UNFCCC Executive Secretary briefs the media at the conclusion of the opening day of the COP-14 conference at Poznan on December 1, 2008.
More information at the UNFCCC website.
Showing posts with label WFES 2009. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WFES 2009. Show all posts
Combating Climate Change and Boosting Growth are Natural Allies
Accelerated action on energy savings and the scrapping of fossil fuel subsidies are the two top actions needed to combat climate change and spur economic recovery, according to a recent survey.
The findings of this survey of climate decision makers in the private, public and civil society sectors underline their overwhelming view that combating climate change is a pro-growth, pro-economic recovery policy.
Three-quarters (73 per cent) of the 1,000 experts surveyed agree that “equitable economic growth and development and significant progress in combating climate change can be achieved at the same time”. Only 11 per cent disagree.
The overall findings from professionals across 115 countries who make or influence climate decisions was presented in Poznan, Poland, at the UN Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The survey found that decision makers believe that the price of carbon must nearly triple to over USD50 per tonne on average before their organisations will consistently implement climate-friendly decisions over more cost effective, but carbon-intensive options.
A key finding of the previous Climate Decision Makers Survey revealed just how important decision makers view the protection of biodiversity and ecosystem integrity. The latest updated poll reaffirms it. The majority (64 per cent) of decision makers say that investing in biodiversity protection and creating new financial mechanisms (59 per cent) as an incentive should be short-term climate priorities.
“This survey echoes the message we heard at IUCN’s World Conservation Congress in Barcelona,” says Julia Marton-Lefèvre, IUCN Director General. “We had 8,000 participants from 180 countries and the message they brought was clear; biodiversity underpins the well-being of human societies and their economies. We now have an understanding of the clear link between conservation and climate and that healthy ecosystems are the best defence against climate change.”
The survey was conducted by researchers at GlobeScan with the support of the World Bank, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), along with other contributing organisations.
“The fact that these decision makers across the world don’t see any inherent conflict between the economy and climate action certainly challenges the governments meeting in Poznan to move forward in spite of the current economic crisis,” says GlobeScan Chairman Doug Miller. “And they’re saying the price of carbon needs to be increased in order to stimulate action on the ground.”
“Combating climate change is the stimulus package needed to power the planet out of its current malaise and set the stage for a 21st century Green Economy – one that prizes resource efficiency, innovation and decent employment in developed and developing societies alike,” says Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director.
The survey additionally asked hands-on decisions makers to rate 17 specific approaches to addressing climate change. Increasing energy conservation and efficiency (77 per cent) rates as having the greatest potential impact on GHG emissions in the short term (rated “major” by 77 per cent). Ranked second is the removal of subsidies for carbon-intensive activities (76 per cent), a clear signal to policy makers needing to free up budgets to fund fiscal stimulus measures.
When asked to evaluate the potential of different technologies to lower atmospheric carbon concentrations in the longer term (25 years), efficiency and conservation (88 per cent) remain the most attractive among decision makers, well above nuclear energy (only 29 per cent rate current nuclear technology highly), carbon capture and storage (29 per cent on retrofits) and biofuels from food crops (only 12 per cent). Clearly, these decision makers see energy efficiency as the “low-hanging fruit”.
“The development challenge is to accelerate or maintain robust economic growth in poorer countries while also dealing with the impacts of climate change,” says Katherine Sierra, World Bank Vice President for Sustainable Development. “The new global survey supports the view that developing countries will need support in terms of finance, as well as technology in the fight against climate change. The financial situation is no justification for postponing action on climate change. Climate change is not waiting, so we cannot wait either.”
In spite of their strong opinion that economic development and climate action are synergistic, a plurality (44 per cent) expect that the current economic crisis will nonetheless hinder progress toward an effective international climate agreement.
The survey results provided guidance for negotiators in Poznan. A solid majority (66 per cent) of those surveyed endorse the G8+5 GLOBE legislator’s 2008 Tokyo Framework for International Cooperation beyond 2012 as a model for negotiators at Poznan and Copenhagen. Support is strong for an inclusive, multifaceted, long-term yet flexible global agreement that acknowledges the value of ecosystem services.
Unlike public opinion polls, this survey focused on the views of professionals in position to make or influence large decisions in government, the private sector and civil society. This focus, together with the survey’s large global sample and good balance of respondents across geographies and sectors, makes this survey unique.
For these and other survey results presented in Powerpoint, with methodological details, please visit: http://www.globescan.com/news_archives/cdms08/cdms_release_slides.ppt
The findings of this survey of climate decision makers in the private, public and civil society sectors underline their overwhelming view that combating climate change is a pro-growth, pro-economic recovery policy.
Three-quarters (73 per cent) of the 1,000 experts surveyed agree that “equitable economic growth and development and significant progress in combating climate change can be achieved at the same time”. Only 11 per cent disagree.
The overall findings from professionals across 115 countries who make or influence climate decisions was presented in Poznan, Poland, at the UN Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The survey found that decision makers believe that the price of carbon must nearly triple to over USD50 per tonne on average before their organisations will consistently implement climate-friendly decisions over more cost effective, but carbon-intensive options.
A key finding of the previous Climate Decision Makers Survey revealed just how important decision makers view the protection of biodiversity and ecosystem integrity. The latest updated poll reaffirms it. The majority (64 per cent) of decision makers say that investing in biodiversity protection and creating new financial mechanisms (59 per cent) as an incentive should be short-term climate priorities.
“This survey echoes the message we heard at IUCN’s World Conservation Congress in Barcelona,” says Julia Marton-Lefèvre, IUCN Director General. “We had 8,000 participants from 180 countries and the message they brought was clear; biodiversity underpins the well-being of human societies and their economies. We now have an understanding of the clear link between conservation and climate and that healthy ecosystems are the best defence against climate change.”
The survey was conducted by researchers at GlobeScan with the support of the World Bank, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), along with other contributing organisations.
“The fact that these decision makers across the world don’t see any inherent conflict between the economy and climate action certainly challenges the governments meeting in Poznan to move forward in spite of the current economic crisis,” says GlobeScan Chairman Doug Miller. “And they’re saying the price of carbon needs to be increased in order to stimulate action on the ground.”
“Combating climate change is the stimulus package needed to power the planet out of its current malaise and set the stage for a 21st century Green Economy – one that prizes resource efficiency, innovation and decent employment in developed and developing societies alike,” says Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director.
The survey additionally asked hands-on decisions makers to rate 17 specific approaches to addressing climate change. Increasing energy conservation and efficiency (77 per cent) rates as having the greatest potential impact on GHG emissions in the short term (rated “major” by 77 per cent). Ranked second is the removal of subsidies for carbon-intensive activities (76 per cent), a clear signal to policy makers needing to free up budgets to fund fiscal stimulus measures.
When asked to evaluate the potential of different technologies to lower atmospheric carbon concentrations in the longer term (25 years), efficiency and conservation (88 per cent) remain the most attractive among decision makers, well above nuclear energy (only 29 per cent rate current nuclear technology highly), carbon capture and storage (29 per cent on retrofits) and biofuels from food crops (only 12 per cent). Clearly, these decision makers see energy efficiency as the “low-hanging fruit”.
“The development challenge is to accelerate or maintain robust economic growth in poorer countries while also dealing with the impacts of climate change,” says Katherine Sierra, World Bank Vice President for Sustainable Development. “The new global survey supports the view that developing countries will need support in terms of finance, as well as technology in the fight against climate change. The financial situation is no justification for postponing action on climate change. Climate change is not waiting, so we cannot wait either.”
In spite of their strong opinion that economic development and climate action are synergistic, a plurality (44 per cent) expect that the current economic crisis will nonetheless hinder progress toward an effective international climate agreement.
The survey results provided guidance for negotiators in Poznan. A solid majority (66 per cent) of those surveyed endorse the G8+5 GLOBE legislator’s 2008 Tokyo Framework for International Cooperation beyond 2012 as a model for negotiators at Poznan and Copenhagen. Support is strong for an inclusive, multifaceted, long-term yet flexible global agreement that acknowledges the value of ecosystem services.
Unlike public opinion polls, this survey focused on the views of professionals in position to make or influence large decisions in government, the private sector and civil society. This focus, together with the survey’s large global sample and good balance of respondents across geographies and sectors, makes this survey unique.
For these and other survey results presented in Powerpoint, with methodological details, please visit: http://www.globescan.com/news_archives/cdms08/cdms_release_slides.ppt
Biochar: A Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Tool
The International Biochar Initiative (IBI) announces that the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has submitted a proposal to include biochar as a mitigation and adaptation technology to be considered in the post-2012-Copenhagen agenda of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Biochar is a fine-grained, highly porous charcoal that helps soils retain nutrients and water. The carbon in biochar resists degradation and can sequester carbon in soils for hundreds to thousands of years.
UNCCD proposes that biochar must be considered as a vital tool for rehabilitation of dryland soils: “The fact that many of the drylands soils have been degraded means that they are currently far from saturated with carbon and their potential to sequester carbon may be very high … making the consideration of Biochar, as a strategy for enhancing soils carbon sequestration, imperative.”
UNCCD also cites the ability of biochar to address multiple climate and development concerns while avoiding the disadvantages of other bioenergy technologies that deplete soil organic matter. Biochar restores soil organic carbon and soil fertility, reduces emissions from agriculture, and can provide clean, renewable energy.
Reduced deforestation is another biochar advantage cited by the UNCCD in their submitted proposal for including biochar in carbon trading mechanisms: “The carbon trade could provide an incentive to cease further deforestation; instead reforestation and recuperation of degraded land for fuel and food crops would gain magnitude.”
UNCCD proposes to include biochar in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), and to revise the rules to account for biochar as a permanent means of carbon capture. UNCCD also proposes adjusting the carbon offset rules to allow greater financial flows to help developing countries increase soil organic matter with biochar.
Overall, the potential magnitude of biochar as a climate mitigation tool is great. IBI Board Chair Dr Johannes Lehmann said, "Biochar production from agriculture and forestry residues can potentially sequester one gigaton of carbon in the world's soils annually by 2040. Using the biochar energy co-product to displace fossil fuel energy can approximately double the carbon impact of biochar alone."
IBI’s objective for the remainder of the UN meeting at Poznan is to interest more countries in proposing biochar for consideration as a mitigation and adaptation technology in the post-2012 Copenhagen process of the UNFCCC.
For more information on biochar, see:
The International Biochar Initiative
Biochar is a fine-grained, highly porous charcoal that helps soils retain nutrients and water. The carbon in biochar resists degradation and can sequester carbon in soils for hundreds to thousands of years.
UNCCD proposes that biochar must be considered as a vital tool for rehabilitation of dryland soils: “The fact that many of the drylands soils have been degraded means that they are currently far from saturated with carbon and their potential to sequester carbon may be very high … making the consideration of Biochar, as a strategy for enhancing soils carbon sequestration, imperative.”
UNCCD also cites the ability of biochar to address multiple climate and development concerns while avoiding the disadvantages of other bioenergy technologies that deplete soil organic matter. Biochar restores soil organic carbon and soil fertility, reduces emissions from agriculture, and can provide clean, renewable energy.
Reduced deforestation is another biochar advantage cited by the UNCCD in their submitted proposal for including biochar in carbon trading mechanisms: “The carbon trade could provide an incentive to cease further deforestation; instead reforestation and recuperation of degraded land for fuel and food crops would gain magnitude.”
UNCCD proposes to include biochar in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), and to revise the rules to account for biochar as a permanent means of carbon capture. UNCCD also proposes adjusting the carbon offset rules to allow greater financial flows to help developing countries increase soil organic matter with biochar.
Overall, the potential magnitude of biochar as a climate mitigation tool is great. IBI Board Chair Dr Johannes Lehmann said, "Biochar production from agriculture and forestry residues can potentially sequester one gigaton of carbon in the world's soils annually by 2040. Using the biochar energy co-product to displace fossil fuel energy can approximately double the carbon impact of biochar alone."
IBI’s objective for the remainder of the UN meeting at Poznan is to interest more countries in proposing biochar for consideration as a mitigation and adaptation technology in the post-2012 Copenhagen process of the UNFCCC.
For more information on biochar, see:
The International Biochar Initiative
Micronesia Backing for Biochar at Poznan
Micronesia has filed a submission at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) proceedings underway in Poznan to introduce biochar as a technology for consideration as a “fast-start” strategy to “mitigate climate change in the immediate near-term.” The submission places biochar on the draft agenda to be considered during UNFCCC negotiations in Copenhagen in 2009.
Micronesia’s proposal follows the filing of a submission endorsing biochar by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The UNCCD, a sister convention to the UNFCCC, identified biochar as a unique opportunity to address soil as a carbon sink.
IBI Executive Director Debbie Reed said, “This is an incredibly important achievement, since Micronesia has officially positioned biochar as a mitigation technology for adoption even prior to the post-2012 framework. The UNCCD submission was an excellent start to what we sought here in Poznan, but the Micronesia submission offers a chance to jump-start efforts to adopt biochar as a climate change mitigation technology.”
For Micronesia, an island state, early and rapid action on climate change is of utmost importance. Micronesia has identified biochar as one of a few “action commencing now” technologies that make up an essential “fast start strategy.” It endorses “Promoting biochar carbon sequestration as a near-term carbon mitigation and storage strategy, which removes carbon from the carbon cycle by drawing down atmospheric concentrations of CO2 and provides near permanent carbon storage while also improving soil productivity and reducing the need for fossil fuel-based fertiliser.”
Underscoring both the benefits and the early and rapid action potential of biochar, the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) hosted a side event on Thursday titled: “New stoves for rural households to capture carbon, reduce deforestation, and improve soil fertility.” The event introduced the concept of mobilising rural households to adopt new high-efficiency cookstoves that reduce emissions and also produce charcoal that can be incorporated into soils for both carbon sequestration and soil improvement.
Delegates from both developed and developing countries attended the event. Following the talks, many delegates expressed interest in including biochar in their development strategies and in working with the IBI on it’s Developing Country Initiative to introduce and evaluate biochar production technologies at the household and village/neighbourhood level.
Micronesia’s proposal follows the filing of a submission endorsing biochar by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The UNCCD, a sister convention to the UNFCCC, identified biochar as a unique opportunity to address soil as a carbon sink.
IBI Executive Director Debbie Reed said, “This is an incredibly important achievement, since Micronesia has officially positioned biochar as a mitigation technology for adoption even prior to the post-2012 framework. The UNCCD submission was an excellent start to what we sought here in Poznan, but the Micronesia submission offers a chance to jump-start efforts to adopt biochar as a climate change mitigation technology.”
For Micronesia, an island state, early and rapid action on climate change is of utmost importance. Micronesia has identified biochar as one of a few “action commencing now” technologies that make up an essential “fast start strategy.” It endorses “Promoting biochar carbon sequestration as a near-term carbon mitigation and storage strategy, which removes carbon from the carbon cycle by drawing down atmospheric concentrations of CO2 and provides near permanent carbon storage while also improving soil productivity and reducing the need for fossil fuel-based fertiliser.”
Underscoring both the benefits and the early and rapid action potential of biochar, the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) hosted a side event on Thursday titled: “New stoves for rural households to capture carbon, reduce deforestation, and improve soil fertility.” The event introduced the concept of mobilising rural households to adopt new high-efficiency cookstoves that reduce emissions and also produce charcoal that can be incorporated into soils for both carbon sequestration and soil improvement.
Delegates from both developed and developing countries attended the event. Following the talks, many delegates expressed interest in including biochar in their development strategies and in working with the IBI on it’s Developing Country Initiative to introduce and evaluate biochar production technologies at the household and village/neighbourhood level.
What they're saying about Poznan
With five days to go at COP 14 in Poznan, here's a selection of comments on the progress thus far from around the world:
- "The crucial climate change negotiations in Poznan, Poland, are heading nowhere fast. Charged with producing a plan for cutting carbon emissions, governments have so far produced copious amounts of hot air and little else, with ministers recycling vague promises of future action." - Kevin Watkins, writing in Saturday's Guardian
- "With slim results so far, U.N. climate talks in Poland enter the home stretch this week haunted by Europe's splintering resolve over its own climate package and the void created by a lame-duck negotiating team from the United States." - Agence France-Presse
- "It seems that many, including the government, no longer believe it is 'realistic' to take the action necessary to prevent substantial shifts in the global climatic system. However, failing to take adequate action to mitigate climate change will impose substantial economic and societal costs, as well as locking Australia out of the benefits of the emerging green economy." - Amanda McKenzie of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, ABC Online
- "Rich countries have been sloth-like in the first week and wasted time by exchanging known positions. Ministers must switch to real negotiation mode next week." - Kim Carstensen (Leader, WWF Global Climate Initiative)
Poznan Day Seven: Daily Press Briefing
With no press briefing on Saturday and a rest day Sunday, Yvo de Boer gave an update on Monday of a number of issues under discussion, including Adaptation, REDD and risk and disaster insurance.
Poznan Day Five: Daily Press Briefing
Yvo de Boer told Friday's press briefing that many delegates were highlighting the need to move to a low-carbon society, citing the emission reduction range of -25 to -40 by 2020 over 1990 levels for industrialized countries, and asking these countries to show ambition and leadership with regard to these targets.
Poznan Day Four: Daily Press Briefing
At Thursday's press briefing, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer gave an update on a number of areas under discussion, including Adaptation.
Poznan Day Three: Daily Press Briefing
The market-based mechanisms under the Kyoto Protocol were highlighted by Yvo de Boer at Wednesday’s press briefing; Parties in Poznań are considering ways to enhance the existing mechanisms and looking at the role mechanisms will play in the future.
Poznan Day Two: Daily Press Briefing
UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer's media briefing on the second day at Poznan, 2 December 2008.
COP 14 Poznan
The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznań will be a milestone on the road to success for the processes which were launched under the Bali Road Map. The meeting comes midway between COP 13 in Bali, which saw the launch of negotiations on strengthened international action on climate change, and COP 15 Copenhagen, at which the negotiations are set to conclude.
The conference will include the 29th sessions of the Convention’s subsidiary bodies - SBSTA and SBI – as well as the 4th session of the AWG-LCA and the 2nd part of the 6th session of the AWG-KP. The Poznań meeting, which is expected to draw around eight thousand participants, will both advance international cooperation on a future climate change regime and ensure progress on key issues.
Catch Earthwitness' coverage of Poznan here.
Official Web Sites:
www.cop14.gov.pl
UNFCCC
NGO coverage by:
WWF
Greenpeace
The conference will include the 29th sessions of the Convention’s subsidiary bodies - SBSTA and SBI – as well as the 4th session of the AWG-LCA and the 2nd part of the 6th session of the AWG-KP. The Poznań meeting, which is expected to draw around eight thousand participants, will both advance international cooperation on a future climate change regime and ensure progress on key issues.
Catch Earthwitness' coverage of Poznan here.
Official Web Sites:
www.cop14.gov.pl
UNFCCC
NGO coverage by:
WWF
Greenpeace
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