Poland climate talks ‘ignored vulnerable countries’

The outcome of the Poland Climate Conference (CoP-24 held in Katwise, Poland during 1-14 December) was frustrating as the interests of the most vulnerable countries (MVCs) were ignored as per the Paris Agreement. There was no specific decision or text regarding the key demands of MCVs like reducing global temperature up to 1.5 degree, financing, displacement, and loss and damage, civil society groups said at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club yesterday.

M Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of Equity BD, Qumrul Islam Chowdhury of the Federation of Environmental Journalist in Bangladesh, Md Shamsuddoha of the Centre for Participatory Research & Development and Bangladesh Krishak Federation’s Badrul Alam, among others, spoke at the press conference.

Presenting the keynote paper, Syed Aminul Hoque of EquityBD said the latest outcome of the CoP 24 negotiation was frustrating and there were hardly any particular text of the proposed Paris Rule Book on financial commitment, technology and capacity-building issues for vulnerable countries.

He also condemned the developed countries for backtracking on their commitment to provide support in these areas.

He expressed concern that the MVCs were largely left on their own to address impacts on climate change.

Shamsuddoha criticised COP-24 for failing to increase the ambition of countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions as per the findings of the IPCC’s Special Report on 1.5 degree. “The refusal of the CoP, especially by developed countries, to take the IPCC report into account will seriously undermine the implementation of the Paris Agreement. This will aggravate the suffering of MVCs,” he added.

Badrul Alam opined that the developed countries had successfully diluted their financial commitment of USD 100 billion during the pre-2020 period and even post-2025 with new financial goals. “Now, MVCs have no option but to raise their voice either for historical responsibility, polluter pay principle and demanding compensation as well,” he said.

Rezaul Karim Chowdhury alleged that UNFCCC had now turned into a “talk show without any results”. Bangladesh now needs to continue to raise its voice, he said.

Besides, a supra body like the Climate Commission in Philippines should be set up here to ensure the country’s consistency of position on the issue, continuity of the negotiators and above all, the integration of climate issue in national planning, he noted. He expressed hope that political leaders would be serious on the issue in future and political parties should announce their respective positions in their election manifestos.

 

Poland climate talks ignored vulnerable countries

The outcome of the Poland Climate Conference (CoP-24 held in Katwise, Poland during 1-14 December) was frustrating as the interests of the most vulnerable countries (MVCs) were ignored as per the Paris Agreement. There was no specific decision or text regarding the key demands of MCVs like reducing global temperature up to 1.5 degree, financing, displacement, and loss and damage, civil society groups said at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club yesterday. M Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of Equity BD, Qumrul Islam Chowdhury of the Federation of Environmental Journalist in Bangladesh, Md Shamsuddoha of the Centre for Participatory Research Development and Bangladesh Krishak Federations Badrul Alam, among others, spoke at the press conference. Presenting the keynote paper, Syed Aminul Hoque of EquityBD said the latest outcome of the CoP 24 negotiation was frustrating and there were hardly any particular text of the proposed Paris Rule Book on financial commitment, technology and capacity-building issues for vulnerable countries. He also condemned the developed countries for backtracking on their commitment to provide support in these areas. He expressed concern that the MVCs were largely left on their own to address impacts on climate change. Shamsuddoha criticised COP-24 for failing to increase the ambition of countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions as per the findings of the IPCCs Special Report on 1.5 degree. The refusal of the CoP, especially by developed countries, to take the IPCC report into account will seriously undermine the implementation of the Paris Agreement. This will aggravate the suffering of MVCs, he added. Badrul Alam opined that the developed countries had successfully diluted their financial commitment of USD 100 billion during the pre-2020 period and even post-2025 with new financial goals. Now, MVCs have no option but to raise their voice either for historical responsibility, polluter pay principle and demanding compensation as well, he said. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury alleged that UNFCCC had now turned into a talk show without any results. Bangladesh now needs to continue to raise its voice, he said. Besides, a supra body like the Climate Commission in Philippines should be set up here to ensure the countrys consistency of position on the issue, continuity of the negotiators and above all, the integration of climate issue in national planning, he noted. He expressed hope that political leaders would be serious on the issue in future and political parties should announce their respective positions in their election manifestos.