So there are just 7 weeks to go for the next UN Climate Change Conference to happen in beautiful Paris. In 7 weeks, I hope we see substantial changes. In 7 weeks I hope to see a difference. In 7 weeks I hope to see action.
This December, France is hosting the 21st Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This upcoming conference aims to secure a unified, legally binding international agreement on climate change on actions that are determined in keeping global warming below 2 degrees. This conference will bring together more than 190 nations to reach a consensus in mitigation efforts to reduce the threats of climate change.
This December, France is hosting the 21st Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This upcoming conference aims to secure a unified, legally binding international agreement on climate change on actions that are determined in keeping global warming below 2 degrees. This conference will bring together more than 190 nations to reach a consensus in mitigation efforts to reduce the threats of climate change.
But wait didn’t we try this before? I know you may ask this. I did too. The infamous Kyoto Protocol, that had a similar aim, which expired in 2012. The protocol encompassed assigning nations with targeted emission reduction. However it wasn’t entirely successful. Countries and big emitters such as China, Mexico and South Korea weren’t even given targets. To which they responded by happily emitting and developing. Moreover, the world’s biggest emitter – The United States, did not RATIFY the protocol. This pretty much sums up why that did not work out very well. With some of the biggest carbon dioxide emitters ignored, I would not call Kyoto Protocol a “Global Agreement”.
But I understand. Trying to get 196 nations to agree is not easy. The Guardian commented on the events of the Copenhagen Conference of 2009, which tried to get a treaty of it, as “everything but the treaty”. (That did make laugh). The Copenhagen Agreement was not even accepted by the UN due to the CHAOS (things got messy).
But I understand. Trying to get 196 nations to agree is not easy. The Guardian commented on the events of the Copenhagen Conference of 2009, which tried to get a treaty of it, as “everything but the treaty”. (That did make laugh). The Copenhagen Agreement was not even accepted by the UN due to the CHAOS (things got messy).
But lets leave the past behind. Will it be different this year? I hope so. Nations have already established their own targets through the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDCs) – sort of like a pledge. Moreover, this time the nations are trying something different that is to engage non-state actors. Such as cities, towns, businesses, NGOs. I think this grass root approach may be more influential than the traditional top-down approach. This year we have the sustainable development goals (SDGs), that provide the respective tools to allow sustainable development without surpassing climate boundaries.
The ingredients are in for a successful conference and agreement. But all we now need is cooperation amongst these nations. For them to first think about the world globally, and then their respective nations’ self interest. If cooperation is achieved, I am sure that the upcoming years will be successful. And green sovereignty will reign.
The ingredients are in for a successful conference and agreement. But all we now need is cooperation amongst these nations. For them to first think about the world globally, and then their respective nations’ self interest. If cooperation is achieved, I am sure that the upcoming years will be successful. And green sovereignty will reign.
References:
Harvey, Fiona. "Everything You Need to Know about the Paris Climate Summit and UN Talks." The Guardian. June 2, 2015. Accessed October 18, 2015. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jun/02/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-paris-climate-summit-and-un-talks.
"What Is COP21/CMP11?" What Is COP21/CMP11? Accessed October 18, 2015. http://www.cop21.gouv.fr/en/cop21-cmp11/what-cop21-cmp11.
"WORLD CLIMATE SUMMIT 2015." Accessed October 18, 2015.
Harvey, Fiona. "Everything You Need to Know about the Paris Climate Summit and UN Talks." The Guardian. June 2, 2015. Accessed October 18, 2015. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jun/02/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-paris-climate-summit-and-un-talks.
"What Is COP21/CMP11?" What Is COP21/CMP11? Accessed October 18, 2015. http://www.cop21.gouv.fr/en/cop21-cmp11/what-cop21-cmp11.
"WORLD CLIMATE SUMMIT 2015." Accessed October 18, 2015.