The stakes in Montreal

The COP has begun and we’re up and running! Whereas during the first few days I was the most occupied, all mental support should now go to Chris, who’s attending meetings and lobb…eeeh I mean spreading the word of the Youth Declaration as much as possible, being a youth delegate. In the meantime, I try to get organized and up-to-date on the negotiations. So what’s happening at the COP? I will try to briefly summarize some of the main issues at stake at the COP and COPMOP.

Parties to the Kyoto Protocol need to adopt the 2001 Marrakesh Accords, which contain the detailed rules for the operation of the agreement. Although it is not entirely clear from the agenda when the decision to adopt or not will be taken, the rumour in the corridors is that tomorrow it will be discussed and there might be a vote. As it’s quite essential (as a sign of political determination, and to increase legal certainty) that the Accords are in fact adopted, it seems unwise to delay decisions. Luckily, the walls also told me that the one possible resisting party, Saudi-Arabia, is fine with it.

Another main issue is reform of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). This instrument is intended to help Annex I (developed) countries to achieve their Kyoto targets by setting up sustainable projects in developing countries and contribute to their sustainable development. However, currently, there are many, many perceived problems with the CDM. For investors and project developers, the main concern is the bureaucratic process which forms a barrier to the formation and execution of CDM projects. However, the solution to this, streamlining, is likely to have consequences for the overall sustainability of the project, as streamlining will probably at the costs of stakeholder participation, impact assessments, etc.

A third important (and perhaps the most crucial issue) concerns the discussion about climate policy 2012. According to the Kyoto Protocol, discussions on a future framework should start here in Montreal. However, as a discussion of potential commitments for developing countries is extremely sensitive, chances for a decision with a mandate to start negotiating are near to zero.

This is not an exhaustive list of important points, others include adaptation and compliance. I hope to discuss these as well later during the COP. The stage is set, and the show has started. More later!

This morning I attended a presentation that drove home the issue that Harro was talking about in his post on sustained economic growth.

Right now--this instant--thousands of barrels of oil are entering a pipeline near Fort McMurray en route to Edmonton for refining before distribtion across North America. However, these barrels of oil are fundamentally different from any type of oil anywhere else in the world--they are extracted from tons and tons of earth infused with bitumen tar drawn from a unique deposit known as the Athabascan Oil Sands.

The Oil Sands deposits are being developed at a rapid pace. Sixteen years ahead of expectations, there are now 1 million barrels of oil produced from the oil sands per day. Companies are announcing huge oil sands projects and more are expected into the future.

With all of this Oil Sands Fever, the key question is whether environmental and social issues are expanding at the same pace as economic investment?

This is exactly the question raised by the Pembina Institute at their side event on oil sands development this morning. A website launched this month by the Institute, Oil Sands Watch, showcases the key environmental issues facing continued development.

What are the perils of growth? How do we balance growth against the livelihood of future generations? If our Environment Minister, Stephan Dion, plans to realise his vision of economic growth through sustainability development, these issues cannot remain unaddressed--particularly on the oil sand fields of Fort McMurray.

While the Conference of the Parties is officially starting in a few minutes, I present to you: the International Youth Declaration on climate change 2005! (watch press releases for the final version)

We, the youth of today and leaders of tomorrow, face an unprecedented challenge and share in the responsibility to address global climate change. Taking a step back from the complexities of compromise and negotiation, we cannot help but think the purpose of the Convention has been sidelined. We are frightened by the scale of this emerging global environmental crisis. We stand in solidarity with vulnerable communities who are disproportionately impacted by climate change, including low-income people, marginalized groups, indigenous peoples and people living in geographically vulnerable areas. As stewards of the Earth, we demand the right for all future generations to inherit a healthy planet. We make this declaration knowing in our hearts that Beyond Kyoto – It’s Us!

Our commitments

Youth around the world engage their communities in participatory actions, respecting humanity’s place in nature, cultural diversity, indigenous rights and traditional knowledge. We are supporting clean energy through our own consumption choices. We are moving forward to expand our involvement at the domestic and international levels and encourage broader participation on the part of our peers.

Our demands

We further the call of previous youth COP declarations for a permanent, funded youth constituency included in the international climate change negotiation process by COP 12.

In accordance with scientific insights, we need minimum binding emission reduction targets of 30% by 2020 and 80% by 2050 for “developed” countries. Agreement must be reached before 2008 and should include additional support to decarbonize “developing” countries, funded in part by penalties for non-compliance by “developed” countries.

Flexible mechanisms must supplement, not substitute, domestic emission reductions, meaning that the vast majority must be achieved at home. The additionality, monitoring and transparency of project-based flexible mechanisms cannot be compromised. The process must include a participatory role for local communities.

We ask governments for a just transition to low-impact renewable energy and insist on the removal of fossil fuel subsidies. Human rights and social justice must be included in the transition from fossil fuel dependence. Projects involving nuclear energy, large-scale hydro-electric power and waste incineration do not contribute to sustainability. Carbon sequestration is a last resort to mitigating climate change.

Adaptation options need to be addressed in parallel to mitigation. More resources are urgently needed for the most vulnerable countries with the lowest adaptive capacity, especially funding for local adaptation. Plans for both human and ecological adaptation should be incorporated in national policies.

Food and water security must be guaranteed to avoid conflict under a changing climate. Environmentally displaced peoples must be provided assistance.

We urge governments to refine their urban planning policies, promote green architecture, incorporate public transportation systems and favor non-motorized modes of transport.

Vehicle fuel efficiency standards must be enhanced. Aviation and maritime emissions must be reduced through mandatory targets.

We insist that governments incorporate an ambitious multi-disciplinary approach to sustainable development in our education systems, including a curriculum on climate change.

Our vision

We respect both past and future generations and recognize that humanity is part of the Earth’s ecosystem. Human and ecological wellbeing must supersede economic concerns if only because economies depend on ecosystems. Technology alone is not a solution; we do not want the continuation of unsustainable habits. We value community, culture and life above superficial consumption.

Communities, with their unique insight into their own situations, are the best producers of solutions for mitigation and adaptation. We support business initiatives which are striving to help us achieve our vision. Governments’ responsibility is to the people, above corporations.

Climate change solutions must guarantee the right to a healthy environment and the environment’s right to health, and ensure equity amongst present and all future generations. Education should promote sustainability within a diversity of cultures. The low-carbon economy is not a low-job economy.

We envision a world where all members of society have not only the right, but the means to influence the world around them, and where sustainability, equity, and justice are uncompromised values.

As youth, we have the right to create the world we want to live in. We are already taking steps in our own lives and communities to realize this vision and we demand that our leaders do the same.

Climate change is an opportunity to unite. The age of competition is of the past; the age of cooperation is dawning!

I have to admit that while Harro was writing the first draft of the youth declaration last night, I was out on the streets of the city, scaling Mont Royal for a beautiful night view of Montreal. While the declaration writing team sheltered themselves in hectic deliberation deep in the basement of our youth hostel, a small group of us were gazing down on the city from above in the crisp, cold evening. It was a clarifying moment--a brief respite from the frantic energy that has inspired us so far in our discussion.

This morning, the first draft of the declaration gave us a similar crisp and concise view of the overarching issues in climate change that matter to global youth. I'm excited for what will come from this, and from the sideline initiatives that are already springing up in the nooks and crannies of the Biosphere, where the Summit is taking place.

The declaration team is now behind closed dorrs, trying to pound out a second draft of the declaration. I don't envy their job, but from what was provided this morning, I have total confidence that Harro and the others will produce something we can all be proud of: something that will impact the leaders of our world and hopefully insprire them to heed the voice of world youth!

It’s past 4.30am now, and I’m definitely exhausted. I can imagine how negotiators must feel on the last day of the COP when they have to get their texts ready. In the past two days, we’ve been gathering ideas from over 100 youth from more than 30 countries, and the ideas we’ve seen are creative, challenging, controversial and most of the times completely incoherent. So the task is to put these broad ideas together and to make a first draft. Yesterday we spent a long time summarizing the ideas and trying to structure the Declaration. Today, we spent a lot of time actually writing a first draft, based on the many comments we received. So will we get a Declaration after all? I’m 100% sure of that. Will it have an impact? I’m also quite sure of that, although I cannot explain how big this will be. What I can say is that it’s an incredible learning experience. Many of the people bring in new ideas, which go way beyond the rather conservative thinking of some delegates. Tomorrow it will be final. Watch this space!