Brussels, 13/10/2015 (Agence Europe) - In the view of those who attended, the international high-level forum of Rabat on the intended nationally determined contributions (INDC) to the future global climate agreement to be concluded in Paris at COP 21 (from 30 November to 11 December) closed on Tuesday 13 October on a positive note (see EUROPE 11405).
The forum, which was organised by the Moroccan government, the European Commission, UNEP and the UNDP to facilitate dialogue on the level of the aggregate offers and their suitability to achieve the global objective of keeping average global warming below the level of 2°C by 2100, saw an unprecedented mobilisation and better understanding between all parties. At the close of the forum, and a few days ahead of the final official negotiating session before Paris (Bonn, next week), European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Canete was in confident mood. As the long-term objective and legal form of the Paris agreement are still open questions, he expressed his hopes that the six weeks left until Paris will be used to conclude an “agreement to guarantee a safer, more sustainable future”.
“We had a quality exchange, open and constructive discussions; we must continue in this mindset. 150 countries representing 90% of global emissions have submitted their INDCs. This is great news, as it goes far beyond the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, which engaged 35 countries representing just 13% of emissions. This is a major shift from action by a few to action by all. Without Paris on the horizon, many countries would not have prepared their INDC. We are 2° closer. But will it be enough?”, the commissioner said to the press.
In Rabat, the experts confirmed that it will take more efforts to be on the right track. “As things stand, we are getting close to 3°. More action is needed. But without the INDC, there would have been a risk that the increase in temperatures would be 3.8 - 4.7 degrees, according to the IPCC, which is why the implementation of the INDCs will be essential”, said the commissioner, stressing the need for a long-term objective to cut emissions by 50% in 2050 compared to 1990, a revision every five years to step up the commitments, robust transparency and accountancy rules, “or the agreement will lack credibility”, he warned. He said that the benefits of these INDCs are manifold. For instance, they will allow the energy and transport ministers to anticipate. “The countries have done serious work, approved at the highest level. It is a unique effort never seen before”, said the commissioner, but stressed that a balanced and comprehensive agreement in Paris must go beyond the INDCs. Adaptation and climate finance will be of decisive importance. All parties agreed on this, encouraged by the OECD report showing that $62 billion had already been mobilised by the end of 2014. “The world is on track to deliver” the $100 billion a year pledged to the developing countries between now and 2020. And the EU, which disbursed 9.5 billion for 2013 alone, is prepared to take on its fair share. France, Germany and the United Kingdom have undertaken to double their contributions. The 2014 figures will be available in mid-November, the commissioner said.
Hahika El Haite, the Moroccan environment minister, called for the world to make good use of this mobilisation, unparalleled in 21 years of climate negotiations, to conclude an agreement in Paris which puts the future of humanity at its core. “When we wanted to ratify Kyoto, we waited eight years and only 35 countries ratified it. Today, 150 countries have submitted their proposals, their commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We are at a crossroads. We speak of dignity, of people, humanity, of putting people and the preservation of life at the centre of our debates”, she said. She stressed the importance of the question of losses and damage to the developing countries, particularly the small island states, “such as the Maldives, which could be under water by 2050”, she added. “We want a binding and universal agreement. We want everybody to commit to respect their contributions, their commitments. The misunderstanding of the notion of losses and damage means that there are still talks to be held. We can only talk about losses and damage when we can no longer adapt, when we have exhausted the adaptation possibilities”. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)