14 December 2015
COP 21 Side Events Address African Youth, SDGs, International Mountain Day on Final Day
story highlights

Following intensive consultations and bilaterals, UNFCCC COP 21 concluded on Saturday, 12 December 2015, with the adoption of the Paris Agreement and associated decision (FCCC/CP/2015/L.9/Rev.1).

On 11 December, a number of side events took place on the final official day of COP 21.

afric_cop2112 December 2015: Following intensive consultations and bilaterals, UNFCCC COP 21 concluded on Saturday, 12 December 2015, with the adoption of the Paris Agreement and associated decision (FCCC/CP/2015/L.9/Rev.1). On 11 December, a number of side events took place on the final official day of COP 21.

At the Africa Pavilion, an event titled ‘Climate for Development in Africa Youth Platform’ focused on the role of African youth on climate change issues in Africa, and showcased the African ClimDev Youth Platform (ACLYP). Participants said it is essential to “kill the narrative of negativity” around youth and that it is important that youth are not limited to advocacy but that they engage with opportunities in the energy, agriculture and forestry sectors for sustainable development.

During an event on ‘Agroforestry and REDD+ in Africa,’ participants discussed: the capacity of smallholder farmers to live with the forest and not of the forest; information sharing with farmers; and sensitizing farmers to diversification.

At an event on ‘Mainstreaming Climate Change into the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals in Africa: Why Sustainability Matters, panelists argued that it is necessary for Africa to have a “development first” strategy by exploring existing development initiatives that are climate resilient and environmentally friendly, while participants stressed: the need for good governance in Africa; how to finance and scale up proven technologies; and financing for the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). [IISD RS Coverage of Africa Pavilion]

Many side events were organized around COP 21 venue on 11 December. During an event on ‘The Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM): Achievements and Recent Progress of Project Implementation,’ participants addressed: access to the support scheme; separation of credits between Japan and partner countries; project cost limitations and timelines; and the future of the JCM.

At an event on ‘Emissions Reduction Potential from Green Building and Beyond’ participants considered the need for collaboration among the building and construction industry and national and local governments to ensure that green technologies reach the market.

During the event titled ‘International Mountain Day: Celebrating International Cooperation on Climate Change Adaptation in Mountain Environments – from Rio to Lima to Paris,’ panelists underscored that addressing implementation would be more beneficial than producing a report and hoped that the Green Climate Fund (GCF) would fairly share resources.

At an event titled ‘Preparing for the Action Plans on Post-2020 Climate Change Regime in Asia,’ participants considered the nature of the economies in rural areas to encourage uptake of clean cooking tools and clean energy and the need to build inter-ministerial capacities in order implement low-carbon development.

During an event on ‘Climate Law and Governance: Future Practices and Prospects,’ participants addressed: climate change litigation, and the role of statutory litigation; and backtracking from hard law to soft law commitments under the climate regime. [IISD RS Coverage of Side Events][IISD RS Coverage of Paris Climate Change Conference] [IISD RS Coverage of COP 21][Climate Change Policy & Practice story on the conclusion of COP 21]


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