sustainable development goals and climate change
TRANSCRIPT
Sustainable Development Goals
and the Climate Change
Agreement
Felix Dodds
Felix Dodds• Felix Dodds is a Senior Fellow at the Global Research Institute and a Senior Affiliate of the Water
Institue at the University of North Carolina and an Associate Fellow at the Tellus Institute.
• He was the co-director of the 2014 Nexus Conference on Water, Food, Energy and Climate.
• Felix was the Executive Director of Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future from 1992-2012.
• He has been active at the UN since 1990 attending and actively participating in the World Summits, Conferences and has advised the Danish and UK Governments and the European Union
• In 2011 he chaired the United Nations DPI 64th NGO conference - 'Sustainable Societies Responsive Citizens'.
• From 1997-2001 he co-chaired the UN Commission on Sustainable Development NGO Steering Committee.
• He has coordinated some of the most innovative stakeholder dialogues at the intergovernmental level Bonn Water (2001), Bonn Energy (2004) and Bonn Nexus (2011).
• He has written or edited thirteen books the latest is due out in May 2016 The Water, Food and Climate Nexus: Challenges and an agenda for Action which he edited with Jamie Bartram.
• His next one out in September is Negotiating the Sustainable Development Goals: A transformational agenda for an insecure world with Ambassador David Donoghue and Jimena Leiva Roesch
March 2016 Felix Dodds www.felixdodds.net2
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The beginning of our journey• 1969 Moon Landing• 1969 Rockefeller Commission on
Population• 1969 UN Population Fund created• 1970 First Earth Day• 1970 Friends of the Earth and
Greenpeace • 1970 EPA created• 1972 First UN Conference on Human
Environment• 1972 UNEP created• 1973 European Commission
Directorate on Environment createdJuly 22, 2012
An example: We are all connected
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• 1984 British Antarctic Survey –finds a recurring hole in the ozone layer
• 1985 UN Convention on Ozone Depleting Chemicals
• 1987 UN Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
• 1989 Entered into force• By 2050-2070 ozone hole will
return to 1980 levels.
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The Roadmap to the SDGs and the Paris Climate Agreement
March 2016
• Earth Summit 1992• Millennium Development Goals
2000• World Summit on Sustainable
Development 2002• Financial Crisis 2008• Copenhagen Climate Summit
and Rio+20 2009• Rio+20 2012• Sustainable Development Goals
and the Paris Climate Agreement 2015
• Challenges for the UK
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Rio Earth Summit 1992
March 2016
1992 Earth Summit agreed:• Agenda 21 – 40 chapters – a
blueprint for the 21st century• United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change
• United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity
• The Forestry PrinciplesAndAn increased role for ‘stakeholders’ in policy development and implementation
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Overseas Development Assistance: 1990s the Lost Decade
March 2016
“THE price of correcting the world's environmental problems is about $625 billion ( pounds 350 billion) a year, Maurice Strong, secretary of the UN Conference on Environment and Development ( Earth Summit ), said yesterday in London. Of this, $125 billion needs to be transferred from rich to poor countries, or an increase of $70 billion a year in aid programmes.” Guardian 14th February 1992
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% of Overseas Development Assistance given by country (Gross National Income)
1. United Arab Emirates – 1.25%
2. Norway – 1.07%3. Sweden – 1.02%4. Luxembourg – 1.00%5. Denmark – 0.85%6. United Kingdom – 0.72%7. Netherlands – 0.67%8. Finland – 0.55%9. Switzerland – 0.47%10. Belgium – 0.45%11. Ireland – 0.45%
12. Turkey – 0.42% 13. France – 0.41% 14. Germany – 0.38%15. Australia – 0.34%16. Austria – 0.28%17. Canada – 0.27%18. New Zealand – 0.26%19. Iceland – 0.26%20. Japan – 0.23%21. Portugal – 0.23%22. United States –
0.19%
July 22, 2012
Byrd-Hagel Resolution July 1997 (95 votes for 0 against)(1) the US should not be a signatory to any protocol to, or other agreement regarding, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change of 1992, at negotiations in Kyoto in December 1997, or thereafter, which would:(a) mandate new commitments to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the Annex I Parties, unless the protocol or other agreement also mandates new specific scheduled commitments to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions for Developing Country Parties within the same compliance period, or(b) would result in serious harm to the economy of the United States; and(2) any such protocol or other agreement which would require the advice and consent of the Senate to ratification should be accompanied by a detailed explanation of any legislation or regulatory actions that may be required to implement the protocol or other agreement and should also be accompanied by an analysis of the detailed financial costs and other impacts on the economy of the United States which would be incurred by the implementation of the protocol or other agreement.
The Kyoto Protocol adopted in Kyoto, on 11 December 1997 entered into force 16 February 2005. Its first commitment period started in 2008 and ended in 2012
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Kyoto Protocol • Common but differentiated responsibility
(CBDR)• Annex B parties with binding targets in
the second period• Annex B parties with binding targets in
the first period but not the second• non-Annex B parties without binding
targets• Annex B parties with binding targets in
the first period but which withdrew from the Protocol
• Signatories to the Protocol that have not ratified
• Other UN member states and observers that are not party yo the Protocol
July 22, 2012
Protocol’s first commitment period started in 2008 to 2012. A second commitment period was agreed on in 2012 to 2020, known as the Doha Amendment to the protocol, (37 countries have binding targets)
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Millennium Development Goals 2000
March 2016
2000 EIGHT Millennium Development Goals with 21 quantifiable targets with 60 indicators
2000 UN Global Compact launched as a voluntary initiative based on CEO commitments to implement universal sustainability principles and to take steps to support UN goals: promotes ten principles derived from: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.
Over 8000 companies have signed up.
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World Summit on Sustainable Development
July 22, 2012
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The strange re-birth of sustainable development
March 2016
“We have not implemented the Monterrey Consensus on Financing for Development, thus making it difficult for the majority of the developing countries especially those in Africa, to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, and have reduced the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation to an insignificant and perhaps forgotten piece of paper.” (Mbeki, 2006)
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Financial Crisis 2008
July 22, 2012
The impact of the financial crisis of 2008 was reviewed by the IMF in its 2010 report. It estimated the impact of the crisis was to see a further 53 million people drop into poverty.
The banks succeeded at privatizing the profits and socializing the losses as they led the global economy to the brink of collapse, the danger was growing of doing the same with the environment
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The Tail of Copenhagen 1. Key Governments did not want a
deal 2. The US political system3. Bad timing4. The host government5. The weather6. 24 hour news cycle7. EU politics8. Campaigners got their strategies
wrong
July 22, 2012
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Copenhagen Accord: • Recognizes that "deep cuts in global emissions
are required according to science" (IPCC AR4) and agrees cooperation in peaking (stopping from rising) global and national greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible
• developed countries would "commit to economy-wide emissions targets for 2020" to be submitted by 31 January 2010 and would strengthen their existing targets.
• Agrees that developing nations would "implement mitigation actions to slow growth in their carbon emissions, submitting these by 31 January 2010.
• Agrees a "goal" for the world to raise $100 billion per year by 2020, from "a wide variety of sources", to help developing countries cut carbon emissions
July 22, 2012
Planetary Boundaries 2010 – Oxfam Doughnut 2011
March 2016 Footer text here17
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What did Rio+20 actually do?
July 22, 2012
Agreed:• To replace the Commission on
Sustainable Development by the High Level Political Forum meeting annually and at Heads of State every four years.
• Upgrading UNEP to meet biannually as a United Nations Environmental Assembly with ALL member states
• Accelerated the approach to the Green Economy
Set up a process to agree Sustainable Development Goals to replace Millennium Development Goals in 2015
Set up a process to bring financing for sustainable development to the Third Financing for Development Conference in 2015
Set up a process to break the disagreement on technology transfer
International Energy Agency (2012)• Aim to keep under 2 degrees C (3.6 F) degree rise in global temperature (Copenhagen 2010)• At 4 degrees C (7.2 F) rise -- hottest for 30 million years – persistent drought would cover 40% of the worlds arable land including the western US and 3-6 feet sea rise and half of the species go extinct• Present way of living we are on track for a • 6 degree C (10.8 F) horizon – by 2100 – after Paris this is down to 2.7 degrees
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World Bank 2012 97 percent of scientists agree on
the reality of climate changeThe last 10,000 years
temperature has changed by no more than + or – 1 degree C
March 2016
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Climate Change Reminder – Sandy November 2012
March 2016
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Republicans on Climate Change“I think if you have mandatory carbon caps combined with a trading system, much like we did with sulfur, and if you have a tax-incentive program for investing in the solutions, that there’s a package there that’s very, very good. And frankly, it’s something I would strongly support.” Newt Gingrich (2007)“On The Issue Of Energy, Global Warming … This Nation, And Ultimately The World, Is Headed Towards Emission Caps And Energy Diversification. Another opportunity before us is to serve as an international model for energy efficiency and independence. On the issue of energy, global warming, dependence on foreign sources of fuel, an capitalism have come together to create opportunities for us that were unimaginable just a few short years ago. Today Florida has the opportunity to pursue bold energy policies, not just because they are good for our environment, but because people can actually make money at doing it. This nation, and ultimately the world, is headed towards emission caps and energy diversification.” Marco Rubio (2007)“I've asked my advisors to consider approaches to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including those that tap the power of markets, help realize the promise of technology and ensure the widest-possible global participation. As we analyze the possibilities, we will be guided by several basic principles. Our approach must be consistent with the long-term goal of stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.” President G. W. Bush (2001)“So that is my proposal. Before you get mugged by reality, take out an insurance policy. It’s the Reagan way.” George P. Shultz was secretary of state from 1982 to 1989 (2015)
March 2016
2015 What a Year for
Multilateralism and Sustainable DevelopmentAddis Ababa (July), New York (September) Paris (December)
March 2016 Footer text here
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2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 2015
March 2016
To replace the MDGs:• 100 National Consultations• 11 Thematic Consultations• Two High Level Panel
Reports (2011 and 2013)• Two Secretary General
Report• Rio+20• 13 sessions of the
Sustainable Development Goals Open Working Group
• 8 Intergovernmental Negotaions Sessions
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Sustainable Development Goals
July 22, 2012
What are the differences between the MDGs and SDGs?
The MDGs just applied to developing countriesThe SDGs apply to ALL countries
The MDGS are addressing developmentThe SDGs are addressing sustainable development
The MDGs address the problemsThe SDGs address the symptoms and causes
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Sustainable Development Goals
March 2016
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What does this mean for the USA?
July 22, 2012
GOAL Overall mark for goal (average of target scores)
Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 7.1 Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all 6.4 Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 6.3Goal 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
4.4
Goal 10. Reduce inequality within and among countries 3.6Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
2.7
Goal 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
2.7
Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
2.7
Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 2.6 Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 2.5Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities for all
2.5
Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture
2.3
Goal 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 2.2Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
2.1
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What can the USA do?• Government should produce a National Sustainable Development
Goals Strategy with stakeholders• Government should re-establish the Sustainable Development Council• May it a requirement that Congress committees will hold hearings on the
Strategy and the annual reports that the government produces• Local and Regional Assemblies to develop their own Sustainable
Development Goals Strategies with their communities• Local and Regional Assemblies should develop their own indicator
packages to measure delivery against the targets • Local and Regional Assemblies should use their committee strategy to
annually review the strategy and report• Local and Regional Assemblies should work with other stakeholders to
create partnerships to accelerate the implementation of the 20130 Agenda
July 22, 2012
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Paris Climate Change Agreement• The universal agreement’s main aim is to keep a global temperature rise this century well
below 2 degrees Celsius and to drive efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
• Governments decided that they will work to define a clear roadmap on ratcheting up climate finance to USD 100 billion by 2020 while also before 2025 setting a new goal on the provision of finance from the USD 100 billion floor.
• All countries will submit adaptation communications, in which they may detail their adaptation priorities, support needs and plans. Developing countries will receive increased support for adaptation actions and the adequacy of this support will be assessed.
• The existing Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage will be significantly strengthened.
• The agreement includes a robust transparency framework for both action and support. The framework will provide clarity on countries’ mitigation and adaptation actions, as well as the provision of support. At the same time, it recognizes that Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States have special circumstances.
• The agreement includes a global stocktake starting in 2023 to assess the collective progress towards the goals of the agreement. The stocktake will be done every five years.
• The agreement includes a compliance mechanism, overseen by a committee of experts that operates in a non-punitive way.
March 2016
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What is the impact of Paris?• Current climate pledges from 188
Parties do not yet correlate with the agreed global objective.
• Recent assessment with the Climate Action Tracker consortium projects a 2.7°C (4.85 F) warming by the end of this century if all governments fully implemented their intended nationally determined contributions.
• This is much better than before the Paris process, but still far away from “well below” 2°C, let alone 1.5°C.
July 22, 2012
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So what happens if we address Climate Change?
March 2016
A better US policy on climate change
The new Congress in 2017 should address climate change properly
• Emissions need to fall by over 80% by 2030 for the USA to do its fair share in tackling global climate change.
• The Government’s plan to meet existing CO2 budgets is way off course- because the US congress has blocked it. The new Government in 2017 needs to toughen climate policy across all sectors of the economy.
• We need a REAL NEW DEAL to fund the transfer to renewable energy.
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Local and Regional Government key to Climate Change
March 2016
The activities of cities alone account for more than 70% of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, a number which is expected to grow as urbanization continues across the globe.
Felix DoddsSenior Fellow at the Global Research Institute
University of North Carolina
"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”…….."Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe."