To better understand the implications of the outcomes of COP19 for diverse countries across the planet, the members of our team share their first reactions to the Warsaw climate decisions. See below for Asia-Pacific and Africa or return to part 1 for Latin American and Industrialized countries.
ASIA - PACIFIC
INDIA: strong positions despite a smaller delegation - by Avik Roy
India sent its smallest delegation of all time albeit playing a key in the Like-Minded Developing Countries bloc. India lobbied alongside G77+China bloc for Loss and Damage mechanism to be adopted as separately and not under Adaptation as pushed by the countries like the US. It also wanted a separate window under the Green Climate Fund provide quick resources for loss and damage of the developed and least-developed countries.
India maintained its stance on Common but Differentiated Responsibilities that developing countries like India and China, which are major carbon emitters, cannot reduce its scale down on its emissions drastically as it will hurt its growth, taking the position that developing countries do not have the resources to switch to more eco-friendly processes. In this context, India has surprisingly objected to inclusion of the Equity Reference Framework this time in Warsaw. As far as the issue of HFC is concerned India has downplayed any argument saying that HFC doesn’t fall under the category of greenhouse gas emission and hence not enforceable under the Montreal Protocol.
The Warsaw talks are not going to have any direct implication on the people of India. With general election due in 2014 one of the challenges before the Government is provide power and energy to at least half of its over 400 million population. Coal is the source of 52 per cent of India’s energy. Although several ambitious programme like National Solar Mission exist and a lot of fund is being channelled into it, India still has a long way to go before it can claim itself to be in the league of gentlemen adopting clean energy.
India does need to desperately work towards a solution on greenhouse gas emission. By virtue of its natural topography and climate India has a lot to lose from climate change. Particularly when you consider that there are 1.2 billion of us.
PHILIPPINES: elevated as the moral voice in this conference, reserved about the loss and damage mechanism - by Carlie Labaria
The Philippines had the unfortunate circumstance of opening COP19 with the news of yet another unprecedented climate disaster brought about by supertyphoon Haiyan. Lead negotiator Naderev (Yeb) Saño appealed for the parties to “Stop the climate madness!” and embarked on a voluntary fast until the talks made meaningful progress. The outcome, however, fell short of what was ‘meaningful’. Particularly, the Philippines expressed reservations over the compromise on the international mechanism on loss and damage but accepted it as a way forward. It put on record that the 2016 review of the mechanism should reconsider institutional location of mechanism.
On the plus side, among its national successes for this latest round of talks is the adoption of the Warsaw framework on Forests that established the legal and policy framework on REDD-plus, with safeguards and non-carbon benefits as part of the package. The REDD-plus initiative is said to be supported by financing pledged by the U.S., Norway, and the UK amounting to USD 280 Million.
CHINA: playing an ambivalent role in climate politics - by Jiang Wei
Before and during the COP, China made it clear that it would play a constructive role in the negotiation. This statement, however, didn’t turn out quite the way it was said. The repeated emphases by China on developed countries’ commitment contributed little to facilitate an ambitious outcome. Besides, the issue that China expected the most from the conference – climate finance – fell short of the expectations from many negotiators. Consequently, the world still sees China ambivalently. On the one hand, it seems to have been putting real efforts in domestic emission cut; on the other hand, its contribution to the negotiation is rather dissatisfying. There is still a long way to go to reach the ambitious target of a carbon intensity reduction of 40% to 45% by 2020. Considering that this pledge remains ambitious, the country will need more momentum. Without any tangible fruits at Warsaw, it is better for China to first focus on the domestic arena, actualizing step by step its various projects for the sake of a greener and lower consumption future, including the betterment of its own emission trading scheme, low-carbon city pilots, shift in transportation, building, public infrastructure, and lifestyle. And for next year, we hope China could start playing stronger in leading changes.
AFRICA
KENYA: progress on loss & damage & REDD but mixed results for adaptation - by Edna Odhiambo
Kenya like many of her developing counterparts sought the establishment of an independent mechanism on Loss and Damage. The establishment of a mechanism is viewed as progress; however the fact that it will be considered under adaptation until review in 2016 is to a great extent viewed as an impediment to an effective mechanism as envisaged. Kenya was happy about the substantial gains recorded in the REDD+ financing mechanism and hopes this will ensure easier access to REDD+ finance which will eventually boost her forest cover. Though not satisfactory, Kenya hopes that the commitments made by a few developed nations towards adaptation finance will inspire other developed nations to pledge as well and allow for a fully functional adaptation fund because finance is imperative if meaningful progress is to be recorded in the negotiation process. Not to say that Kenya has lost faith in the international finance mechanism, but much effort is being channeled towards bilateral and multilateral agreements. Kenya felt that the ADP text could be more ambitious especially in demanding new emission reduction targets and on matters relating to adaptation.
NIGERIA - weak engagement at the COP for the “Giant of Africa” by Hamzat Lawal
Nigeria came to COP19 unprepared like previous COP meetings, with the lead negotiator stuck in Abuja, the capital city due to bureaucratic reasons, Activists and CSOs denied of Visa entry by Polish government and lack of commitments from the National Government. Nigeria had not clear agenda except for asking for funding from our development partners & the international communities as always and hiding behind decisions (umbrella) of the African Group. Our role in this talks has always been follower-ship instead of taking the leadership role as the so called Giant of Africa, No doubt, Nigeria is far behind and on the wrong track. It is now very obvious that the way forward is to have national coordinating institution with legal backing to champion climate change issues in Nigeria while engaging various key players (Private sect, government, public, academia, development partners) etc.
As a country, we only made significant progress on REDD+ programs as more commitments came on the table during the Warsaw climate talks by some developed countries.
Continue here with the perspectives of our fellows from Latin America and Industrialized Countries…
Picture credit: iisd/ENB