Academy Of Natural Sciences’ Carol Collier On Beginning Of The UN Climate Conference
Photo

Carol Collier, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University’s Senior Watershed Policy Advisor and a Board Member of The Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania, is attending the United Nations Climate Conference in Paris.

She provided this observations at the beginning of the Conference this week--

Friday

Collier Friday morning Tweeted the latest version of the United Nations Climate Conference agreement from Paris.

Thursday

Here is what I have learned so far about the process.

There are really three levels of engagement:

1) There are high level ministers and negotiators who are working through an agreement that will be effective in 2020. It is being developed through ADP, a process following the Kyoto Protocol that expires in 2020. The negotiations accomplished this week will be the basis for the COP21 agreement to be signed next week by 196 signatories. Much work has already been completed by individual countries through the INDC Process,(intended nationally determined contributions), which are voluntary commitments.

2) Discussions within the “Blue Zone” where you must have a delegate’s pass , but not of the highest level to participate in the negotiations.  The Drexel delegation is categorized as NGO Observers.  There are hundreds/thousands of exhibits, country centers, press conferences, organized events (from one hour to an all day theme) and networking areas.

3) The Red Zone – (outside the more tightly secured Blue Zone). A more low-key, friendlier  area with exhibits, meetings and presentations by NGOs for other NGOs and the public. I went yesterday for a very good talk on river basin management sponsored by INBO and AGWA.

The key issues of the negotiations have been:

-- The type of document developed – treaty vs a more voluntary agreement – it will likely be very flexible

-- Financial support for counties not able from to address climate change mitigation but are especially vulnerable ( mostly Northern Hemisphere countries support for Southern Hemisphere countries)

-- Target temperature- current proposed individual country commitments do not lower emissions enough to target 2 degrees C.

-- The agreement will define overarching principles and targets

What is new this year--

-- People get it – there have been enough evidence of climate change across the globe to convince the 150 county delegations attending to seriously address the issues

--Private finance- led by Bill Gates, 20 counties and 27 private companies kick off clean energy fund and commitment to energy innovation

-- A Solutions Agenda for non-states/countries (private sector,NGOs, cities) for commitment and collaboration

-- New International Solar Alliance

-- The discussion is going beyond CO2 mitigation, realizing that we must address adaptation to the changes occurring now. What we must do now, pre-2020.

-- Also the mitigation and adaptation have to go hand and hand and many aspects eg. Forests – serve both.

-- Water, which has not previously discussed, is jumping up in importance – freshwater supplies, flooding, droughts, sea level rise, changing ecosystems, oceans

-- The value of natural capital as resilient, less costly solutions.

-- There is discussion on how resilient solutions, natural capital, water issues, and adaptation will grow in significance in next few COPs

To get her regular updates, follow her on Twitter at Carol Collier and #drexelcop21 or through NatureConservancyPA on Twitter.

Collier also served as Executive Director of the Delaware River Basin Commission, helped guide Pennsylvania’s 1998 21st Century Environment Commission, was Director of DEP’s Southeast Regional Office and worked for 19 years with BCM Environmental Engineers, Inc.

NewsClips:

PA Hopes To Be Among First To Comply With EPA Clean Power Climate Plan

Paris Climate Talks From A PA Perspective

Report: PA Better Prepared For Climate-Driven Threats

Philadelphia Issues First Climate Change Adaptation Report

Pittsburgh Mayor Heads To Paris For Climate Summit

Philly Has Much To Gain, Lose From Paris Climate Talks

Erie Benedictines Pledge To Reduce Carbon Pollution

Climate Change: The Engineer’s Dilemma In Philadelphia

Petitioners Press Penn State For More Action On Climate

Meteorologist: Warmest Start To Winter Since 1953

McGinty Wants US To Lead Climate Talks

Op-Ed: Casey Again Strong On Climate Issues

Op-Ed: US Must Do Its Share To Back Green Climate Fund

Op-Ed: Ask Alexander Hamilton About Climate Change

Op-Ed: Nuclear Power Essential To Countering Climate Change

Editorial: Climate Matters, In York And Beyond

Editorial: The Climate Nuts Meet

Editorial: UN Climate Conference Must Produce Plan

Reagan, Bush Reveal Contrast With Today’s GOP On Climate, Environment

How Mayors From Seattle To Shenzhen Lead On Pollution

Developing Nations Resist Bid For Carbon Goals

11 Countries Haven’t Made Pledges For Climate Deal

U.S. House Votes To Thwart Power Plant Climate Rule

Bloomberg: Obama’s Climate Push Likely To Survive GOP Foes

AP: Climate Negotiators Take Obama Comments To Heart

Climate Talks: What Happened, What’s Next

Climate Talks Get Down To Tough Business Of Compromise

Obama Urges World Action On Climate Change

A Path Beyond The Paris Climate Change Talks

Unusual Allies In Carbon-Tax Debate

Appalachia Grasps For Hope As Coal Loses Its Grip

Bloomberg: Big Oil’s War On King Coal

Clean Coal Technology Fails To Capture World’s Attention

Key Lawmaker Opens New Front In Climate Report Fight

Paris Climate Deal More Likely After Terror Attacks

Bloomberg: Momentum Growing For A Climate Deal

Key Sticking Points In UN Climate Talks

Legal Limbo Awaits Millions Of Future Climate Refugees

Hollande, Activists Gear Up For Climate Conference

Paris Deal Would Be Important First Step On Climate Change

Short Answers To Hard Questions About Climate Change

What You Need To Know About The Paris Climate Summit

Paris Climate Talks Avoid Scientists’ Idea Of Carbon Budget

Climate Change Pledges, Will They Fix Anything?

Holding Warming Under 2 Degrees May Already Be Too Late

Scientists Dispute 2 Degree Climate Model

Another Danger Of Climate Change: Giant Flying Boulders?

Obama’s Legacy At Stake In Paris Talks On Climate Accord

Paris Summit Already A Win For Obama, Planet Remains In Danger

Obama, Gates To Lead Major Effort On Climate Research

Bill Nye Tells You About Climate Change

BBC: 6 Graphics Explain Climate Change

Related Stories:

PA Doesn’t Have That Far To Go To Meet EPA Clean Power Climate Plan Limits

Report: PA Better Prepared For Climate-Driven Threats Than Most States

Philadelphia Releases First Climate Adaptation Report

DEP Comment Period On EPA Clean Power Plan Closed, You Can Read What Others Said

Report: Another 3,048 MW Of Wind Power Could Be Built In PA, Offshore In Erie

Hershey Expands Sustainable Sourcing Efforts With New Deforestation Commitments

Weis Markets Becomes 2nd Food Retailer To Receive Grocery Stewardship Certification

Pittsburgh Green Workplace Challenge Highest Scoring Organizations Recognized

Duquesne University’s Sustainability MBA Lands On Another Top 10 Listing

PUC Video: Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audits, Tips On Saving Energy

Op-Ed: Climate Change A National Security Threat, Tom Ridge


12/7/2015

Go To Preceding Article     Go To Next Article

Return to This PA Environment Digest's Main Page