Report to the Future Melbourne Committee Agenda item 7.1 Proposed travel by Councillor Oke, United Nations Climate Change Conference COP21/CMP11, Paris, December 2015 6 October 2015 Presenter: Councillor Cathy Oke Purpose and background 1. The purpose of this report is to seek Future Melbourne Committee approval to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP21/CMP11 between 30 November and 11 December 2015 in Paris, France. 2. I propose to attend in my capacity as Council’s representative on ICLEI - International Council for Local Government Initiatives (ICLEI) and act as a Local Government Ambassador, assisting in the negotiations and dialogues with the Parties at COP21. Key issues 3. The international political response to climate change began at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, where the ‘Rio Convention’ included the adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This Convention set out a framework for action aimed at stabilising atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases. The UNFCCC, which came into force on 21 March 1994, now has a near-universal membership of 195 parties. 4. The main objective of the annual Conference of Parties (COP) is to review the Convention’s implementation. The first COP took place in Berlin in 1995 and significant meetings since then have included COP3 where the Kyoto Protocol was adopted, COP11 where the Montreal Action Plan was produced, COP15 in Copenhagen and COP17 in Durban where the Green Climate Fund was created. 5. In 2015 COP21 will, for the first time in over 20 years of UN negotiations, aim to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2°C. 6. COP21 is expected to attract close to 50,000 participants including 25,000 official delegates from government, intergovernmental organisations, United Nations agencies, Non-Government Organisations and civil society. 7. The Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Constituency consists of networks of local and subnational governments that are accredited to the UN Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat as observers. ICLEI is the focal point of LGMA. The Local Government Climate Roadmap was started in 2007 at COP13 in Bali to advocate for recognition, engagement, and empowerment of local and subnational governments in the global climate regime, as a broader global collaboration that is beyond the UNFCCC accreditation. The LGMA Constituency, the Local Government Climate Roadmap and the Compacts are the main advocacy channels for inputs of local and subnational governments in global climate negotiations. 8. In my capacity as Council’s representative on ICLEI, I attended COP15 in 2009 and COP16 in 2010 where I acted as a Local Government Ambassador, assisting with advocacy activities. I propose to take a similarly active role in the negotiations and dialogues with the Parties at COP21. Included as Attachment 2 is an outline of ICLEI’s advocacy work by local government in the lead up to and during COP21. 9. I am currently Chair of the ICLEI Regional Executive Committee (RexCom), ICLEI Oceania representative on the Global Executive Committee (GexCoM) and President of the Board of ICLEI World Secretariat. Meetings of the ICLEI Council will take place during the conference and my attendance is required. Included as Attachment 3 is a list of events in which I will participate. 10. The cost to Council associated with my participation is estimated at $8000. This includes airfares, accommodation for 13 nights and incidental costs. Page 1 of 7
Transcript
Report to the Future Melbourne Committee Agenda item 7.1 Proposed travel by Councillor Oke, United Nations Climate Change Conference COP21/CMP11, Paris, December 2015
6 October 2015
Presenter: Councillor Cathy Oke
Purpose and background
1. The purpose of this report is to seek Future Melbourne Committee approval to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP21/CMP11 between 30 November and 11 December 2015 in Paris, France.
2. I propose to attend in my capacity as Council’s representative on ICLEI - International Council for Local Government Initiatives (ICLEI) and act as a Local Government Ambassador, assisting in the negotiations and dialogues with the Parties at COP21.
Key issues
3. The international political response to climate change began at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, where the ‘Rio Convention’ included the adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This Convention set out a framework for action aimed at stabilising atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases. The UNFCCC, which came into force on 21 March 1994, now has a near-universal membership of 195 parties.
4. The main objective of the annual Conference of Parties (COP) is to review the Convention’s implementation. The first COP took place in Berlin in 1995 and significant meetings since then have included COP3 where the Kyoto Protocol was adopted, COP11 where the Montreal Action Plan was produced, COP15 in Copenhagen and COP17 in Durban where the Green Climate Fund was created.
5. In 2015 COP21 will, for the first time in over 20 years of UN negotiations, aim to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2°C.
6. COP21 is expected to attract close to 50,000 participants including 25,000 official delegates from government, intergovernmental organisations, United Nations agencies, Non-Government Organisations and civil society.
7. The Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Constituency consists of networks of local and subnational governments that are accredited to the UN Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat as observers. ICLEI is the focal point of LGMA. The Local Government Climate Roadmap was started in 2007 at COP13 in Bali to advocate for recognition, engagement, and empowerment of local and subnational governments in the global climate regime, as a broader global collaboration that is beyond the UNFCCC accreditation. The LGMA Constituency, the Local Government Climate Roadmap and the Compacts are the main advocacy channels for inputs of local and subnational governments in global climate negotiations.
8. In my capacity as Council’s representative on ICLEI, I attended COP15 in 2009 and COP16 in 2010 where I acted as a Local Government Ambassador, assisting with advocacy activities. I propose to take a similarly active role in the negotiations and dialogues with the Parties at COP21. Included as Attachment 2 is an outline of ICLEI’s advocacy work by local government in the lead up to and during COP21.
9. I am currently Chair of the ICLEI Regional Executive Committee (RexCom), ICLEI Oceania representative on the Global Executive Committee (GexCoM) and President of the Board of ICLEI World Secretariat. Meetings of the ICLEI Council will take place during the conference and my attendance is required. Included as Attachment 3 is a list of events in which I will participate.
10. The cost to Council associated with my participation is estimated at $8000. This includes airfares, accommodation for 13 nights and incidental costs.
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Attachments: 1. Supporting Attachment 2. Outline of ICLEI’s advocacy work by local government in the lead up to and during COP21 3. List of ICLEI events to be attended by Councillor Oke
Recommendation
11. That the Future Melbourne Committee:
11.1. approves Councillor Oke’s attendance at the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP21/CMP11 in her capacity as Council’s representative on ICLEI between 30 November and 11 December 2015.
11.2. approves an amount of up to $8000 to cover airfares, accommodation and incidental costs.
11.3. notes that Councillor Oke will prepare a report to the Future Melbourne Committee or Council within 60 days of return from travel.
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Supporting Attachment
Finance
1. The cost to Council associated with participation by Councillor Oke is estimated at $8000 and will be met from the existing budget allocation. This includes airfare ($4333) accommodation for 13 nights ($2667) and incidental costs ($1000).
Conflict of interest
2. No member of Council staff, or other person engaged under a contract, involved in advising on or preparing this report has declared a direct or indirect interest in relation to the matter of the report.
Relation to Council policy
3. The Manager Governance and Legal has confirmed that the travel proposal accords with the requirements of the travel guidelines outlined in the Councillor Expenses and Resources Guidelines.
4. Participation at the Conference supports Council advancing the delivery of Eco-City, Knowledge, Connected and Prosperous City goals.
5. The City of Melbourne will use momentum created by COP21 to leverage promotion of and participation in City of Melbourne’s sustainability programs, strategies and projects through:
5.1. Engagement with local stakeholders and the broader community about Melbourne’s leadership position and associated sustainability programs and initiatives.
5.2. Amplification of Melbourne’s leadership on climate change through local and international media.
Environmental sustainability
6. Participation will enable me to promote Council’s sustainability objectives and further enhance Melbourne’s reputation as a leading sustainable city.
7. The carbon emissions impact of flights will be reduced through the purchase of carbon offsets.
Attachment 1Agenda item 7.1
Future Melbourne Committee 6 October 2015
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Compiled by LOCAL GOVERNMENT CLIMATE ROADMAP PARIS DIALOGUES
at UNFCCC COP21/CMP11 30 November – 11 December 2015, Paris, France
Within the scope of
Overview (as of 09 August 2015) Local Government Climate Roadmap – Paris Dialogues is a compilation of events related to local and subnational governments at UN Paris Climate Conference (COP21/CMP11) on 30 November – 11 December 2015, in Paris, France, building on the experiences in Warsaw (COP19/CMP9, 2013), Lima (COP20/CMP10, 2014) and Bonn (2014 and 2015). The Paris Dialogues include;
1. Climate Summit for Local Leaders, on 4 December 2015, at the Paris City Hall, convened by Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris & Michal Bloomberg, UN Special Envoy for Cities & Climate Change.
2. Cities and Regions Pavilion – TAP2015, at Climate Generations Space at Le Bourget, co-hosted by City of Paris, City of Bristol and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability as the advocacy base of Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Constituency and Local Government Climate Roadmap throughout COP21/CMP11, within the scope of Transformative Actions Program (TAP) and building on the success of the Local Government Climate Lounge at COP15/CMP5 in Copenhagen in 2009. Other events in Le Bourget will be updated further.
3. Other LGMA Events, organized by members of LGMA independent from the UNFCCC Agenda 4. UNFCCC Blue Zone Activities, including LGMA engagement at the official sessions and
Thematic Days, exhibits/side events under the UNFCCC programme or at the Pavilions. 5. Other Events, convened by partners in the city of Paris.
Participation to all events is subject to special conditions. Official UNFCCC Accreditation is needed for only UNFCCC Blue Zone Activities. Representatives of local and subnational governments may seek UNFCCC accreditation via members of the LGMA Constituency, other UNFCCC accredited observer organizations or via their national governments.
Background on UNFCCC Advocacy of local and subnational governments The Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Constituency consists of networks of local and subnational governments that are accredited to the UN Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat as observers.
The Local Government Climate Roadmap was started in 2007 at COP13 in Bali to advocate for recognition, engagement, and empowerment of local and subnational governments in the global climate regime, as a broader global collaboration that is beyond the UNFCCC accreditation.
The Compact of Mayors and the Compact of States and Regions are the two leading global initiatives announced at the UN Climate Summit 2014 in New York, US, together with the carbonn Climate Registry and CDP as their reporting platforms, and connected to NAZCA Platform.
The LGMA Constituency, the Local Government Climate Roadmap and the Compacts are the main advocacy channels for inputs of local and subnational governments in global climate negotiations.
The compilation of Local Government Climate Roadmap – Paris Dialogues is carried out by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability in its capacity as the focal point of Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Constituency and facilitator of the Local Government Climate Roadmap.
Compiled by LOCAL GOVERNMENT CLIMATE ROADMAP PARIS DIALOGUES
at UNFCCC COP21/CMP11 30 November – 11 December 2015, Paris, France
Within the scope of
Highlights (as of 09 August 2015) High Level Segment of Paris Dialogues, 3-8 December 2015 (all entries subject to revisions and additions, Daily Program at the Cities and Regions Pavilion -TAP2015 at the Climate Generations Space at Le Bourget will be announced separately.)
3 December, Thursday ICLEI-Nord Pas-de-Calais: Train Trip to Witness Transformative Actions in Practice (by invitation only) C40 Steering Committee (closed) C40-Siemens Climate Leadership Awards (by invitation only)
4 December, Friday UCLG Council Meeting (closed) C40 Event (by invitation only) ICLEI-UCCRN Launch of Assessment Report for Cities and Climate Change (ACR3-2) (by invitation only) ICLEI-UNEP-KEITI Global Lead Cities Network on Sustainable Public Procurement Annual Summit 2015 (by invitation only) Climate Summit for Local Leaders at Paris City Hall, hosted by Anne Hidalgo Mayor of Paris and Michael Bloomberg, UN Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change (by invitation only)
5 December, Saturday UN High Level Meeting on Climate Action “Actions Day” (organized by partners of the Lima-Paris Action Agenda, access limited to UNFCCC limited to UNFCCC accredited participants) UCLG Council Meeting (closed) ICLEI Council and Global Executive Committee Meeting (closed)
6 December, Sunday ICLEI Council and Global Executive Committee Meeting (closed) UCLG Council Meeting (closed)
7 and/or 8 December, Monday-Tuesday UNFCCC Cities and Regions Day (s) (tbc, (access limited to UNFCCC accredited participants)
UNFCCC Blue Zone Activities at COP21/CMP11 (limited to UNFCCC accreditation) Official LGMA Engagements: During the technical sessions, opening and closing plenaries and High Level Segments of ADP2.12, COP21/CMP11 or SB45, (pending to final confirmations by the UNFCCC Secretariat) as well as at the UNFCCC Thematic Days (e.g. Cities and Regions Day(s), Transport Day, Buildings Day, Water Day, Resilience Day where all agendas and engagement of members of LGMA subject to final confirmation by UNFCCC Secretariat and Incoming COP21/CMP11 Presidency)
LGMA UNFCCC Side events: Applications submitted by ICLEI, UCLG, C40, nrg4sd, Climate Alliance (pending to final approval by the UNFCCC Secretariat)
Other LGMA Side Events: At the US Center, EU Pavilion, China Pavilion etc,
Other Events in the City of Paris at COP21/CMP11 Sustainable Innovation Forum (7-8 Dec), Transport Day (6 Dec), World Climate Summit (complete list, agendas and engagement of LGMA to be confirmed further, access by invitation only)
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT CLIMATE ROADMAP PARIS DIALOGUES
at UNFCCC COP21/CMP11 30 November – 11 December 2015, Paris, France
Within the scope of Compiled by
PROPOSALS OF LOCAL AND SUBNATIONAL GOVERNMENTS1 3-PILLARS AND 10- ACTIONS TOWARDS PARIS20152
I. Advance global negotiations – An inclusive and ambitious Paris2015 Outcome We urge national governments to mandate their UNFCCC Negotiators to;
1. Include of the below paragraph in the negotiation text3 : “Recalling para.7 of Dec.1/CP16 adopted at COP16 in Cancun in 2010 that recognizes local and subnational governments as „governmental stakeholders”, and Further recalling para.5b of Dec.1/CP19 adopted at COP19 in Warsaw in 2013 that recognizes role of cities and subnational authorities in raising pre2020 ambition, Parties to the UNFCCC should, as appropriate, seek to engage their local and subnational governments, as appropriate, to achieve the objectives of the Convention and the implementation of the Paris2015 Outcomes, by developing policy tools, guidelines and programmes, providing technical, financial, institutional assistance and/or guidance, as appropriate, to support their national contributions, plans, commitments and actions, in line with other relevant governance arrangements established by their national Governments”
2. Adopt a 10-Year Work Programme for local and subnational governments, as an outcome of Technical Examination Process and Meetings (TEP/TEM) on Urban Environment,4 that will set a framework within UNFCCC.
3. Strengthen dialogue and collaboration with national governments through the Friends of Cities. 4. Ensure synergies with other Post2015 development agenda negotiations, in particular on the Sustainable Development Goals,
Financing for Development, Disaster Risk Reduction and HABITATIII Conference.
II. Enhance vertical integration – Effective multilevel governance We urge national governments to mandate their agencies responsible for climate policies to;
5. Engage local and regional governments in the preparation and implementation of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs), Low Emission Development Strategies (LEDS) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), amongst others.
6. Upon submission of INDCs, continue to explore innovative formulations to raise and complement pre-2020 ambitions at the national and global level, through ambitious voluntary commitments of local and regional governments.
III. Accelerate local and subnational climate action – Strengthened partnerships We invite local and regional governments, together with their networks and their partners;
7. Expressing their intent and ensure compliance with Compact of Mayors and Compact of States and Regions. 8. Actively engage in the Lima-Paris-Action-Agenda (LPAA). 9. Increase the number of entries and diversify the information visible at the Non-State Actors Zone for Climate Action Platform
(NAZCA), through the carbonn Climate Registry, and others as appropriate. 10. Actively contribute in the Transformative Actions Program (TAP) and Transformative Actions Pavilion at COP21/CMP11.
1 These proposals, as of June 2015, are presented by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) in its capacity as the focal point of the Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Constituency to the UNFCCC and facilitator of the Local Government Climate Roadmap, with a view for further collaboration within the Constituency and the Roadmap as well as with the UNFCCC negotiators and partners at all levels. 2 “Lima united countries for climate action, Paris must bring all actors on board. Without the full engagement of all actors, there is a high risk of failure, considering the existing huge gap between the current national mitigation pledges and the recommendations proposed by science.” ICLEI Post-Lima Press Release, 17 December 2014. Overview of the Lima Outcomes for local and subnational governments (ppt). 3 A version of this text was contained in para 37a and 37b of a draft negotiation text of ADP Co-Chairs ahead of COP20/CMP10. Similar text was adopted by national governments in para19(f) of the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 as a result of the 3rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) held in March 2015: “While the enabling, guiding and coordinating role of national and federal State Governments remain essential, it is necessary to empower local authorities and local communities to reduce disaster risk, including through resources, incentives and decision, making responsibilities, as appropriate; “ 4 This Action Plan will primarily aim to implement policy options presented at the ADP 2014 Technical Paper para.156-164, by strengthening the good practices and removing the barriers as summarized in the Technical Paper Addendum. A 10-Year “Plan of Action on Subnational Governments, Cities and Local Authorities for Biodiversity “ was already adopted by the national governments at the 10th Conference of Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity as Dec.X/22 in Nagoya in 2010 and contained in para. 10 of the 2013 Nantes Declaration of Mayors and Subnational Leaders on Climate Change, adopted in September 2013.
ov
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT CLIMATE ROADMAP PARIS DIALOGUES
at UNFCCC COP21/CMP11 30 November – 11 December 2015, Paris, France
Within the scope of Compiled by
CALENDAR OF KEY EVENTS
RELATED TO LOCAL AND SUBNATIONAL GOVERNMENTS in 2015 TOWARDS COP21/CMP11 (subject to updates and revision)
1. 31 August – 4 September, UNFCCC ADP2.10, Bonn, Germany
2. 9-10 September, CB27 Summit, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
3. 15-16 September, US-China Cities Climate Summit, Los Angeles, USA
