Climate Change: Road To Doha

The Durban CCC decided to complete the works of the AWG-LCA and AWG-KP in 2013 (Doha) and launch a process to develop a protocol, another legal instrument and/or an agreed outcome with legal force under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change applicable to all Parties and complete ADP works no later than 2015 and implement it by 2020.

Sept. 30, 2012, 5:45 p.m. Published in Magazine Issue: Vol. : 06 No.-08 Sept. 28-2012 (Ashoj 12, 2069)

In order to prepare for the Doha Climate Change Conference (CCC), additional informal sessions of the Ad Hoc Working Groups (AWGs) on the Long-term Cooperative Action (AWG-LCA) established in 2007, Further Commitments for Annex I Parties, under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP) established in 2005, and Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP), established in 2011, met in Bangkok from 30 August to 5 September 2012.
The Durban CCC decided to complete the works of the AWG-LCA and AWG-KP in 2013 (Doha) and launch a process to develop a protocol, another legal instrument and/or an agreed outcome with legal force under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change applicable to all Parties and complete ADP works no later than 2015 and implement it by 2020.
In Bangkok, AWG-LCA and AWG-KP focussed discussion on outstanding issues and ADP organized roundtables to collect concrete ideas on the way forward. ADP round-tables focused on two work-streams, vision and ambition, and work plan. Delegates emphasized, inter alia, to follow principles of the Convention, closure of the pre-2020 mitigation gap by understanding countries’ “3 Cs” - contexts, constraints and contributions. Some delegates focussed on incentivizing the deep cut of GHGs emissions and proposed for a ministerial roundtable in Doha on the elements of the future framework.
The developed countries want AWGs on LCA and KP to be closed by 2012 (COP18 in Doha) while developing countries have the pre-condition for their closure and want to resolve all outstanding issues under them. From the Nepalese perspectives, we need to look into what Doha delivers on adaptation, including the means of implementation such as finance, technology and capacity building, and process for incentivizing the implementation of the adaptation actions. On AWG-KP, outstanding issues on quantified emission limitation or reduction objectives (QELROs), duration of the second commitment period, carryovers, etc. have to be decided in Doha to smooth the work of the ADP as well.
The Closing Statement on AWG-LCA by the Chair of the LDC Coordination Group indicates the need to extend one year of the AWG-LCA if the balanced outcome has not been agreed upon in COP18. The LDCs urged to form two contact groups for deliberations in Doha to deepen understanding of ADP road-map, discuss a work plan for 2013 and beyond, and clarify specific approaches and complementary measures that Parties want to undertake.

Nepal will chair the LDC Coordination Group for the 2013 and 2014 period which was decided in Bonn in May 2012. Hence, it was extremely necessary to have Nepal's participation there at a high level. It is noted, with appreciation that, Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology Krishna Gyawali could arrange for a short statement in the LDC Coordination Group on 3 September which showed Nepal's strong commitment to offering its services to the LDCs in 2013 and 2014.

Gyawali informed LDCs about Nepal’s climate vulnerabilities, the formation of core negotiating team, coordination mechanism including the Climate Change Council, Climate Change Policy, climate change projects, and NAPA implementation through the LAPA framework. He urged for collective efforts to bring the LDCs in a position to influence climate negotiations in favor of LDCs.

Gyawali, appreciating the role played by the Current Chair Pa Ousman Jarju from the Gambia and hoping for his continued support, assured, inter alia, the LDCs delegates by informing that Nepal intends to continue successful practices, and build on the existing initiatives to continue to making the LDCs visible in the climate negotiation processes. He equally stressed that Nepal will best utilize the experiences of global coordination on LDCs and will continue to strengthen linkages with New York global coordination mechanism on LDCs matters and closed his statement by recalling the proverb ‘united we stand, divided we fall’.

The Secretaries or the Heads of Delegation from Bangladesh and Bhutan, including Ambassador of Marshall Island, extended their support and hoped for successful coordination and deliberation from Nepal to ensure LDC's interests and concerns in climate negotiations. Pa Ousman Jarju informed us that he is developing proposals and negotiating with key donors to transfer responsibilities and resources to the incoming chair Nepal.

Demonstrations were held in the main gate of the UNESCAP with a focus on climate justice. Some Nepali NGOs also participated in it.
In a nutshell, many delegates of LDCs who interacted with me well appreciated the participation of the Secretary, even for a short period, and expressed their confidence in Nepal for LDC coordination matters. It has really reinforced Nepal's commitment and should continue such participation in future meetings as well.

batu uprety111.jpg

Batu Uprety

Former Joint-Secretary and Chief of Climate Change Management Division, Ministry of Environment (then), and former Team Leader, National Adaptation Plan (NAP) formulation process. E-mail: upretybk@gmail.com

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