UNFCCC: NGO participation

Nedan följer information som skickats ut från UNFCCC angående tillträde till Bella Center under torsdag och fredag:

Dear side events organizers,

Further to the site access limit effective from today, it has been decided that there will be no more registration of NGOs at the COP 15.

Consequently, side event speakers who have not received a photo badge by Tuesday, 15 December will not be able to access the venue any more. On Thursday, the site access will be further limited to 1,000 NGO participants. On Friday, the number will be further reduced to 500. The allocations of these numbers are planned to be coordinated through constituencies, rather than by a quota per organization. Please refer to the Daily Programme for further information.

We suggest that you consider replacement of the speakers with those with a photo badge and a secondary card or to cancel the side event.

We appreciate that you all invested a lot of resources both human and financial in the event, but the unexpected development of the nomination level and of the High Level Segment have compelled the secretariat to install a series of safety and security measures that led to this conclusion.

We are keenly aware of your frustration and your questions answered. I will be happy to meet with you in person tomorrow in the morning. We scheduled a meeting at 0:30 in Bodil Udsen tomorrow.

With compliments from UNFCCC Observer Organizations Liaison Team.

Maria Svane, GMV

Linus Helming, Johan Torén, Marcus Högberg: High-level Youth Briefing with Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, Chairman of the IPCC

Background to Youth Briefings at COP 15

Young people have been present at climate negotiations since the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, and their actions have resulted in widespread media coverage and the mobilization of thousands of their peers. It is estimated that 200 young people participated at the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP) at its thirteenth session held in Bali in December 2007, 500 at COP 14 in Poznan in December 2008, and indications are that more than 1500 youths are attending COP 15 in Copenhagen.

 Since September 2008, the UNFCCC secretariat has liaised with youth organizations around the world in an effort to facilitate participation by young people in the UNFCCC process. A year later, the secretariat granted a probationary constituency status to youth, now recognized as the YOUNGO constituency.

With the financial support of the Government of the Netherlands and input from YOUNGO, the secretariat has designed and planned a series of activities to support and enhance the COP preparatory activities of the youth, to increase youth participation from developing countries and to support and enhance youth contribution to COP 15.

In this context, the secretariat will host a series of youth briefings during COP 15 to facilitate dialogue between youth and other influential actors in the intergovernmental process – notably negotiators and UN senior officials.

IPCC chair Pachauri address youth at COP: “If you have hope, you have joy.”

Similar to a press conference, this 30-minute event provided an opportunity for Dr. Pachauri to make a short intervention to discuss the linkages between climate science and COP 15 negotiations. Interventions were followed by questions from youths. The press was also invited to the event which could be seen as a webcast.

Some Notes and Citations from the Seminar

“To bring about a change, youths can make a tremendous change in the question of mitigating climate change”, Dr. Pachauri said, where he gave a great deal of hope to youth organizations, to take action and work on meaningful projects to mitigate climate change.

The discussions proceeded with some insights into the climategate suspicions. Dr. Pachauri demented the accusations; the article in question is included in the report and that all the comments can be found on the IPPC website: http://www.ipcc.ch.

Dr. Pachauri left us with some inspiring words: “You can do a lot here in Copenhagen, but you can do so much more when you get home. […] Get involved and engage your local politicians, your lives extend beyond the next elections. […] It’s the youth of the world that’s going to change all we need to.”

Chalmers delegation on behalf of

Linus Helming, student, Chalmers University of Technology

Marcus Högberg, Johan Torén, Linus Helming: Renewable Energy- The Key Solution to Mitigate Climate Change

This side event consisted of a high-level discussion panel composed of The European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) and renewable energy industry representatives, e.g. from the wind power sector. The seminar highlighted the importance of renewable energy in mitigating climate change and of proactive policy frameworks. EREC showed interesting results from investigations showing a clear trend of growing GDP and employment by increasing use of renewable energy. That is because the renewable energy sector, e.g. production of photovoltaics, is much more work intensive compared to the conventional use of oil and coal. The session also show-cased many renewable energy solutions applicable to implement for the replacement of fossil fuels, especially interesting was the concentrated solar power. According to EREC, the sunlight reaching the earth in one day produces enough energy to satisfy the world’s current power requirements for eight years. Even though only a fraction of that potential is technically accessible, this is still enough to provide just under six times more power than the world currently requires. The session gave us a positive feeling based on the fact that the solutions and the technologies needed to mitigate and adapt to climate change is already here, we just need the political will, economical incitements, global agreements and consensus for the transition into the era of renewables to take place.

For more information about the EREC project energy [r]evolution, please see:

http://www.erec.org/documents/publications/energy-revolution.html

Marcus Högberg, Johan Toren and Linus Helming, students, Chalmers University of Technology

Rasmus Einarsson: Agriculture Policy – Beyond Mitigation and Adaption

The heated debate on agriculture and food security has become one of the most central at COP15. The discussion must not only cover the relationship between climate change and agriculture methods, but also consider food security and the livelihoods of farmers, transportation and storage systems, and much more.

Seeing the bigger picture?

This was initially demonstrated at the side event co-hosted by the Danish ministry of agriculture, FAO and IFAD, where top level representatives made strong statements that food and agriculture systems must become more localized, stabilized, environmentally sound and less oil-dependent, while increasing yields and minimizing costs. Danish minister of agriculture, Eva Kjer Hansen, also suggested that the social and environmental multi-functionality of agriculture must be recognized as many of the world’s poor and 1 billion hungry are peasant farmers. Although never referred to during the debate, many of the above arguments are in agreement with conclusions from the heavy-weight 2008 IAASTD report “Agriculture at a Crossroads” [1], the result of a three-year process involving 900 participants and 110 countries.

However, many of the actual solutions proposed are debatable, such as the use of biochar, irrigation infrastructure investments, increased free trade, “seed technology”, etc. As stated in the IAASTD report, “[t]here is growing concern that opening national agricultural markets to international competition before basic institutions and infrastructure are in place can undermine the agricultural sector, with long-term negative effects for poverty, food security and the environment.” Still, Danish minister Hansen stated that she identifies increased free trade as a very important solution, without any further explanation.

And US Secretary of Agriculture, Thomas Vilsack, was asked if he sees any opposition between the farm subsidies used in the USA and the needs of the world’s 1 billion hungry. Mr. Vilsack responded that the US is ready to review the support they give to farmers, under the condition that other countries act to open up their food markets more. Then he rapidly moved on to emphasize the importance of proper post-harvest storage, transportation and other handling for alleviation of world hunger.

Klimaforum: People’s climate summit

Many of the fundamental systemic changes requested by scientists and activists are obviously hard to realize, and it’s not hard to see the dilemmas faced by politicians. A more holistic debate is held at Klimaforum, where the economic-political reality of implementation is less imminent. For example, Vandana Shiva, Debbie Barker et alia argued against genetically modified crops as a climate and food security solution. But it was pointed out during this session that farmer-led seed development most likely will not drive economic growth the same way large seed companies can. I wonder, naturally: Who would benefit if the control over seeds was moved closer to farmers?

Biochar and the CDM

A final example is the debate over biochar for climate mitigation. The International Biochar Initiative (IBI) hosted a side-event at COP15 where the panel made two things clear: 1) the biochar debate must become more factual and science-driven, and 2) we need systems perspectives and not only look at details. I could not agree more. Panellist Johannes Lehmann (Cornell University) also presented a “Biochar 101” outlining the basic idea: charcoal addition to degraded soil increases soil fertility and water retention while sequestering carbon if the charcoal is made from biomass. The panellists also presented some small-scale, community-integrated projects where biochar is successfully produced with economic benefit for farmers.

A biochar sceptic in the audience was happy to see the focus on small-scale, slow-moving projects with farmer participation, and asked if the IBI is even ready to take a clear stance against including biochar in the Clean Development Mechanism. The IBI answered that economizing carbon sequestration is far too important and that biochar could be a very good part of the CDM.

My impression is that the IBI has contradicting arguments: On one hand, moving slowly is said to be important, and the incentives for biochar are already there for farmers. On the other hand, inclusion of biochar in the CDM is an incentive for foreign investors, which are likely to use a more rational large-scale approach. There is a risk of increased land-grabbing and large-scale projects with lacking concern for social and environmental issues. In conclusion, both social-environmental effects and additionality details should be investigated before including biochar in the CDM.

Leaving COP15: What next?

Some very important debate on agriculture and climate is going on at COP15. Regardless of what decisions are made for future mitigation and adaption in this sector, we will probably ask ourselves in a decade or two: Were we thoughtful enough? And were we forceful enough?

[1] Executive Summary of the Synthesis Report, International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development. 2008. Available online: http://www.agassessment.org

Rasmus Einarsson, student, chemical engineering with physics, Chalmers University of Technology

Liu Guoguo: Governments’ game or islands’ survival

During several negotiations in COP15, the discussion point still focus on the range of temperature increase. From small islands’ perspectives, their living conditions have encountered huge dangers if temperature continues rising, and they insist that in new documents, the temperature increasing range must be set no more than 1.5 degrees. However, developed countries delegations propose the temperature increase should be controlled in 2 degrees. The discussion of this issue is still carrying on, and result will be come out in the following days.

Liu Guoguo, student, Department of Environment and Energy, Chalmers University of Technology

Linus Helming, Marcus Högberg, Johan Torén: COP15 observations and impressions after the first day of participation (Friday 11th of December 2009)

The COP15 so far has been an overwhelming and outstanding event regarding the amount of impressions and events taking place. Today, we have participated in three events. In the morning we participated in an event that took place outside the actual negotiations and Bella Center, namely at the DR Consert House. An event called “Development and Climate Days at COP15”, which was a public event where anyone could attend. The event addressed land, water and forest issues organized by the International Institute for Environment and Development, where the Minister for Development Cooperation of Denmark, the CEO of Vestas, Greenbelt Movement Founder and Nobel Prize Laureate and a Professor of Economics from Oxford University participated in the opening session. More detailed observations from us can be found: previous blog entry

 After standing in line for security control, registration and photography for our COP15 badges, we were finally at inside the Bella Center. Thereafter, we stood in the WSC-SD exhibit, listening to Christopher Baan in a seminar with PlanetCall. We also spoke with an Indonesian parliament delegate to spread the idea of “Zero Waste Production in a Small/Medium Scale Industrial Cluster” which is a project we have been working on. After lunch we participated in a seminar on “REDD and the Amazon Forest Guardians: Indigenous peoples from Ecuador, Colombia and Bolivia”. This seminar addressed the importance of involving indigenous people in not only decision-making, but also the flow of information and education about the concept of REDD. The key points at the seminar were to increase respect, integrity and solidarity of indigenous people. More detailed observations from us can be found:  earlier blog entry

In between all the presentations, events and discussions we had time for an informal chat with the Executive Director of Windesal, which is a company that produces a technology which can generate fresh water from sea water by utilizing wind power. More information can be found at: http://www.windesal.com  

Tonight we are participating in a seminar arranged by HafenCity of Hamburg, Arup/UN-HABITAT and ETH Zurich/Fraunhofer ISI on “A policy matter: Innovation strategies of the power sector or 100% renewable energy for cities” that will address how does climate policy contribute to R&D and diffusion of low-carbon electricity production technologies? What policies are needed for a transition to 100% renewable energy for cities? And we can assure that this event will be as interesting and inspiring as the other events that we have participated in during our first day here in Copenhagen.

 Some impressions and statements from our first day here at COP15:

 -I personally think that this is a tremendous and nonrecurring experience of this kind and an opportunity to establish and expand a global network and partnership in numerous sectors in the society, allover the world. The variety and interesting events that are taking place is an amazing experience that I’m very pleased to be a part of, says Linus Helming.

 -It has been a tremendous experience to listen to the presentations, especially from indigenous people like the ones from the Amazon basin. This is really a one-time opportunity to global dialogue and for establishment of global partnership for collaboration, says Marcus Högberg.

Med Vänliga Hälsningar / Best Regards,

Linus Helming, M.Sc. in Innovative and Sustainable Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology

Member of Chalmers Students for Sustainability, CSS, Word Student Community for Sustainable Development WSC-SD, Engineers Without Borders

Liu Guoguo: Action at Copenhagen-interview with the Chinese business delegation

From December 7th to December 12th, Chinese entrepreneurs form a group to represent all Chinese enterprises attending the COP15 conference.

As the largest developing country, china plays a unique and important role in global movement to act on climate change. Wang Shi, as one of Chinese business representatives, said: “increasing Chinese enterprises have understood the direction of global trends and concern to green business. They have started to adopted positive measures to address problems associated with climate change.” Against a background where China faces a huge amount of international pressure on the question of carbon emission cuts, Chinese enterprises will take responsibility to enhance customers’ awareness to climate problem in order to reduce the carbon footprints. Chinese business delegations have strongly confidence to create entirely new green industry model in the following years.

Liu Guoguo, student, Department of Environment and Energy,Chalmers University of Technology

Marcus Högberg, Johan Toren, Linus Helming: Development and Climate Days at COP15

Our first day at COP15 started with an open session at the Concert House as part of the Development and Climate Days at COP15. The session focused on issues related to land, water and forests. The invited speakers were:

• Ms. Ulla Tørnæs, Minister for Development Cooperation of Denmark
• Mr. Ditlev Engel, CEO and President, Vestas
• Professor Paul Collier, Director, Centre for the Study of African Economies, Oxford University
• Professor Wangari Maathai, Greenbelt Movement founder, Nobel Prize winner 2004 

The Danish minister Ulla Tørnæs addressed why adaptation to climate change is considered a development challenge. According to her, global dialogue is a key element for adaptation to climate change. Additionally, action against poverty has to be made by preparing financial support from the developed world and as a step forward. On behalf of Denmark, the minister pledged 240 million USD for a fast start to climate adaptation, stressing that this is new and additional funding.

Next, Prof. Wangari Maathai discussed the indigenous tropical forests, especially the Amazon basin and the Congo forest (for which she also is ambassador). This is an important topic based on the fact that approximate 20% of the Green House Gas (GHG) emissions originate from the deforestation of tropical forests. For example, the deforestation in Kenya has resulted in severe water deficit and starvation of 10 million people. This which corresponds to one quarter of the population. Approximate half of Kenya’s population is living below the poverty line, making them very vulnerable for the effects of climate change. Due to shortage of water, Kenya’s largest hydro power plant has to be shut off. This has resulted in 70% of the electricity is lost with closed industries and serious unemployment as a result. The shortage of water has also resulted in prolonged droughts, decreased biodiversity, and declining income from tourism.

Mr. Ditlev Engel stated that his company focuses on Mexico, Brazil and Africa to support them with secure supply of sustainable energy from wind power. He also said that wind power is sustainable through a H2O perspective.

Professor Paul Collier had a controversial presentation where he stated a “silver bullet approach”; that Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) will solve the problem of poverty and starvation in Africa. The arguments was that we have to implement GMOs that sustain heat, cold, droughts and floods to be able to feed the growing population of Africa. In order to be less vulnerable to climate change, the African economy have to move from being agriculture based to being based on modern industry. Reactions to the presentation weren’t late, especially from the African part of the audience, who didn’t agree with Prof. Collier.

Marcus Högberg, Johan Toren and Linus Helming, students, Chalmers University of Technology

Linus Helming, Marcus Högberg, Johan Torén: No rights; no REDD!

The Coordinating Body for the Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin (COICA) in cooperation with the national indigenous organizations, the Forum on Readiness  for REDD and the Woods Hole Research Center today presented results from a series of workshops held with indigenous people in Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia and Brazil on the subject of REDD. The workshops had several purposes but focused on assessing the needs and concerns of the indigenous people regarding REDD including concerns with the current negotiations and the framework proposed for REDD in the months and years leading up to COP15.

During the event many concerns where voiced but the sentiment of the day was quite simply “The forest is the bank of life for the indigenous people” and that “REDD as presented wont protect our areas”.  The suggestion is instead that with a bottom up approach based on solidarity and mutual respect involve, inform and learn from people which has managed forests sustainably for eons. No rights: no REDD

Linus Helming, Marcus Högberg and Johan Torén, students, Chalmers University of Technology

reporting direclty from the COP15 climate negotiations in Copenhagen

Niklas Arvidsson: Reflections looking from the bus and reflections looking at the bus

Returning to the city from the Bella Centre yesterday evening, on one of the designated yellow CoP15 shuttle buses, a realization struck me right after the sight of a huge orange plastic sphere at the exit of the conference centre. 

This realization interrupted my pondering on the irony of the fact that the inhabitants of Copenhagen frequently see these shuttle buses occupied by no more than two to three passengers at the time: a paradox of imbalance which appears in almost all logistical ventures when moving goods or people from one place to another.

Instead, what struck me at the sight of the sphere was that all meetings I have attended so far have been full of numbers, numbers which did not mean much to me. Do not get me wrong here, I am an engineer and I love numbers, but I could simply not understand them: 250 megatonnes, 350 PPM, 20 gigatonnes, 300 000 trips with an airplane over the Atlantic, 10 trillion dollars. What do these numbers mean? How can I ever conceptualize them? And this is where the orange plastic sphere helped me. It contained a tonne of CO2 (pic). This as a fact is of less importance, but it made me realize I need to conceive the numbers, I need to visualize the numbers, I need to see more crazy journeys made by ”yogurt pots” to realize the severity of the situation. I suppose we might need more Hans Roslings  in future research?

Niklas Arvidsson, PhD Student, School of Business, Economics, and Law, Gothenburg University
Research area: More sustainable transportation