October 2014: With a view to creating an informal dialogue among countries as leaders work toward a 2015 agreement on climate change, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) has convened officials from 20 countries under the initiative ‘Toward 2015: An International Climate Dialogue.’ The co-chairs of the group have released a report presenting their views, drawing on the discussions thus far.

The group, which has met four times in 2014, seeks to reach common understandings, exchange ideas and examine issues related to the climate negotiations under the UNFCCC. In their report, co-chairs Valli Moosa of South Africa and Harald Dovland of Norway present and discuss a number options in relation to nationally determined contributions (NDCs), timeframes, ex ante consideration, adaptation, legal form/character and differentiation.

The chairs express support for a hybrid “top-down” and “bottom-up” approach in the UNFCCC negotiations, pointing out that combining elements of both approaches may be best for ensuring “both broad participation and strong ambition.” They highlight NDCs as a bottom-up element, and suggest that while they must be quantifiable, they should also “tell a story,” emphasizing aspects important to specific Parties, such as energy efficiency or economic diversification. The authors further highlight ex ante consideration as an opportunity to introduce a top-down element, building confidence around ambitious and intended action.

In the chairs’ opinion, there is room to elevate the importance of adaptation under the Convention, but not by remaking the adaptation architecture that has already been built. Instead they highlight the need to fill gaps, enhance coordination and ensure financial support. In considering legal form, the authors weigh the pros and cons of making NDCs legally binding, while under differentiation they share the view that an expectation of “no backsliding” can assure that country contributions are at least, if not more, rigorous as in the past.

The group anticipates meeting once more this year and will continue meeting in 2015. Officials involved in the Dialogue participate only in their personal capacity. [C2ES Press Release] [Publication: Toward 2015: An International Climate Dialogue Report of the Co-Chairs October 2014]