World leaders at Paris Climate Change Summit
30 November – 11 December 2015
Photo: AFP
Chiefs of the World – government leaders of 195 countries – have converged into Paris, France, this week with one main goal in mind to achieve from this major UN Summit on Climate Change: to attempt to agree (secure) a new universal deal to tackle climate change by cutting greenhouse gas emissions. In total up to 40,000 people will take part in this 2-week summit.
The UN wants to secure a truly universal global deal/agreement on tackling climate change for the first time, as part of efforts to prevent the temperature rising by more than 2C (3.6F) above pre-industrial levels this century.
Scientists agree that above that level the world is likely to see the most severe effects of climate change, including heatwaves, droughts and flooding.
Although there were previous summits on climate change, the Copenhagen summit in 2009 was the last time that world leaders met with the intention of agreeing on a binding global deal, which they hoped would cover emissions cuts from 2012. However, that summit ended in acrimony.
“Although Croatia’s footprint on the total global CO2 emissions is a minute 0.06% one, the negative effects of climate change are felt in Croatia in the same way as they are felt across the rest of the world,” says in the Press release dated 30 November, Ministry for the Protection Of Environment and Nature, Croatia.
Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic
at Paris UN summit on
climate change
Photo: HINA
Indeed, Croatia’s Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic, reiterated the words of the above Press release at the Paris summit where he led a Croatian delegation. Croatia, of course, will not be making any strides or new policy directions or statements that would make a difference to the goals set out for the summit, however Croatia is set to follow EU’s direction and directives in the climate change arena. Nevertheless Croatia’s Prime Minister did briefly address the summit in Paris on Monday 30 November.
“…the responsibilities and obligations should be allocated to parties not only on the basis of their greenhouse gas emissions but also considering their capacities of their GDP. Countries that largely contribute to emissions and have the economic strength to take measures must take on more responsibilities…,” said Milanovic.
In other words, according to the Croatian Prime Minister: those that have more should pay more!
Droughts, floods like the catastrophic recent ones of Eastern Slavonia or extreme temperatures have been seen as threats to the environment, to health and security of citizens and to the Croatian national economy. Croatian government’s plans to fall into the world efforts to battle climate change include strategies of low-carbon developments.
The Framework for the Low-emission Development Strategy of Croatia, prepared in cooperation with UNDP (UN Development Program), has been used as the basis for the development of the Low-Carbon Development Strategy (click here for PDF version), with defined sectoral aims to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Croatia had committed to develop the Low-emission Development Strategy as part of duty towards the European Union and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which fosters countries to prepare low-carbon development strategies and indicates that climate change requires developing long-term strategies in accordance with sustainable development. The development strategy aims at separating economic development from the exploitation of limited natural resources. While the emphasis is on reducing the greenhouse gas emissions, the more far-reaching goal is to make development plans that take into consideration mutual dependency between humans and nature.
Extract from presentation by
Energy Institute Hrvoje Pozar – Croatia
Photo: Screenshot
Low-carbon development was/is also a part of the solution for the most important economic problem in Croatia: unemployment. UNDP’s research pointed out that a balanced focus on the energy efficiency and renewable energy sources could lead to the creation of 80 000 new “green” jobs and help Croatia fulfill the obligations connected to climate change. A lack of funds is not an excuse as Croatia spends 5-6 per cent of its GDP on the import of fossil fuels at the moment. These funds could be relocated to foster the development of renewables – stated UNDP on its website.
Zoran Milanovic’s government has been very slack, slow and ineffective in truly making positive and significant inroads in the creation of enough new “green” jobs to make a visible positive difference in unemployment figures; any green job created seems to get eaten up by another job lost or another company gone bankrupt. Perhaps the 2015 Paris summit on climate change may provide stepping-stones for Croatia to advance in the low-carbon development process.
Extract from presentation by
Energy Institute Hrvoje Pozar – Croatia
Photo: Screenshot
Generally, the message coming out loudly so far from the Paris summit on climate change is that the leading countries of the world recognise for the first time in history the opportunities that come with taking action and that if they don’t take action their prosperity will suffer! Furthermore, it would seem that the consensus in Paris is, so far, that actions to be taken to combat climate change are not once-off actions or single actions as the Kyoto protocol might have suggested and promoted but that effective actions are in effect a process, even a long-term one.
If a universal deal or agreement is reached in Paris it, alone, most likely will not be enough to stop dangerous climate change. The process of actions will need to be heavily studded with determination, creativity, funds to invest in renewable energy sources etc. According to the UN, various national pledges to cut emissions made ahead of the 2015 Paris summit are likely to leave the world on course for warming of at least 2.7C. That will make a significant “dent” in the warming that might otherwise be seen, but not enough to prevent dangerous warming.
The aim of the Paris Summit is to also agree on a framework that will make countries improve their formerly expressed pledges of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as setting a long-term goal that will help limit warming to 2C.
All countries will need to curb their emissions if dangerous effects of climate change are to be stopped in their tracks. One senses, though, that the developing countries do not want to miss out on the economic growth that developed nations have enjoyed on the back of fossil fuels and will seek greater leeway over actions they are to take in battling climate change. They will also want financial help to do all this and if one reads between the lines of Croatian Prime Minister’s words money is central to the success whichever way one looks at it. Money indeed seems to present as a major stumbling block and barrier to “ideal” speed of progress in battling dangerous effects of climate change and Croatian like several other EU countries, will depend on the size of the EU purse unless it lifts its governance game and injects more local knowledge, effort and resources into the low-carbon development plan realisation in order to pursue a truly greener path. Perhaps in days that come Croatia will soon have a new government that may turn a greener leaf in Croatia’s renewable energy source development and industry growth.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi while acknowledging the reality that conventional energy sources such as coal would continue to be used at present said that funds were necessary to clean up coal-based generation. This could be done using the Green Climate Fund, which needs scaling up, he said.
“Show me the money!” (if you want action) is likely THE mantra to come out of the Paris summit on climate change, sadly making the summit into a spectacular fizz. But 11 December 2015 – when summit ends – is still a fair way away and chances of an easier deal, a not-so-slippery one as the one dependent on cold-hard-cash tends to be, may yet crop up. One reality remains though – all policies that limit the use of fossil or conventional fuels seem to make everyone poorer and the poor nations suffer the most unless money is guaranteed and in supply to prop-up clean energy sources. Some poorer nations of the world, grossly and negatively affected by climate change, are lobbying and urging the Paris summit for a 1.5C target instead of the 2C warming above pre-industrial era levels. This latest target is indeed ambitious vis-à-vis the will and the might we have seen “the world” display so far and it could well prove to be an another lever raising the “Show me the money!” dependency any notable success of widespread curbing of greenhouse gas emissions has. Ina Vukic, Prof. (Zgb); B.A.,M.A.Ps.(Syd)
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Nastup premijera Zorana Milanovića na otvaranju klimatskog samita u Parizu još jednom je pokazao do koje mjere hrvatski političari govore jedno na međunarodnim skupovima, a rade potpuno suprotno u Republici Hrvatskoj.
Milanovićev govor prema kojim; ‘svaki oblik rasta baziran na visokougljičnim modelima više nije učinkovit, dapače, predstavlja prijetnju svijetu za buduće generacije’ u jasnoj suprotnosti s energetskom politikom njegove dosadašnje Vlade koja se bavila gotovo isključivo promocijom dva visokougljična projekta: termoelektranom Plomin C na ugljen i eksploatacijom nafte na Jadranu.
Gotovo je smiješno slušati g. Milanovića kako objašnjava međunarodnoj zajednici da energetska efikasnost i obnovljivi izvori energije mogu i moraju otvoriti nova zelena radna mjesta, dok u stvarnosti na tom području njegova Vlada nije učinila ništa.
http://unfccc6.meta-fusion.com/cop21/events/2015-11-30-14-45-leaders-event-statements-by-heads-of-state-and-government-la-loire-part-2/his-excellency-mr-zoran-milanovic-prime-minister-of-croatia
TRANSLATION OF COMMENT BY CROATIAN CENER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES: The performance of Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic at the opening of the climate summit in Paris once again demonstrated the extent to which Croatian politicians say one thing at international conferences, and work completely contrary within the Republic of Croatia.
Milanovic’s speech which said that ‘any form of growth based on High Carbon model is no longer effective, in fact, constitutes a threat to the world for future generations ” is in clear contradiction with his government’s current energy policy which dealt almost exclusively promoting two High Carbon Project power plant Plomin C coal and oil exploitation in the Adriatic .
It is almost funny to listen to g. Milanovic explain to the international community that energy efficiency and renewable energy can and must create new green jobs, while in reality in this area his government has done nothing.
REPLY: So well said CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES – indeed this Croatian government should have been booted out long ago. God help Croatia if they – the Social Democrats with their unstable and wildly communist nostalgic partners get to form the new government in coming days.
Thank you for these interesting report about the climate summit in Paris and about the situation in Croatia. I think however that we all of us have to contribute- travel less or by bicycle or on foot, eat less meat and abolish fuel heatings. Best regards Martina
So right you are, Martina – I hope that one good thing to come out of Paris will be a greater effort in giving green energy, renewable energy sources a better chance
Will anything be solved or resolved in Paris? i have my doubts.
Excellent post, Ina
Thank You
big hugs
john
Thank you, John, but I also doubt there will be a sustainable agreement reached but I do sense that this time around there is a recognition of need to keep putting actions in place and continue rather than, say – do this and you’re done/OK etc. Respecting nature is a continuous process so lets hope there will be a shift to clean/green energy at a faster pace regardless of any climate change or not. So far big business (selling fossil fuels) has ruled the market and I would love to see a better chance given to renewable energy sources.
The US House of Representatives moved yesterday to block any agreements made at the summit by Obama. That tells you how it stands over here. Nothing must get in the way of profit. The good news is corporate America will sell the whole country to the highest bidder. They’ll even sell their mother’s soul for the right price.
Getting that way in other countries too, Rod 🙁
Don’t know about you, but ‘pledges’ have historically brought a bunch of yawns from the public – even monetary ones. The money disappears, and the promise is lost. Our faith is challenged by a lack of integrity and soon we just shake our heads. We have seen it so many times that we just don’t – believe – any more.
Indeed – the money disappears, Helena – especially in countries riddled with corruption and nepotism. So: world – beware…pledges mean not much these days
The only climate change needed in Croatia is in politics! All kidding aside, the problem of climate change has nothing to do with pollution as many people are led to believe but is caused by the destruction of the solar system . NASA and many other country scientists have been destroying parts of the SOLAR SYSTEMS FOR DECADES. Exploiting the surfaces of planets that we know nothing about and actually destroying other planet systems has been creating the problems at a faster pace then the earth can handle. I think a lot of people get confused between environmental damage and climate change. One has nothing to do with the other then only in pipe dreams.Every country should become energy independent through clean energy and technology not because of the climate change but to protect the environment. The real challenge is for politicians to get serious about the environment and stop buying oil through the OPEC and other oil rich countries but that is hard to do when so many people are corrupting our governments through greed. Until we the people recognize that one thing has nothing to do with the other those politicians are blowing out more hot gases out of their areses for nothing more then political reasons.
Yep. to the point – Michael.
I pray for success in Paris. I am continually pleased by improving technology: a mirror the size of 27 football pitches in Morocco, I think, to focus solar energy; and fearful about fracking, poisoning the ground water.
I so keenly look forward to more and more clean energy sources – and if we all do our bit on roofs of our houses etc all will be so much better
Thank you for posting this update. Although I do wish them the best, but sadly to say the answer to this matter is beyond our realm of comprehension. But,at least they are attempting…
I wish they would try harder, Nadege as trying so far has not brought much advancement in stopping the negative changes or at least reducing them so that the threat of disasters is not so terrifying for many countries including yours. But I do agree with you that its good they’re getting together and talking about a same issue/agenda
It good they have a summit for climate change… it’s the whole world’s responsibility and not just one or certain countries. We all need to play our part and contribute to saving the planet.
…and all need to genuine in their efforts and promises, Kev.
Indeed, but that remains to be seen, Ina.
Thanks for this interesting article. We just installed solar panels on our roof but the UK government is withdrawing its subsidies. Let’s hope there will be good decisions and it’s not a case of too little too late 🙂
Same problem in other countries, Christoph – it seems government’s subsidies of solar panels reflects that which I mentioned: in past there were singular actions for limited periods (eg subsidies for solar panels or roof insulation bats) but if I got it right this time around governments recognise actions cannot stop “mid-stream” – need to continue till “it’s done” or clean energy sources are prevalent in usage.
This is important news and an update the world needs to see. Blessings to you Ina. Hugs, Barbara
Thank you Barbara, very important issue indeed. Hugs
Reblogged this on IdealisticRebel's Daily View of Favorites.
Thank you for the reblog, Barbara