By Vositha Wijeynayake
The UNFCCC intersession held in Bonn, of the Ad hoc Working Group on Durban Platform (ADP) came to a close the evening of 14 March 2014. A few things that were highlighted during the final plenary could be summed up as the start of Formal talks on UN Climate change deal to be in June and Parties highlighted once again the need for expediting the work, the inclusivity of all Parties as well as the respecting of differentiation.
Duty to Deliver a Document
Bolivia speaking on behalf of the G77 and China stated “We should not lose sight of the accelerating process… we have a duty to deliver a document that this process is committed to delivering agreements that will protect the earth.”
The negotiator highlighted that a stricter negotiating structures are needed to ensure the draft text will be ready for adoption in Paris. “Outcomes must be guided by the UNFCCC and be conducted in a manner than gives us confidence,” he said.
Australia, for the ‘Umbrella Group‘ said that there needs to be more focus in June on the upfront information countries need to provide and wanted to think about elements for text (based on views from parties) rather than a wider look at the whole text in one go.
The Group highlighted the need for guidance on the outright information, NDB on the time line agreed in Warsaw, Contact Group to consider the existing agenda, and to be facilitated by the Co-Chairs and to have more focus on elements that exist in the text
Focus Needed on Finance
The European Union highlighted the need to focus on financial flow which is vital an also emphasised that EU will continue to deliver climate finance.
“All parties must act to hit 2C target, and all parties must respond to ‘evolving responsibilities,” said the negotiator for the EU.
The Group further added that the Parties need to act in accordance with national capabilities, highlighted the need for MRV and there is need for political will.
Gender is Key to Equity
Mexico on behalf of the Environmental Integrity Group said countries leave Bonn with a better understanding of visions, confident the process which is moving forward. The country believes 2015 agreement should not exacerbate social inequalities. The intervention also pointed out the need to highlight gender, and how equity cannot be achieved without resolving gender gaps.
“We should address current disparities. Our work needs to take into consideration gender in the negotiations, take into account the differences of men and women in formulating climate actions. Gender based equity needs to be part of the 2015 Agreement,” he added. He thanked also the civil society for the good work that they were doing within the process.
Need to Reassess Mode of Work
Sudan for the Africa Group said that there is an “effective platform” for pre-2020 ambition but warned that UN needs to reassess the mode of work. It further added that developed countries need to raise emission cuts to 40% by 2020 on 1990 levels environmental degradation.
Speaking on the draft text, the Group emphasised that there needs to be a draft text by Lima.
Solutions within Reach
The AOSIS said Solutions are “within reach”, and called for clarity and transparency in the mitigation commitments by June. The Group stressed the need for more work on loss and damage.
Nepal on behalf of the Least Developed Countries called for urgent actions, and added that key elements of Warsaw should be basis for action. It further added that NDC should guide us in the 2015 Agreement and stressed that the 2015 Agreement needs to address adequate means of implementation.
“Success in this process needs ‘leadership’ from all parties,” said the Chair of the LDCs.
We Need Trust
Venezuela on behalf of Like Minded Group pointed that mutual trust is important if we are to successes in progressing. The Group called for only “formal and structured negotiation” which would be the only means to advance the ADP discussions. The negotiator also stressed the need for all parties to be involved.
India on behalf of the BASIC group aid that nothing has been achieved in Bonn, and that it has been a repetition of views from last two years. It added that the process needs ‘clearly structure formal groups’ for talks and a clear plan and potential of technical expert meetings on ‘high mitigation areas’.
“Contributions of ‘developing’ countries should be in the context of ‘sustainable development’ and will be on condition of richer nations meeting finance/tech commitments,” said the negotiator.
The ADP 2.4 session drew to a close with these interventions with the hope for more progress and moving ahead in June 2014.
[Photo credits: IISD]
Vositha Wijenayake is the Outreach and Advocacy Coordinator of CANSA and, Regional Facilitator for Asia for the Southern Voices Programme. She is a lawyer by profession and has an LLM from University College London. She specialises in International Environmental Law and Human Rights Law. She has been tracking the UNFCCC negotiations since 2009 with a legal and gender focus.
