WEDNESDAY, 13 JUNE 2007:
The South African Minister of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk
is currently in Riksgransen, Sweden, attending
a Ministerial meeting involving the 25 key
countries engaged in the current climate
change debate. At this meeting the delegations
are also directly observing impacts of climate
change on livelihoods and ecosystems in
Lapland. This meeting builds on the outcomes
of the G8 Summit and the outreach session
with the Heads of State and Government from
South Africa, Brazil, India, China and Mexico
(the so-called Outreach 5) in Heiligendamm,
Germany, last week.
One of the key aims of the Ministerial
meeting in Sweden is to give further substance
to the political signal received from the
G8 plus 5 Heads of State in Germany last
week, and to outline a clear programme of
work with a view to concluding negotiations,
by the end of 2009, on the nature of commitments
and the architecture of the climate regime
after 2012. The immediate focus is on what
could be achieved during the next round
of climate change negotiations to be held
in Bali, Indonesia, in December 2007. It
will be critically important that the meeting
in Bali gives greater urgency to the negotiations
under the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol.
Speaking from Sweden, Minister Van Schalkwyk
said: “It is clear to me that we need a
significant advance in the multi-lateral
negotiations if we want to build a more
inclusive, flexible and environmentally
effective climate regime under the United
Nations. New initiatives and agreements
that complement the multilateral regime
- such as those recently proposed by the
USA - are welcome, as long as they feed
into the multilateral system and are not
aimed at displacing it.”
“In this context, I am encouraged by the
strong political signal on the urgency of
action and the need for intensified negotiations
from the G8 Summit last week. Progress will
depend on a package deal that is capable
of gaining broad political consensus, that
balances the key interests and concerns
of all countries, and that does not present
a one-size-fits-all solution. Though we
have different responsibilities, we also
have a common responsibility to act within
our respective capabilities and in accordance
with our national circumstances.”
“A package deal on a comprehensive climate
regime after 2012 should balance the following
key elements:
Adaptation for all, but in particular for
the poor and vulnerable developing countries
More ambitious and legally-binding emission
reduction targets for all developed countries
under the Kyoto Protocol
Enhanced mitigation actions by developing
countries that is measurable, reportable
and that can be verified under the UN Framework
Convention on Climate Change
Managing the unintended consequences of
our adaptation and mitigation policies and
response measures for the economies of other
countries
Technology development, diffusion and commercialization,
with an emphasis on research, development
and diffusion in support of adaptation,
the decarbonisation of our economies, and
economic diversification
The deforestation issue
Investment, incentives and financing
“A fresh start in Bali will need to weave
together these different strands into one
multilateral framework. If any strand breaks,
the rope will not be strong enough to carry
the load. The 3 mitigation strands that
will be deal breakers are (i) deeper emission
reductions for all Kyoto Parties, (ii) re-engagement
of the USA in the full multilateral process
and binding emission reductions, and (iii)
more urgent and measurable action by developing
countries.”
“Moving forward will require bold political
leadership. By 2009 we will need a common
understanding that all developed countries
need to be playing on the same field, and
that developing countries need to be playing
on a matching field, one which involves
the recognition of and positive incentives
for their tangible action in contributing
to our common responsibilities.”
“By the end of this year, the Convention
Dialogue where we are discussing enhanced
action by developing countries will come
to a formal end. What is therefore required
in Bali in December this year, is that we
turn the Dialogue discussions into negotiations.
In addition, the USA and Australia must
engage in the full multi-lateral process.
An end date of 2009, at the latest, must
be formally set for agreeing future emission
reduction targets for all developed countries
under the Protocol, and we must formulate
a clear work programme for completing our
negotiations under the Convention and its
Kyoto Protocol within this time frame. This
is our Roadmap for Bali. We must turn talk
into action; discussions into negotiations.
Should this fail, we will place an unmanageable
burden on future generations.”
Riaan Aucamp (Minister's Spokesperson)
