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ECO is CROSS and PUZZLED: Where’s the ambition on phasing out fossil fuels?
10 Dec 2019
When Energy Ministers meet today, ECO hopes to hear real talk about ambitious plans to phase out fossil fuels and accelerate the transition to a socially just, renewable energy economy. Because we need to get moving on that now to limit warming to 1.5 degrees €“ and that’s a matter of life and death for […]
It’s Not That There is No Money, Stupid!
9 Dec 2019
ECO has heard that finance ministers generally like talking about numbers and money. That is great, because the lack of money is something which hinders the necessary transformation in many countries. Greater financial support from rich countries can help shift political will towards more climate action in developing countries. So here is some inspiration for […]
The Wrong Direction on Article 6
9 Dec 2019
After many hours of waiting on Saturday, ECO was dismayed when it searched the new texts for human rights, safeguards, and clarity on an ITMO definition and found that nothing was there. Sure, there are fewer brackets, but fewer brackets do not magically translate to successful rules that ensure carbon markets won’t lead to harming […]
At Least Parties Admit It’s a “Very Negative Signal”
9 Dec 2019
It’s really a pretty straightforward question: What should the time frame of NDCs be? ECO is dumbfounded at the approach Parties have taken to the negotiations on this issue during the COP. After failing to reach agreement on draft conclusions and how to capture the progress from this session in their supposed final session on […]
Biodiversity and Just Transition
9 Dec 2019
ECO is in shock after discovering yesterday that biodiversity and just transition are missing from the elements for decision 1/CP.25!
Dear Ministers, We Need to Talk!
9 Dec 2019
Dear Ministers, we need to talk! And frankly, before we do so, you need to learn to listen. 500,000 people were out on the streets of Madrid, marching for an outcome from this COP25 that adequately responds to the climate emergency. When you arrive here, you do so after a year that witnessed the rise […]
Multilateral Assessment, Part II – We’ve Got More Questions for You
9 Dec 2019
ECO is excited to see Annex I Parties participating in the multilateral assessment for their biennial reports. ECO welcomes the participation and thinks the multilateral assessment can be a great place to share lessons learned and experiences with other Parties in a constructive environment. We look forward to hearing your presentations and Q&A sessions throughout […]
Voices from the Front Lines: Nunavut – Silavut – Imaqput
9 Dec 2019
Our Land – Our Breath – Our Oceans By Johnny Issaluk, Arctic Ambassador, Explorer in Residence – Royal Canadian Geographical Society Growing up in Igluligaarjuk (Chesterfield Inlet), Nunavut, Canada, on the west coast of Hudson’s Bay, I was graced with the traditions and riches of my Inuit culture. With a population of 300 people, my […]
Too Late for “Later” on Timeframes!
7 Dec 2019
ECO has a difficult life making choices sometimes. We grapple with choosing which sandwich to eat for lunch or which pavilion has the best coffee. So we sympathise with Parties who have spent a lot of time struggling to decide on their preference for common NDC time frames, debating between 5 years, 10 years, or […]
Half a Million March in Madrid to Bring Climate Strikes to the COP
7 Dec 2019
With fists up, banners high, and hearts ablaze with conviction, over 500,000 people took to the streets of Madrid last night to strike for climate action. ECO was on the Paseo del Prado to join the marchers €” led by the Fridays For Future youth movement €” and judging by the emptiness of IFEMA yesterday […]