[I will be doing a series of summaries on the communication made by the international environmental organization, the Climate Action Network, a group that coordinates many other environmental NGOs and is a prominent voice in civil society here at COP21. They give a daily press briefing which is a good summary of the state of affairs at COP21 and is widely attended by many press organizations as well as other NGOs.]
CAN COP21 Press Conference: Tuesday, Dec 1st, 2015.
At the daily Press brief of Climate Action Network (CAN), members expressed cautious optimism from their observations of the first day of negotiations. Positive signs from countries like India and China suggest that a deal is possible, considering their previous role as a stopping power in earlier negotiations. Prime Minster Modi’s “constructive tone” was noted as a sign of flexibility from India, especially with the launch of the International Solar Alliance with the French President Francois Hollande. However, some expressed frustration with the negotiations outside of the head of state forum, saying that “negotiators are stuck in negotiation mode,” while there is necessity for actual agreement and action.
Developments from the Climate Vulnerable Forum, a group of 43 of the most vulnerable nations to climate change, expressed that plans to limit warming to 2 degrees Celsius would not be enough to protect the most vulnerable people, arguing instead that a goal of 1.5 degrees would be necessary to protect all. A representative said that this goal is “difficult but not impossible,” and that a need for increased push for a commitment to full decarbonation.
This goal of 1.5 degrees has caused a rift in the major block of G77 countries, with some nations maintaining the agreed upon 2-degree commitment. Sanjay Vashit, a director of Climate Action Network South Asia, noted that even nations like India agree with the 1.5-degree commitment, but that this increased mitigation must happen in or be financially facilitated by developed countries.
At the daily Press brief of Climate Action Network (CAN), members expressed cautious optimism from their observations of the first day of negotiations. Positive signs from countries like India and China suggest that a deal is possible, considering their previous role as a stopping power in earlier negotiations. Prime Minster Modi’s “constructive tone” was noted as a sign of flexibility from India, especially with the launch of the International Solar Alliance with the French President Francois Hollande. However, some expressed frustration with the negotiations outside of the head of state forum, saying that “negotiators are stuck in negotiation mode,” while there is necessity for actual agreement and action.
Developments from the Climate Vulnerable Forum, a group of 43 of the most vulnerable nations to climate change, expressed that plans to limit warming to 2 degrees Celsius would not be enough to protect the most vulnerable people, arguing instead that a goal of 1.5 degrees would be necessary to protect all. A representative said that this goal is “difficult but not impossible,” and that a need for increased push for a commitment to full decarbonation.
This goal of 1.5 degrees has caused a rift in the major block of G77 countries, with some nations maintaining the agreed upon 2-degree commitment. Sanjay Vashit, a director of Climate Action Network South Asia, noted that even nations like India agree with the 1.5-degree commitment, but that this increased mitigation must happen in or be financially facilitated by developed countries.
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