After a little introduction to the UNFCCC bodies, processes and background, we like to share some aspects and developments about the first days.
We arrived on Monday afternoon, got registered and started to get an overview of the current situation by following as many events as possible. We got aware that the SBs had initiated discussions on the agenda quite intensively, why negotiators had quite some meetings without any observer participation.
Tuesday, our real first day at UNFCCC, started with a meeting with the youth, being represented by the YOUNGO constituency. We introduced ourselves and the IFMSA to the young people from about five to six other youth NGOs dealing with climate change (UK Youth Climate Coalition, Friends of the earth, Plant for the planet, Climate Action Network etc.). The objectives of those daily morning meetings are to discuss and coordinate campaigns, actions and interventions by YOUNGO or its member NGOs as well as giving an overview of youth relevant announcements.
Focused on negotiations we attended the plenaries of AWG-LCA and AWG-KP which constructively agreed on their agendas, in contrary to SBSTA and SBI who kept discussion on agenda items.
Apparently the mood of the NGOs was getting tenser due to the postponement of SBs plenaries.
During the special report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) we’ve been positively surprised that the scientists mentioned health benefits several times while they presented the latest data on mitigation strategies to reduce emissions! Therefore it was quite encouraging to see that the IPCC, probably one of the most objective groups around here, has incorporated the health benefit issue into its statements!
In terms of Article 6 activities we had an informal meeting with Luis from the secretariat at this same day. He gave us an update on the current discussions of the reviewing process of Article 6 and commented on the work being done here in Bonn within the working group. Responding to our question, how in the secretariats opinion we could contribute and support best to a fair and healthy reviewing process, Luis motivated us to keep our reflected and experienced role in this process and make concrete suggestions and proposals instead of proclaiming generally.
Best,
Sebastian and Hanna
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