ for loss and damages
until COP19.
The controversy is primarily over
the concept of compensation and
reparations and any ‘institutional
mechanism’ to address loss and
damages. There is a well-founded
fear amongst developed countries
that institutionalization of loss and
damages or any reference to
‘compensation’ or ‘reparation’ could
denote legal responsibility and
liability, creating the way for an
avalanche of international litigation
lawsuits.

Hardliners
But LDCs and AOSIS are adamant
that funding for loss and damages
cannot be counted as aid and
streamlined
under
current
arrangements.
Both sides are
unwilling to back down on this issue,
and there is no clear technical
solution or compromise in sight.

14

Time bomb
Loss and damage may not be the
sexiest issue on the COP19 agenda,
but make no mistake that it is a
political time bomb. The question is
whether it will be defused before
2015 or if it explode, perhaps even
in Warsaw.

Image Credit: rtcc.org


15

5. The Gender Question
It was also decided that
recommendations were to be
made on how to specifically
address the issue of gender
parity within the framework
convention and more so in the
various bodies set up in order to
ensure that there was effective
participation from both sides.

By: Amanda Asiago

It is not in doubt that the
gender issue remains sensitive
when it comes to the climate
debate. It is also not in doubt
that
women
and
children,
particularly
in
developing
countries bear the brunt of
climate change impacts that
include floods, famines and
droughts among others. The
position of women in society has
also been recognized as being
key in spearheading climate
action.
The role of gender in shaping
climate action and policy was
expressly put forward at COP 18
in Doha last year.
It was
recognized that there was a
gender gap right up to the
UNFCCC level hence the COP
decided to promote gender
balance and participation even
within the UNFCCC framework.
This
included
increased
participation of women within
the various bodies of the
UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol.


It follows that a report on the
structure and composition of the
gender situation within the
framework
convention
and
another one on ways to enhance
gender participation and parity
through-out
the
framework
convention was to be complied
and discussed in the 19th session
of the conference of parties.

The issue of gender cuts across
various levels of climate action
including adaptation, mitigation,
technology transfer and finance.
In all these mechanisms, it is
becoming increasingly apparent
that the question of gender
parity needs to be answered and
a sustainable mechanism for
enhancing the same adopted.
As per the decisions at COP 18
and the preparation of the
documents on how to advance the
goal of gender parity, the
foundations might have been laid.
It remains to be seen what the
parties will agree to when it
comes to discussion and adoption
of the reports, noting that the
mechanisms of Implementation
will have to be at least discussed

16

at length sooner rather than
later
to
have
meaningful
progress at the next conference
of parties in Warsaw.

Image credit: Bebe Rouse


17

6. Fossil
Fuels
in
The
Developed World: The Case
of Fracking in the UK

Voices of reason....anyone??
Groups, organisations and individuals
have come together to oppose
fracking in Balcombe in England,
citing the devastating impacts that
fracking brings. They are correct to
cite these dangers as reasons not to
frack. Another reason, is that
fracking is simply another fossil
fuel…

Wake up call...!!
By: Jamie Peters

Fracking, the "new blue eyed boy"
In the UK there has been a climate
change related story that has
dominated headlines this month. The
controversial method of obtaining
gas from rocks has brought
heartache to communities around
the world and is now the pet project
of the UK Government who have
proudly announced that they will give
fracking companies the 'most
generous tax breaks in world'.
Fracking has been one of the
‘unconventional’ means of fossil fuel
extraction (others include tar
sands). In reality unconventional =
incredibly
destructive
way
to
maintain an unhealthy addiction to
fossil fuels.

The UK and the rest of the West
must wake up to the fact that if we
are serious about avoiding more than
a 1.5 degree world and want to bring
fairness and justice to climate
action then we simply cannot use any
more fossil fuels, conventional or
otherwise.
The continual extraction of fossil
fuels, and now the opening of even
more dangerous routes for fossil
fuel extraction, is either a sign of
governments being unwilling to come
to terms with what climate change
and climate science shows we must
do or wanton disregard for what
continued fossil fuel extraction
means. Either way, people are
fighting it at all levels and the size
of the movement is going to get
bigger and stronger as time passes.

Image Credit: qz.com


18

7. Snapshot of
the
Climate Agreement

2015

to inform and regulate the
same through the creation of
a new agreement-there lies
the opportunity to improve on
what we have had so far.

Back to Rio: re-looking at the
international economic model

By: Amanda Asiago

Opportunity for the ADP??
It is often said that life gives all of
us an opportunity to improve
ourselves, make ourselves better
than we were. As the curtains on the
2011 UNFCCC Conference of Parties
(COP17) came down, one of the key
outcomes was the launch of the AdHoc working group on the Durban
Platform for Enhanced Action, or
simply (ADP). The time frame for
the same was expressly set out….no
later than 2015. Indeed the limb of
negotiation has two key objectives in
mind which are
i.

Negotiating a legal agreement
to bind that is binding and to
be implemented by the year
2020

ii. Looking
into
ways
of
increasing
the
level
of
ambition before the year
2020 with regard to issues
such as emissions reduction
among others. As the “new
era” of climate action under
the wings of the UNFCCC
gets underway, the Durban
Platform of ADP was meant


Indeed the UNFCCC is inclined
towards cross cutting collaborative
and collective efforts aimed at
addressing climate change. A good
reference point is the 1992 RIO
Declaration, where some of the key
principles are indeed mirrored
including
equity,
common
but
differentiated
responsibilities
among others. In upholding the
same, developed countries have been
expected to show true leadership in
terms of climate action, recognizing
their contribution to the climate
change. Key is a look into economic
progression, important in addressing
climate change. It follows that
measures and policy regimes aimed
at tackling climate change and
enhancing sustainable development
at all levels are key in defining the
intended
international
economic
system, deviating from the “one
sided” and often unfair model of the
international trade system.

That word-Commitments.!!!
It is important that a future
agreement take into account the
commitments of especially developed
countries
towards
emission
reduction goals, focusing further on
enhanced and specific commitment
to support adaptation and mitigation

19

efforts with regard to climate
action.
Similarly,
developing
countries also have commitments
with regard to among others a
change in the “normal course of
business” with mechanisms of such
change needing to be reflected. This
includes mainstreaming key focus
areas including adaptation and
finance mechanisms as they also
seek to play their part in addressing
climate change.

Image Credit: lossandndamage.net


20

8. The
Question
of
Land
Tenure: A “REDD” Area

By: Reuben Makomere

Setting out Links…..!!
Even as the focus on REDD+ and
Forest Carbon mechanisms continues
and the issue of enhancing and
strengthening the safeguards for
the mechanisms continues, Land
Tenure and forest property rights
continues
to
be
extremely
important. Since the issue of rights
to land is directly linked to the
mechanisms, a clear and safeguarded
tenure system is key in looking into
the implementation of REDD+ and
forest
carbon
mechanisms
particularly with regard to equitable
distribution of rights and benefits.

Uncertainties
tenure

regarding

land

Land tenure informs access and use
of land and its resources, who holds
these resources, the period within
which these are held and the
conditions for holding the same. It
follows that the form of land tenure
has a direct impact on the


implementation of REDD+ and Forest
Carbon projects. While the land
tenure affects almost all matters
dealing with land and its resources,
uncertainties attached to REDD+
and Forest Carbon mechanisms such
as those associated with to carbon
rights’
assignment
further
complicate the situation. The risks
are diverse ranging from leakage, to
challenges in management of the
forest resources and benefits
attached to the same; in addition to
disruption of the local land law
regimes as the assignment of carbon
rights comes into play.

Multiplicity of laws and resultant
gaps
The Tanzanian case for instance
where there is a multiplicity of laws
relating to land, is key in highlighting
the need to reconcile land tenure,
REDD
and
forest
carbon
mechanisms. Gaps existing within
the land law regime put village
communities at risk of losing their
rights to REDD+ benefits, arising
from vast portions of community
land. Couple this with inadequate
recognition of the local indigenous
communities’
tenure
and
by
extension forest associations by the
relevant
authorities
then
the
situation looks pretty grim for these
communities.

Safeguarding tenure..!!
As governments ready themselves to
capitalize on carbon mechanisms
such as REDD+, the security of
rights over land and land-based

21

resources becomes a key area of
focus. It becomes vital to also have
a look into the existing land law
regimes within these countries, and
more so developing countries in
order to safeguard the rights of
particularly indigenous communities
with regard to land tenure. In
safeguarding the same, not only does
investor confidence grow but it is
more likely that the village
communities will invest in protection
of their forests.

Image Credit: Bluechannel24.org


22

instrument or an agreed outcome
with legal binding force under the
Convention to address t stylization
of greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere – the main objective of
the UNFCCC. While the final
outcome has been slated for 2015,
all elements of the negotiating text
have to be considered latest at
COP20 in 2014; also, it is expected
that a negotiating text should be
ready by May 2015, for adoption
later in the year, during COP21.
Currently, the Kyoto Protocol is the
only legally binding instrument aimed
at curbing greenhouse gas emissions.

9. ADP in Bits


The Ad-Hoc Working Group on the
Action, otherwise known as the ADP,
is a subsidiary body of the UN
Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) It was established
at COP 17 in 2011, with the following
main objectives:

i. To develop a Protocol or
ii. Another legal instrument or
iii. An agreed outcome with legal
force under the Convention
The ADP is divided into two work
streams:

i.

The 2015 global
agreement
ii. Pre-2020 ambition

climate

i) 2015
global
agreement

climate

ii) Pre-2020 ambition
With the havoc that climate change
continues to wreck being more
apparent by the day, it is hard for
the idealistic mind to grapple with
the lack of ambition exhibited at
the UNFCCC negotiations, so much
that an entire work stream had to
be dedicated to raising ambition for
action on climate change! This
ambition is meant to reduce the gap
between pledged for emission
reductions with actual reduction in
emissions; this is mainly through
raising of mitigation ambition. The
2013 work plan of this work stream
focuses on identifying actions that
would lead to increased ambition.
This is being done with the aim of
keeping the global temperature rise
under 2 degrees Celsius. Also, this
work stream is focusing on realizing
a science-based policy making as
regards combating climate change.

The main objective of this work
steam is to develop a Protocol, legal


23

Conclusion
That is it with regard to the ADP, a
critical cog in the climate change
negotiations machine! The next
article in this series will outline the
various approaches being considered
under ADP as regards crafting the
2015 global climate agreement as
well
as
increasing
pre-2020
ambition.

Image credit: officescope.com


24

10.
REDD
and
Carbon
Mechanisms: Focusing on
Indigenous
Forest
Communities’ Rights

Centre
(QNCC)
dressed
in
traditional regalia bringing into
focus the key issue of indigenous
rights regarding REDD and carbon
markets mechanisms. While the
mechanism was part of the core
discussions during the 18th COP, it
is worth noting that little progress
was made on the same with other
issues such as finance for REDD
taking centre stage.

Safeguards....!!

By: Reuben Makomere

Way of life….
Indigenous people have always
depended in the forests. They
regard them home, depending in
them for survival, food, shelter and
much more. The Aborigines, the
Native American Indians, among
others have enriched the ecosystem
and improved the biodiversity;
deploying
centuries
old
using
centuries old techniques. However
with the advent of REDD, indigenous
community rights has been a key
area
of
concern
particularly
regarding implementation of the
same as evidenced by protests
against REDD from Chiapas to
California among other areas

Doha positions…
During
the
COP18
climate
negotiations, one could not fail to
notice people walking along the
corridors of the Doha Convention


Going back to the COP negotiations
in Cancun, checks and safeguards
designed to take into account the
rights of indigenous people through
prevention
of
social
and
environmental harm while at the
same time enhancing social and
environmental
benefits
were
adopted. These safeguards were to
be the basis of all activities and
issues pertaining to REDD.
However, in Doha, the specific issue
of the safeguards was not delved
into at length even though the other
issues were discussed in great detail
and progress noted, such as finance
for REDD.
The moral and ethical issues
pertaining to REDD+ mechanisms do
require more care in terms of
carving out solutions. The Issues
range from corruption to lack of
proper accountability mechanisms,
leakages hence displacement of
deforestation from one area to
another
and
inadequacy
of
accounting
and
monitoring
mechanisms especially in relation to
carbon measurement among others

25

that have grave impacts on
especially security of the indigenous
people’s rights.

Room for progress..??
Maybe 2013 can be the year when
finally some concrete progress was
made to safeguard this fragile
community with regard to COP 19,
certainly to this community; the
alternative is by far the worse
option.

Image
intercontinentalcry.org

credit:


26

11.
2015 Agreement: A
Balancing Act

decisions that made up the Durban
Platform.

b. Categorization
If the UNFCCC climate negotiations
were a political competition, then
the main competing parties would be
Annex I and non-Annex I. The
elements of the 2015 Agreement do
not categorize parties explicitly, and
this is a marked departure from the
design of the Kyoto Protocol, which
the 2015 Agreement aims to replace.

c. CBDRRC

If you have been keenly following
UNFCCC
climate
change
the
negotiations, especially the ADP
stream, then you should be aware of
the tug of war parties are having in
defining
the
2015
Climate
Agreement. As it is slowly coming
into shape, several options are being
considered, with concessions and
compromises on positions being key
to this process – these options are
clearly outlined in the Durban
Platform.

a. Applicability
One of the key areas of focus in the
design of the 2015 Climate
Agreement has been its applicability
to all the parties. There have been
parties that have called for a
symmetrical approach, whereby all
the parties to the UNFCCC will
abide by the agreement. The EU
fronted this position, as part of the


The Durban Platform did not
mention the principle of Common But
Differentiated Responsibilities and
Respective Capabilities (CBDRRC).
However, in subsequent climate
change negotiating sessions, the
issue of equity has been gaining
traction, and this is mainly informed
by the CDBRRC principle, essentially
coming back into the design of the
2015 Agreement.

d. Climate Effectiveness
Climate Effectiveness has been one
of the main concerns during the
design of the 2015 Agreement.
Since many critics have alluded to
the Kyoto Protocol as being
ineffective, the designers of the
2015 Agreement are keen on making
it climate effective. There are two
significant schools of thought
regarding what constitutes climate
effectiveness:

27

1. Climate effectiveness
depends
on
the
stringency
of
an
agreement
towards
commitments
on
emissions reductions

Image Credit: www.zazzle.com

2. Climate effectiveness
is a function of
stringency
of
commitments, level of
participation
and
compliance
The other key issues being looked at
by the Durban Platform, aside from
climate effectiveness, are benefitcost
optimization
and
climate
justice.

e. Key issues on the table
The Durban Platform was designed
with little content so that parties
can agree on what will comprise the
2015 Climate Agreement. The key
issues being worked out are: the
regulatory approach, relation to the
Kyoto Protocol, the process of
creating the 2015 Agreement, the
level of ambition, differentiation as
well as the legal form.

Conclusion
Thus,
as
the
2015
Climate
Agreement is taking shape, it is
imperative for everyone involved in
the process to make sure that an
effective and well-thought out tool
is finally designed to combat climate
change.


28

12.
Technology
Mechanism: A Sneak Peak
Part 1

By: Amanda Asiago

The role of technology in addressing
the challenges curtailing sustainable
development and climate change
cannot be understated. The UNFCCC
has gone on to recognize the key
role that the same plays in ensuring
that all parties comply to the
provisions of the convention. This is
done through sharing of information
and environmental oriented and
friendly
technologies
between
particularly developed countries
which have a higher capacity in
terms of technological research and
development
and
developing
countries whose capacity for the
same is greatly limited In doing this
the effort towards mitigation and
adaptation as against climate change
would
be
greatly
enhanced,
particularly concerning developing
countries.

improving the participation and
partnerships of all key actors,
including the public and private
sector. Another key objective was
to enhancing the use of these
technologies through clear and
concise plans that would guide the
deployment and management of such
technologies in addition to improving
on the research and development of
new technologies.
In doing this, harnessing the various
levels of technology development
centres
including
international
national right down to the very
grassroots, to enhance joint working
plans and programs is key indeed. In
enhancing such mechanisms within
the framework, there are two main
components that were set up to
enhance effective implementation of
the technology mechanism.

Technology
(TEC)

Executive

Committee

COP16/CMP6 laid the grounds for
the mechanisms of managing the key
issue of technology transfer. The
emphasis
set
forth
by
the
agreements from Mexico was on

The TEC is key in terms of making
policy for the technology mechanism.
In this regard, the TEC sees to it
the implementation of the transfer
framework in addition to laying
emphasis on the needs of developing
countries with regard to the most
appropriate
technological
developments
in
addition
to
prioritization of the same. In doing
this
the
TEC
mechanism
incorporates the use of Technology
Needs Assessments (TNAs) that are
under the umbrella of the Poznan
Strategic Programme on Technology
Transfer.


29

Climate Technology
Network (CTCN)

Centre

and

This
key
component
of
the
technology mechanism was aimed at
enhancing implementation of the
same. This is through the guidance
of the Conference of Parties (COP).
In doing so, the CTCN seeks to
enhance development and transfer
of the technologies in addition to
enhancing joint programs in the
spirit of cooperation with regard to
the development and deployment of
these technologies.
In doing so the CTCN is also focused
on the development of capacity with
regard to identification of the
various needs of the parties in
addition
to
enhancing
the
implementation
and
strategic
management of these technologies
through projects In addition the
gender issue is also a key
consideration with regard to the
mandate of the CTCN in spurring
adaptation and mitigation climate
action.

Image credit: pctlg.com


30

14.
Participation:
A
Key
Ingredient To Safeguarding REDD

By: Amanda Asiago

Inclusion and involvement
Participation from all stakeholders
in implementing REDD and forest
carbon projects is a vital component
to safeguarding the integrity of the
whole mechanism. This involvement
trickles down to all levels, from the
very top echelons to the local
communities at the very grassroots
level.
In mainstreaming participation at all
levels of decision making and
implementation, particularly at the
national, regional and local level,
effective management of the
benefits attached to implementation
of REDD and forest carbon
mechanisms. In doing so, key risks
that
might
attach
to
such
implementation can be effectively
avoided including corruption in REDD
and Forest Carbon projects.

REDD Risks
Indeed the risk of corruption in
REDD and Forest Carbon projects is


high, to the detriment of the local
indigenous communities depending on
forest resources. Issues to do with
undue influence at the decision
making level, inefficient reporting
mechanisms, bribery among many
other risks lurk in the shadows in so
far as implementation of REDD is
concerned. In all these practices,
the crucial element of effective
participation is often missing;
engagement
is
minimal
and
restricted hence the risks. The end
result is a compromised local
implementation program in so far as
REDD is concerned with the effects
of the same devastating particularly
to local indigenous communities. This
in turn forms part of the reasons
that funnel the fires of discord and
scepticism
amongst
the
same
communities
as
against
REDD
mechanisms hence the protests.

Empowerment in Participation
Participation is however linked with
empowerment. It is not enough to
just include the local indigenous
communities in decision making with
regard to REDD but also empower
them to make critical decisions
regarding management of the forest
resources. In Kenya for instance,
key stakeholders including the local
communities and young people are
pushing for ways to effect this key
aspect of management of forest
resources, through avenues such as
Participatory
Forest
the
Management Plan brought forth by
the Kenya Forest Service, and
initiatives of key stakeholders,
including learning institutions, youth

31

groups, civil society, and stakeholder
working groups among others.

Real Potential
The potential for a successful
participation mechanism for REDD
and forest Carbon mechanisms at
the local level is immense in so far as
enhancing the safeguards created
for REDD, at least those adopted at
Cancun.

Image credit: nazshua.blog.com


32

References:
Anup
Shah,
“Climate
Justice
and
Equity”
http://www.globalissues.org/article/231/climate-justice-and-equity

2012

Asian Indigenous Peoples Climate Change Monitoring and Information Network,
REDD
and
Indigenous
People’s;
http://ccmin.aippnet.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14&It
emid=27
Association of Small Island States; http://aosis.org/
Bonn
Intercessional Meeting
held
in
June
3rd
to
14th
2013
http://unfccc.int/meetings/bonn_jun_2013/meeting/7431.php
Climate Leaders What is the UNFCCC and COP? http://www.climateleaders.org/climate-change-resources/india-at-cop-15/unfccc-cop
Daniel Bodansky, Sandra Day O’Connor “The Durban Platform: Issues and
Options for a 2015 Agreement” 2012 Centre for Climate and Energy Solutions;
http://www.c2es.org/docUploads/durban-platform-issues-and-options.pdf
Daniel Bodansky, Durban Platform Negotiations, Goals and Options, July 2012
Harvard
Project
on
Climate
Agreements;
http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/files/bodansky_durban2_vp.pdf
Draft Decision CP/17 Establishment of an Ad-Hoc Working Group on the Durban
Platform
for
Enhanced
Action;
http://unfccc.int/files/meetings/durban_nov_2011/decisions/application/pdf/c
op17_durbanplatform.pdf
European Commission, Climate Action The 2015 International Agreement
http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/international/negotiations/future/index_en.h
tm
Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development, “2015 Climate
Change
Agreement”
http://www.field.org.uk/tags/2015-climate-changeagreement
Energy Climate Map prepared by the Energy Information Administration;
http://www.worldenergyoutlook.org/energyclimatemap/
FAO’s conceptualization of “Land Tenure” FAO Corporate Documents
Depository; http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/y4307e/y4307e05.htm
Greenbits Initiative “My Little COP Pocket Book “ http://greenbits.heroku.com/


33

Henry Campbell Black, Black’s Law Dictionary (2nd Ed) 1910; reference to the
term “Agreement”, West Publishing Company
Jo Tyndall Ambassador for Climate Change, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Trade
“ADP
Workshop
on
Ambition”
http://unfccc.int/files/documentation/submissions_from_parties/adp/applicati
on/pdf/adp1_wsnewzealand_21052012.pdf
Kenya Forests Working Group Participatory Forest Management Plans;
http://kenyaforests.org/resources/Pfm_Consultancy_Final_Report_July_2013.
pdf
Legal
Definition
of
the
term
“Legal
Agreement”;
dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/legal+agreement
Legal
Definition
of
the
term
“Protocol”;
dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Protocol+(treaty)

http://legal-

Legal
Definition
of
the
term
dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/agreement
http://unfccc.int/bodies/body/6431.php

http://legal-

“Agreement”

http://legal-

Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer;
http://ozone.unep.org/new_site/en/montreal_protocol.php
Organizations such as Extreme Energy Action Network and their initiative
Frack-Off; http://frack-off.org.uk/tag/balcombe/
Peter Veit, Darryl Vhugen, Jonathan Miner Threats to Village Land in Tanzania:
Implications for REDD+ Benefit- Sharing Arrangements World Resources
Institute, January 12th 2012; http://www.wri.org/blog/threats-village-landtanzania-implications-redd-benefit-sharing-arrangements
Scott Barret and Robert Stavins “Increasing Participation and Compliance in
International
Climate
Change
Agreements”
2002:
http://www.hks.harvard.edu/fs/rstavins/Papers/Participation_and_Compliance_
Barrett&Stavins.pdf
Terry Macalister, Fiona Harvey, “George Osborne unveils 'most generous tax
breaks in world' for fracking”, The Guardian, 19th July 2013;
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/jul/19/george-osborne-tax-breakfracking-shale-environment
The Green Climate Fund; http://gcfund.net/home.html


34

Transparency International, Keeping REDD+ clean: A Step-by-Step Guide to
Preventing
Corruption,
2012;
http://www.transparency.org/whatwedo/pub/keeping_redd_clean
UNFCCC
Durban
Climate
Conference
November/December
http://unfccc.int/meetings/durban_nov_2011/meeting/6245.php

2011;

UNFCCC Doha Climate Conference held in November/December
http://unfccc.int/meetings/doha_nov_2012/session/7049.php

2012;

UNFCCC Warsaw Climate Conference held from November 11th to 28th 2013;
http://unfccc.int/meetings/warsaw_nov_2013/session/7767.php
UNFCCC
“Fast
Start
Finance”;
http://unfccc.int/cooperation_support/financial_mechanism/fast_start_financ
e/items/5646.php
UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP-19) and Meeting of the Parties to the
Kyoto Protocol (CMP-9) held in Warsaw Poland in November of 2013;
http://unfccc.int/meetings/items/6240.php
UNFCCC Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action
(ADP); http://unfccc.int/bodies/body/6645.php
UNFCCC
Subsidiary
Body
http://unfccc.int/bodies/body/6406.php

for

Implementation;

UNFCCC
Convention
Bodies
http://unfccc.int/essential_background/convention/convention_bodies/items/2
629.php
UNFCCC Kyoto Protocol; http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2830.php
UNFCCC
“2013-2015
Review”;
http://unfccc.int/science/workstreams/the_2013-2015_review/items/6998.php
UNFCCC, Approaches to address loss and damage associated with climate change
impacts in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse
effects
of
climate
change;
http://unfccc.int/adaptation/workstreams/loss_and_damage/items/6056.php
UNFCCC
“Gender
and
Climate
Change
http://unfccc.int/gender_and_climate_change/items/7516.php


Portal”;

35

UNFCCC 2013 Report on Gender and Climate Change for the 19th Session of the
Conference
of
Parties;
http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2013/cop19/eng/04.pdf
UNFCCC Submissions by Parties and Observer Organizations on Options and
Ways to advance Gender Balance to the 19th Session of the Conference of
Parties; http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2013/cop19/eng/misc02.pdf
UNFCCC 16TH SESSION OF THE Conference of Parties (COP-16) held at
Cancun,
Mexico
on
November
2010;
http://unfccc.int/meetings/cancun_nov_2010/meeting/6266.php
UNFCCC, “Durban: Towards full implementation of the UN Climate Change
Convention”; http://unfccc.int/key_steps/durban_outcomes/items/6825.php
UNFCCC
“List
of
Annex-1
Parties
to
the
Convention”;
http://unfccc.int/parties_and_observers/parties/annex_i/items/2774.php
UNFCCC
“List
of
Non-Annex-1
Parties
to
the
Convention”http://unfccc.int/parties_and_observers/parties/non_annex_i/item
s/2833.php
UNFCCC
Technology
work
http://unfccc.int/focus/technology/items/7000.php#intro

portal;

UNFCCC
Technology
Executive
http://unfccc.int/ttclear/pages/tec_home.html

Portal;

Committee

UNFCCC
Technology
Needs
Assessment
http://unfccc.int/ttclear/templates/render_cms_page?TNA_home

Portal;

UNFCCC
Support
for
Implementation
http://unfccc.int/ttclear/templates/render_cms_page?IMS_home

Portal;

UNFCCC
Climate
Technology
Centre
and
Network
http://unfccc.int/ttclear/templates/render_cms_page?TEM_tcn

Portal;

UNFCCC “Conference of Parties”; http://unfccc.int/bodies/body/6383.php
UN General Assembly, “Rio Declaration on Environment and Development”;
http://www.un.org/documents/ga/conf151/aconf15126-1annex1.htm
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC);
http://unfccc.int/


36

UN Office of the High Representative of the Least Developed Countries,
Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island States List of the LDC’s;
http://www.un.org/special-rep/ohrlls/ldc/list.htm
“What
Goes
In
and
http://dangersoffracking.com/


Out

of

Hydraulic

Fracturing”;

37

Team Awesome
This is the awesome team that wrote the articles comprising this book:
Kennedy Liti Mbeva

Co-founder
&
GreenBits Initiative

Reuben Makomere

Co-founder & Director of
Strategy: GreenBits Initiative

Jamie Peters

COP18
International
Policy
Trainer| UK Youth Climate
Coalition (UKYCC)|
Focal Point to the UNFCCC
Secretariat
YOUNGOs
|
Youth
Constituency at the United
Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change
Contributor:
International
Political Forum

Amanda Asiago

Luke Kemp


Director:

Bachelor of Interdisciplinary
Studies (Honours) (ANU), PhD
Scholar (ANU)
Research Fellow, Ea rth System
Governance Project
Fenner School of Environment
and Society

38

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