The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)
All news and images from the UNFCCC COP 17 in Durban is available at www.climatepasifika.blogspot.com
Durban, South Africa, 23 November 2011 - Pacific survival is what the region is negotiating for during the Climate conference in Durban over the next three
weeks. The 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework to the Convention on Climate Change is hosted
in South Africa.
Preparations for a strong Pacific voice included a one day Pacific strategy meeting coordinated by the Secretariat of
the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in Durban. This is followed by a two day preparatory meeting with the
Alliance of Small Islands States (AOSIS) which the Pacific is part of, to form a stronger negotiating block during the
discussions with over 190 parties.
“These negotiations are crucial for the survival of the Pacific region,” said Espen Ronneberg, SPREP’s climate change
adviser.
“Many pacific communities feel the impact of climate change now and we can’t sit by and let this happen to us, by being
here and arguing our case we take every step we can for Pacific survival. Our one day meeting was to help strengthen our
united Pacific ‘asks’ and strategically plan our way forward for the next three weeks.”
For the Pacific, climate change has impacted upon the lives of many people. In October this year Tuvalu and Tokelau
declared a state of emergency due to drought conditions with the Cook Islands and Samoa experiencing several water
shortages. In the Solomon Islands and Federated States of Micronesia, traditional food crops are now difficult to grow
because of salt water inundation.
Climate change is caused by greenhouse gas emissions; AOSIS is asking for countries to commit to deeper emission cuts.
Science shows the Pacific region currently contributes to less than 0.03% of the World’s total greenhouse gases however
we are among the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
“This is just one of the issues that the Pacific is negotiating at the Conference of the Parties we have many other
negotiating agenda issues to follow over the next three weeks.”
Quick information on the Gigatonne gap
Total annual emissions must be reduced to no more than 44 gigatonnes by 2020 and continue to fall thereafter to avoid a
temperature increase of over 2.0 degrees Celsius. An even steeper decline is needed to keep warming well below 1.5
degrees to avoid devastating impacts.
Last year emissions pushed 48 gigatonnes.
To learn more about the Gigatonne Gap, visit: http://climatepasifika.blogspot.com/2011_10_05_archive.html
For more information on the UNFCCC COP 17 in Durban, please visit: http://www.cop17-cmp7durban.com/
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