Turn focus to “ambitious” and “fair” part of a global agreement

By Kelly Rigg, Executive Director, Global Campaign for Climate Action

In this video, Executive Director of the Global Campaign for Climate Action Kelly Rigg emphasizes that it is necessary to break out of familiar patterns and rhythms, and break away from business-as-usual, to take the Durban outcomes forward, towards a fair, ambitious and binding agreement in 2015.   More...

Harnessing collective intelligence to address climate change: MIT’s Climate CoLab

By Thomas W. Malone, Sloan School of Management and MIT Center for Collective Intelligence, and Robert Laubacher, MIT Center for Collective Intelligence

Climate change is a problem of vast scope and complexity. The past decade, however, has seen the emergence of new forms of Internet-enabled collaboration in which large numbers of people, from all around the world, can work together to tackle big problems. Notable examples include Wikipedia and open source software. Inspired by these systems, the Climate CoLab, a project of the MIT Center for Collective Intelligence, applies this approach to develop proposals for what to do about climate change.   More...

Science and the climate change process

Good, long-term policy is impossible to arrive at without careful dialogue with the scientific community. A dialogue between science and policy is crucial for mutual understanding of the many challenges associated with finding the best solutions to ensure transformation towards a more sustainable development path globally. Addressing climate change is at the centre of this transformation.   More...

Mitigation workshops continue at May session

Three workshops on mitigation are expected to continue to serve as fora for presenting and discussing information on mitigation actions under the Convention of both developing and developed country Parties in the individual work streams.   More...

Issues relating to agriculture addressed under the SBSTA

In Durban, the Conference of the Parties, by its decision 2/CP.17, requested the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) to consider issues related to agriculture at its upcoming thirty-sixth session, with the aim of exchanging views and the COP adopting a decision on agriculture at its eighteenth session.   More...

Prototype registry to be unveiled by UNFCCC secretariat at SBI 36

The prototype of the registry for nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMAs) will be presented by the UNFCCC secretariat to Parties at the 36th session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI 36), for their comments and views.   More...

Carbon capture and storage focus of CDM discussions in May session

Outstanding issues surrounding the recently agreed carbon capture and storage (CCS) methodology will be the focus of discussions by Parties during the May session.   More...

More details on new market mechanism’s shape and operation likely to emerge at May session

The next steps to elaborate the new market mechanism are underway. At last count, the Secretariat has received 31 submissions on the new mechanism. Further clarity on the shape and operation of the mechanism, as well as a more general framework for approaches, is likely to be provided at the May negotiating session.   More...

Review of the CGE to continue in May sessions of the SBs with view to adopting key decisions by COP18

At SBI36, Parties will continue the review of the Consultative Group of Experts on National Communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention (CGE), whose mandate expires at the end of 2012, with a view to adopt a decision by COP 18. Parties initiated this review in Durban. It covers the term, mandate, and the need for the continuation of this group.   More...

Least Developed Countries Expert Group gives impetus for further progress on LDC work programme and national adaptation plan process

The Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) conducted its 21st meeting, in Thimphu, Bhutan, from 9 to 13 March 2012. Outcomes of this meeting provide impetus for further progress on the least developed countries work programme and national adaptation plan process.   More...

Discussions during May session to build on recent progress for national adaptation plans

Since the establishment of a process on national adaptation plans (NAPs), much progress has been made. During the recent Least Developed Countries Expert Group meeting in Thimphu, Bhutan, work on the technical guidelines for the NAP process was initiated.   More...

Inaugural meeting of the Adaptation Committee to initiate work on three-year work plan

The first meeting of the Adaptation Committee is planned to take place in June 2012. During its first meeting, the Committee will initiate work on elaborating a three-year work plan, including defining milestones, activities, deliverables and resource requirements, in accordance with its agreed functions, for approval by COP 18.   More...

Expert meetings further progress the work programme on loss and damage

An expert meeting on assessing the risk of loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change was recently held in Tokyo, Japan. Building on progress made at this meeting, Parties will further discuss recent progress during SBI 36.   More...

Planning underway on activities for the Nairobi work programme, as mandated in Durban

Planning is underway on activities mandated at the Durban conference under the Nairobi work programme, including a technical workshop on water and climate change impacts and adaptation strategies.   More...

Discussions during SBSTA 36 to further progress on research and systematic observation

During SBSTA 36, discussions on research and systematic observation are expected to continue on matters deferred from previous sessions. The annual SBSTA research dialogue will also take place, providing a platform for Parties to consider updated information from science provided by international and regional research programmes and organizations and by the IPCC.   More...

Subsidiary Body for Implementation to commence work on finance related Issues

The Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) will work on a number of finance related issues during its May session in Bonn. This will include work on the initial review of the Adaptation Fund as well as on guidance to the Global Environment Facility in relation to support for the implementation of the elements of the least developed countries work programme other than the national adaptation programmes of action.   More...

Six countries offer to host the Green Climate Fund

Six countries have submitted expressions of interest to host the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The Interim Secretariat of GCF has received submissions on behalf of the Fund's Board from Germany, Mexico, Namibia, Poland, South Korea and Switzerland. These expressions of interest can be found on the Green Climate Fund website.   More...

Implementation of the work plan of the Technology Executive Committee

The implementation of the work plan of the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) will be the focus of the third meeting of the TEC, scheduled for 28-29 May. The work plan includes activities related to technology needs, technology roadmaps, the development of a technology information platform and the organization of thematic dialogues.   More...

Evaluation report on the host of the Climate Technology Center issued

The evaluation panel for selection of the host of the Climate Technology Center (CTC) conducted an assessment of the proposals for hosting the CTC based on the criteria contained in decision 2/CP.17, annex VIII, and the evaluation report with a shortlist of proponents was made available for consideration by the Subsidiary Body for Implementation at its 36th session (SBI 36).   More...

Inaugural meeting of the Durban Forum to be held in May

The Durban Forum on Capacity-building, one of the major outcomes of COP17, will hold its inaugural meeting at the upcoming UN climate conference in May. The landmark meeting signals a shift to a more holistic way of tackling capacity building.   More...

Capacity-building in countries with economies in transition

A review of capacity-building in countries with economies in transition will be conducted in May in order to identify key factors that could increase the ability of those countries to respond to climate change.   More...

The future of education, training and public awareness

Improving awareness and understanding of climate change is key to winning public support for climate-related policies. Article 6 is a critical part of the Convention because it attempts to address the root cause of climate change through education and awareness, rather than treat its symptoms. A new work programme on Article 6 will be negotiated at the UN climate conference in May.   More...

History in the making: The inaugural session of the ADP

In Durban, Parties established the Ad hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP) to craft the post-2020 climate change regime and to ensure the highest possible mitigation efforts by all Parties. The ADP will meet for the first time during the May session to plan its work and to begin discussing actions that will ensure that global temperature increase stays below 2 degrees Celsius.   More...

AWG-KP to work towards operationalizing the second commitment period

In Durban, Parties agreed that the second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol will begin on 1 January 2013. During the May session, Parties will therefore work towards finalizing arrangements to operationalize the second commitment period. The AWG-KP will aim to complete its work by CMP8.   More...

AWG-LCA embarks on its final year - all remaining work to be completed by Doha 2012

In Durban, Parties significantly advanced on different aspects of mitigation and of the Cancun Adaption Framework, as well as the necessary implementation infrastructure for finance, technology and capacity-building support. As part of the overall Durban Package, Parties agreed that the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA) shall conclude its five years of comprehensive work at COP18 in Doha and identified a number of specific tasks for the LCA’s final year. The work at the upcoming session May 2012 will start off with a variety of workshops.   More...

Climate science and the state of our climate

The World Meteorological Organization’s annual statement on the status of the global climate in 2011 provides insight into climatic extremes throughout the world. Further research reveals new insights into sea level rise, the distribution of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and changes in arctic sea ice extent.   More...

"The outcomes from Durban will make a significant contribution towards a more sustainable future if – and only if – all pledges, aspirations and plans are fully implemented."

London, United Kingdom, 9 March 2012

On occasion of delivering this year's Barbara Ward lecture organised by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), Christiana Figueres called on governments, business & civil society to power climate change solutions and moves toward sustainability through real action on the ground.   More...