6 November 2017: On Monday, 6 November, the German Pavilion at COP 23, which is organized around the theme, ‘Together for Climate Solutions,’ officially opened. The Talanoa Space, a zone provided by Fiji and Germany to showcase climate activities by non-state actors and encourage an exchange of ideas, also held its official opening. In addition, numerous side events addressed topics ranging from renewable energy in the Pacific, to implementation of Article 6 (cooperative approaches) of the Paris Agreement on climate change, to catalyzing implementation of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
During the German Pavilion opening, Barbara Hendricks, Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety, Germany, explained that the Pavilion would provide an opportunity for Germany to present its national climate actions and priorities. Gerd Müller, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany, announced that Germany would allocate an additional €1 billion for global mitigation and adaptation actions. [German Pavilion Website]
An opening ceremony was held for the Talanoa Space, organized under the theme, ‘United for Climate Action.’ Set up by the Governments of Germany and Fiji, the Space seeks to enable non-state actors to showcase their activities and learn from each other. The term ‘talanoa’ is used in the South Pacific to describe inclusive, transparent dialogue. Inia Seruiratu, Fiji’s Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development, and National Disaster Management, and High-Level Climate Champion, pledged to “feed ideas” emerging from the Talanoa Space into the negotiations. Friedrich Kitschelt, State Secretary, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany, emphasized that while governments must provide the framework for ambitious climate action, non-state actors also have a critical role to play in implementation. A panel discussion followed with sub-national and non-state actors. [Talanoa Space Website]
An event titled, ‘Pacific Islands Inspiring Leadership in Renewable Energy,’ showcased the innovation and leadership taking place in Pacific SIDS on new renewable energy technologies. Tonga, the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) and Solar Head of State (SHOS), a non-profit organization formed by activists aligned with solar energy social entrepreneurs, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU). Discussions highlighted: the role of the private sector in facilitating the transition to renewable energy; challenges in moving from centralized to decentralized grid systems; and participatory approaches to revising legislative tools. The event was organized by SHOS and PIDF.
A side event titled, ‘Implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement,’ focused on how international markets can be used to meet Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Speakers noted that: NDCs must generate carbon value at the domestic level; Article 6 provides flexibility for Parties to implement the Paris Agreement; and carbon markets contribute to technology transfer, and provide an incentive for robust measurement, reporting and verification (MRV). During the discussion, participants addressed, inter alia: carbon pricing; clean technology investments; diversification of transport systems; and differing national social and economic contexts, which require different tools and trajectories to achieve a zero-carbon economy. The event was organized by the International Center for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD), the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) and the International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP).
A side event titled, ‘Catalyzing Climate Action, Realizing the SDGs: Science, Interconnections and Implementation,’ highlighted the need to improve understanding of the interactions between climate action and the SDGs. Panelists discussed, inter alia: linking national policy frameworks and the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development to scientific research; the need to include a human perspective in climate policy; and private sector engagement on, and cross-sectoral approaches to, implementation of the SDGs and the Paris Agreement. The event was organized by a group of research institutes from Africa and Germany, among others.
A side event titled, ‘Role of Women as Guardians of the Ocean at the Frontlines of the Climate-Development-Nature Nexus,’ explored the role of women in climate change responses, with “climate witnesses” from Pacific island states sharing their stories, and highlighting the links between gender and oceans. Raumanu Pranjivan-Sharma, Fiji and COP 23 Presidency, stressed the Presidency’s commitment to the COP’s work on gender and climate change, noting the planned adoption of principles on gender and climate change at COP 23. The event was organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Earth Island Institute (EII).
Other events addressed: “yardsticks” for success at COP 23, including on identifying concrete steps for the implementation of guidelines, ensuring effective participatory processes and limiting temperature rise to below 1.5ºC; recent scientific developments on Arctic climate change and its global impacts; and Europe’s climate policy after Paris, including the Climate Partnership of Alpine Communities and strategies to engage local municipalities. [ENBOTS Coverage 6 November] [IISD RS Coverage of Selected Side Events] [IISD RS Coverage of COP 23]
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IISD Reporting Services is producing ‘ENB on the side’ (ENBOTS), providing coverage of selected side events, special days and other events held at the UN Climate Change Conference. This Daily Update brings you the highlights.