LDCs canvass fair, ambitious action as COP22 kicks off in Marrakesh

Among environ­ment enthusiast and activists, the issue of the day is the Marrakesh convention and many coun­tries of the world are tak­ing positions according to what they think they can get through intense negotia­tions and lobbying from the ongoing 22nd Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP22), which holds 7-18 November 2016

For the group of nations deemed highly disadvan­taged in respective countries’ development process, com­monly called Least Developed Countries (LDCs), what is of utmost interest for them is a fair and ambitious action in Marrakech.

EnviroNews, an online environment news platform, quotes the 48-nation group with Tosi Mpanu-Mpanu as its chairman as saying , “COP22 will be an action and imple­mentation COP. As the world’s poorest countries, the LDC group calls for fair and ambi­tious action. We must build upon the foundations set in Paris to construct robust rules to support the Agreement’s implementation.”

Noting with concern that full implementation of cur­rent pledges by countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions puts the world on track for 3-3.5°C of warming above pre-industrial levels, Mpanu-Mpanu says “science tells us that beyond temperature increases of 1.5°C, the future of our planet stands on increas­ingly thin ice.

“It is imperative for com­munities across the world that countries take seriously their goal to pursue efforts to keep temperatures below 1.5°C. We cannot afford to treat this as an aspirational goal. An upwards spiralling of commitments to cut emissions that is both fair and proportionate to chal­lenge rising before us is vital”

LDCs plan to contribute to these global efforts through the LDC Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Ini­tiative (REEEI) for Sustainable Development, among other ways.

“The upcoming launch of the LDC REEEI in Mar­rakech demonstrates the continued commitment of the LDC group to real solu­tions that benefit real people on the ground. The Initiative will enable LDCs to leapfrog fossil fuel based energy and generate prosperity by bring­ing modern, clean, resilient energy systems to millions of energy-starved people”, he said.

LDCs are particularly vul­nerable to climate change, with hazards including rising sea levels, extreme weather events, increased drought and floods and the spread of tropical diseases threatening health and food security. “As LDCs, we lack the resources and capacity to adequately protect our communities from the devastating im­pacts of climate change.

In Marrakech we seek greater commitment from devel­oped countries to provide financial support, technology and capacity building to en­able LDCs to respond to the climate crisis,” says the LDC group chair.

The Marrakech meeting will see entry into force of the Paris Agreement on 4 No­vember. He comments: “The first meeting of the CMA is an important springboard for the implementation of the Paris Agreement. We celebrate newfound global unity to act on climate change. But given the moment of entry into force has arrived earlier than anticipated we must also en­sure countries yet to deposit their instruments of ratifica­tion are not left behind on the launchpad. We look forward to an inclusive and transpar­ent process in Marrakech that allows all countries to participate as we approach this next hurdle.”

He underlines the neces­sity of pre-2020 action: “The impacts of climate change are already upon us. Pre-2020 action must be strengthened urgently to provide the thrust needed to propel our econo­mies and policies towards effective, sustainable and ambitious actions.”

The LDC group has al­ready convened in Marrakech for preparatory meetings from 1-2 November, to con­solidate LDC positions and strategies ahead of the up­coming negotiations.

Currently, the 48 LDCs comprise around 880 mil­lion people, 12 per cent of the world population, which face severe structural impedi­ments to growth. However, the LDCs account for less than 2 per cent of world GDP and around 1 per cent of world trade.