COP23 – Putting the Nuts and Bolts on the Paris Agreement

The Paris Agreement was the accord that put halting global warming firmly at the door of every country, with COP23 seen as the conference that would start laying the ground rules. With the need for carbon emission to be reduced quickly, the conference was described as being at the lowest point of the global warming rollercoaster ride, with future COPs escalating the pressure on countries to deliver on pledges and expectations.

The prime minister of Fiji, Frank Bainimarama, was the official host of this year's UN Climate Summit, COP 23. Logistics dictated it be held in the headquarters of the UNFCCC Secretariat in a rainy Bonn, Germany, from 6th to 17th November, and not the sunny tropics of Fiji. A symbolic host, as a small island nation at greatest risk for actual physical extinction from climate change and associated sea level rise. One diplomat described COP23 as “putting the nuts and bolts on the Paris Agreement”, but has it delivered?

There were world leaders and diplomats all hoping to make headway at the conference, however, it was 12-year-old Timoci Naulusala from Fiji who arguably delivered the more emotive speech. “The sea is swallowing villages,” he said, “eating away at shorelines, wither crops…It is sad... but its real”.

The fortnight kicked off with the expected demand for a collaborative approach from all levels. The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, called for more ambition, leadership and partnership in climate change and that “If big infrastructure projects aren’t green, they shouldn’t be given the green light. Otherwise, we will be locked into bad choices for decades”.

The mood overall was that as a collective, government and private pledged commitments to follow the Paris Agreement were reaffirmed, with America looking slightly bereft at being left out in the cold. The UK and Canada chose the conference to launch a global alliance of 20+ countries commitment in moving the planet away from burning coal and towards cleaner sources of power. Along with a wide range of businesses and organizations, the Powering Past Coal Alliance promotes clean growth, as it aims to achieve the rapid phasing-out of traditional coal power. With 40% of global electricity produced from coal-fired power stations, it makes it one of the biggest global pollutants. Nevertheless, what always raises eyebrows at any COP is the presence of large coal and oil businesses. Whilst some say it hinders progress and action on key global warming issues, others say that without the big coal and oil industry players being on board, change and progress are less likely to happen.

The issue of “loss and damage” payments could have been a potential flashpoint at COP23 and although it was discussed, the final decision has been pushed back to 2018. An Announcement was made for the programme “CAPACITY” or “Capacity Award Programme to Advance Capabilities and Institutional Training in one Year.” A new fellowship programme aimed at Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in response to challenges they face from climate change. It aims to develop local, professional expertise. Building resilience to climate impacts is essential, as seen in recent months with floods in India and hurricanes devastation small island communities in the Caribbean.

What About America? President Trump’s intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement sent shockwaves around the world, more so now that Syria has pledged that it will make moves to join the agreement soon. Coming into effect in 2020, the withdrawal of the wealthiest nation and one of the biggest polluters from the agreement provoked many questions for COP23. However, it wasn’t the most significant talking point as some believed it would be, mainly because this conference was looking ahead, creating the rules for reducing carbon emissions and not dwelling on one country’s lack of commitment.

There were mixed messages from the American delegation too, with some delegates involved in discussions on the agreement, from which their President had already announced plans to withdraw! In the other camp, American states, cities, businesses and private individuals had pledged to remain part of the Paris Agreement. Thus “America’s Pledge” aims to “bring together private and public sectors leaders to ensure the United States remains a global leader in reducing emissions” and, the pledge continues to meet the “ambitious climate goals of the Paris Agreement”.

There is also the “We Are Still In” movement gathering pace with 1,000 private American businesses looking to take steps to meet the ambitious Paris Agreement. One seasoned COP delegate said that the “mood on the ground was OK” and that America wasn’t going to cause a problem as “they still don’t know what they actually want.”

Climate Engineering, also known as climate intervention and geoengineering, was discussed in the closing days of COP23. A large-scale and deliberate intervention in the climate system aims to aid in the removal of carbon dioxide. Large-scale projects such as planting trees is just one example. There were other approaches discussed including stratospheric aerosol injection. The technology was referred to by some, as “terrifying”, but with doing nothing not an option, expect lively debate in the coming years over how far we should interfere in turning back “the thermostat of the global air conditioning system” as expressed by Janos Pasztor, Executive Director of the Carnegie Climate Geoengineering Governance Initiative (C2G2).

Was COP23 Successful? If success is measured by reaffirming commitment from leading nations then yes, COP23 was successful. Delegates did not expect it to be an event delivering high-profile, ambitious targets or rule changes relating to the Paris Agreement. This COP started the process of adding flesh to the bones of who would need to take what action and by when to reduce carbon emissions.

At the start of the conference, government ministers and delegates were asked what would make COP23 in Bonn a success. The answers were clear – it would be clarifying the ‘rulebook’ on the Paris Agreement while stoking ambition and commitment to reduce global emissions. The news that emissions are increasing shows that we are yet to reach a turning point. Emissions are expected to climb further, but in order for change to happen, emissions need to be halved, an enormous undertaking and without precedent. Has COP23 delivered? It seems it has with a renewed sense of commitment, with focus now turning to COP24.