CAN Intervention in the Bonn Climate Change Conference SBSTA & SBI Closing Plenary, 11 June, 2015

Fanny Petitbon (SBSTA):

Thank you Madam Co-Chair and distinguished delegates.

My name is Fanny Petitbon and I am speaking on behalf of Climate Action Network.

CAN welcomes the conclusion of the three issues that remained open after the adoption of the Warsaw Framework for REDD+. The focus should now switch to the implementation of all the provisions and guidance produced in the past years ensuring the highest standards of social and environmental integrity.

We encourage Parties to secure the links of REDD+ to the Paris climate agreement to guarantee long-term support and results.

Negotiations on the Framework for Various Approaches fell short of what was needed to assist the ADP negotiations in the avoidance of double-counting and the assurance of common standards for environmental integrity and net benefits in any ADP outcome.        

While it is clear that this technical work will take some time, we urge Parties to leverage their engagement in SBSTA to ensure that the conclusions of the COPs from Durban and Lima are reflected in any ADP recognition of market mechanisms.

Two valuable SBSTA workshops on agriculture showed that some workable solutions exist and are already being implemented to reduce the risks that farmers face.

We expect Parties to use the conversation from the workshop to inform negotiations going forward, and hope next year's workshops will provide for active civil society participation so that we can share our successful experiences with Parties.

Thank you.

 

Naomi Ages (SBI):

Thank you, Mr. Co-Chair and distinguished delegates.

I am Naomi Ages and I am speaking on behalf of Climate Action Network.

Last week’s Multilateral Assessments provided a valuable opportunity for mutual learning and enhanced transparency between Parties on their mitigation efforts. 

But they also highlighted yet again the collective international ambition gap in keeping global temperature rise limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius.  

The Structured Expert Dialogue that concluded in February confirmed this target as necessary if we are to avoid many of the disastrous impacts of climate change.

Climate Action Network strongly recommends that the SED’s findings inform the Paris outcome and was discouraged to see some Parties in Bonn attempt to skirt this scientific and moral imperative.

We would also like to underline the vital role that civil society plays in the UNFCCC process.

Having closely followed the budgetary discussions that took place during this session, CAN would like to highlight that it is not in favour of cutting funds for observer participation. 

Civil society has played an indispensable and unique role in the UN process since 1946, and the goals of the Convention cannot be achieved without broad and inclusive non-state actor involvement.

We thank you for your understanding.