By Vositha Wijeynayake
As the ADP 2.4 heads for closing, CANSA interviewed Dr. Jayanthunga, the chief negotiator for Sri Lanka on what issues he thinks attention need to be focussed.
“This ADP session is far from what the Parties expected it to be. I think most of us came expecting to negotiate, though we are now facing open ended consultations on what the Nationally Determined Contributions are and what elements need to be incorporated into this agreement.”
Sri Lanka is a member of the G77 and China and also the Like Minded Developing Countries. He elaborated to me the working of the G77 and the focus of the LMDC where there were interests that are common.
Speaking on the pace at which the ADP process has developed, he highlights that two years have already lapsed, and that it was time for the process to move forward and to make significant progress.
He adds that despite the pace needed, the process still remains one that needs to be party driven, as stressed by many Parties in the negotiations.
Elaborating the national stance of Sri Lanka, he adds that the 2015 Agreement should be in line with the Decisions of COP17, 18 and 19. He further adds that the Agreement needs to be built respecting the principles and provisions of the Convention. He stresses on the six elements highlighted in paragraph 5 of ADP, 1CP17.
Dr. Jayathunga further added, when questioned on his opinion on the distinction that some Parties made between contributions and obligation, that obligations should be based on NDCs. He stressed that mitigation targets need to be based on historical responsibility, and respective capabilities.
“Mitigation should not be an NDC, but an economy wide emission reduction target,” he said, while highlighting the importance of adaptation, and how it needs to be one of the key elements of the process to move forward.
Speaking on finance he expressed that the option of public and private partnerships should be explored, as the private sector would focus on profits while the public sector needs to be aligned to focus on the social element. He further elaborated the situation as being explored on actions in Sri Lanka.
“Loss and damage should be further pursued and equity should be reflected in all six elements which need to be included in the 2015 Agreement, “ concluded Dr. Jayathunga.
Note: A detailed blog post on what the Climate Change Division in Sri Lanka does on NAMAs, NAPs and CDM will be published in the coming weeks on CANSA blog.
[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.
