The issue of Climate Change has become one of the priorities of governments the world over. The results of Carbon Emissions on the ozone have not only impacted the developed nations, it has become a serious concern for African nations as food security could be directly affected by changing weather patterns. And from November 28 to December 9 this year, the progress in dealing with climate change and the reduction of greenhouse emissions with take centre stage in South Africa’s coastal city, Durban. Thousand of people from both developed and developing countries across the world are to converge on Durban. It is hoped that successful negotiations reached in Cancun, Mexico last year will be taken forward with the finalization of the ‘Green Fund’. The Fund’s contributions will come from developed countries to enable the developing world to fulfill obligations of the convention. The SA government has continually pledged its support for the greening of the nation, continent and the world. The government has approved half a billion rand in preparation for the conference. The money will be used to create climate change awareness campaigns in communities. Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa has assured non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that government is very sympathetic to both Global Day of Climate Change, Climate Action that is the Peoples March and other events and activities during the COP17. She said: “We believe that as we meet at Durban’s ICC, voices of people of the world must continue to alert us to the urgency of the challenges that we face.” (sbCOP17 (1) Cabinet has also appointed an Inter-Ministerial committee to lead preparations. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, who is chairing this committee, will also chair the conference. The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs will lead the South African delegation. Other members are the Ministers of Energy, Finance, Home Affairs, Economic Development, Trade and Industry, National Planning Commission, Mineral Resources, Public Enterprises, Tourism, Science and Technology, the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal and the Mayor of the Ethekwini municipality. Point to all campaigns Although SA is not among the top 10 of the world’s biggest emitters of green houses, the reality is that developing countries particularly those in Africa will be the ones heavily affected by climate change. By 2050, average rainfall in the summer rain regions of South Africa is predicted to drop by 5% to 10%. Average temperatures are predicted to rise by between 1ºC and 3ºC and the frequency of very hot days is predicted to increase. It is expected that rainfall will generally shift east, causing higher rainfall along the east coast and increased desertification in the rest of the country, which could lead to an overall decrease in arable land. Patterns of rainfall are expected to become heavier and less frequent. This is a huge risk to crops and increases the likelihood of flood damage as experienced earlier this year. Lack of access to fresh water and increased weather extremes will cause more health risks in many areas of the country. Disaster events have become an increasing burden on the country; many activists point this to the results of global warming. Incidents of veld fires are being reported in the Western Cape, severe drought conditions are currently being experienced in the Eastern Cape and heavy and recurrent rains are being experienced in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal amongst other provinces. If left unattended things will reach a point were food production will decrease as well as farming productivity. This will lead to an increase in food prices as supply will decrease and be limited. Climate issues have stopped being about tree huggers and ‘green’ protests, it has become a real issue that if not taken seriously will change the lives of billions of people. Durban’s readiness and plan A full delegation from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) conducted site visits in February and said it was impressed with the venue. It also confirmed that the venue can comfortably accommodate the space requirements of the UNFCC.
PREPARATIONS
Accommodation Service Provider Thompson’s Africa has been appointed as the only official accommodation service provider to ensure that conference delegates have access to sufficient, reasonably priced accommodation and this will help to avoid exploitation. Transportation The city has an extensive plan on how delegates and those who will be attending can move around the city. The plan has covered almost all modes of transportation from airport and hotel shuttles to cyclists and pedestrians. Safety and security Durban is said to have most advanced Disaster Management Centre in Africa. The area where the COP17 will take place has been given an island site – totally secured precinct with restricted access, where access will be limited for accredited persons only. The city’s security will include police, metro police as well as fire and disaster management teams. The green plan Durban plans to make the conference as green friendly as possible. A green corridor tours will also be offered so as to show case green initiatives in the city. The conference will be a carbon-neutral event Sustainable transport – were among others delegates will be offered bicycles for use and some venues will be located within walking distance to the main conference. Business Opportunities Business will be offered the opportunity to show case green technologies Durban will also host a local products market in the area near to the ICC in order to showcase local arts and crafts. Products will be carefully selected and vetted for quality and originality. Volunteers A number of volunteers will be appointed to assist in a range of areas around the event including the “green tours”. Volunteers will be expected to speak a range of international languages. Given budget constraints volunteer numbers are to be limited to what is essential
Agenda and issues to dominate Issues and points discussed at the eighth Basic Ministerial Meeting on climate change which took place in Inhotim, Minas Gerais, on the 26th and 27th of August 2011 are set to be the main points to be discussed at the conference. Some the issues discussed there include; Kyoto Protocol Ministers reaffirmed that the Kyoto Protocol is a cornerstone of the climate change regime. They want Parties to the Kyoto Protocol to work constructively to ensure that there is no gap between the first and second commitment periods. Click here for the Protocol Pending issues to be concluded Taking note of India´s submission of items to be added to the provisional agenda of the COP, Ministers underlined the importance of addressing pending issues which must be advanced in Durban. This is essential to generate the necessary balance in the climate change negotiations. Cancun operationalization This requires the operationalization of all the institutions agreed to in Cancun, including the registry for nationally appropriate mitigation actions and international support; the Adaptation Committee; the Technology Executive Committee, Centre and Network; and the Green Climate Fund, which must provide significant means of implementation for immediate action to tackle climate change. Green Climate Fund This will help in ensuring appropriate overview of the Green Climate Fund by the Conference of the Parties, in order to ensure its adequate management and timely disbursements to developing countries. The fund’s contributions will come from the developed world to enable developing countries to address climate change issues. Financing A common reporting format for finance is a priority for Durban to enable accounting of performance against the delivery of the quantified finance target of US$ 100 billion per year by 2020. MRV This call for the need for stringent common accounting rules, with a view to ensuring transparency and comparability of mitigation commitments by all developed countries. Ministers pointed out the robust contribution already offered by developing countries in emission reductions, which demonstrates a higher level of effort in comparison to mitigation by developed country Parties. Equitable access to sustainable development This work will serve as a valuable contribution to the body of scientific knowledge informing policy development. Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) Ministers recognized the importance of enhancing action to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, enhance removals by forests and sustainable forestry management practices, on the basis of scaled up international financing and technology transfer. They also underlined important additional benefits that REDD+ can offer to sustainable development in areas such as biodiversity protection. Dangers of unilateralism G77 and China Ministers emphasized the importance of G77 and China unity and its key role in climate change negotiations. They noted the clear demonstrations by the G77 and China of leadership and willingness to contribute to a strong global effort. They decided to maintain the “BASIC-plus” approach, in order to enhance the transparency of its meetings. They also praised the role played by the South African incoming COP Presidency and its efforts to organize inclusive, high-level consultations on climate change, which will contribute to a successful and ambitious outcome in Durban. Stakeholders likely to attend the meeting Over 15 000 formal accredited delegates are expected to attend to the conference. With a further estimate of between a further 5000 and 15 000 who will be on the side-lines of the event, involved in showcasing projects, business meetings, related events. The Durban Conference will comprise of: The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP), The 7th Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP), The 35th session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI), The 35th session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA), The Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP) The Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention
– By Gabaiphiwe Malatsi
