7 February 2010
Quote of the Day
Copenhagen was a breakdown, not pre-structured or undertaken in good faith."
Prof Jeffrey D Sachs
Quote of the Day
Empty promises of aid to poor countries that are not honoured have zero value."
Prof Jeffrey D Sachs
Quote of the Day
In our common efforts, we cannot start from zero."
HE Mr J R E Quesada
Quote of the Day
The role of civil society is to put the Junoon (passion) back into the battle against climate change."
Mr Carl Pope
Quote of the Day
The impacts of climate change have begun, and we have lost years and years of precious time due to irresponsible leaders."
Mr Bittu Sahgal
Quote of the Day
We, in the US, have no business to build coal-based power plants today."
Ms Anjali Jaiswal
Quote of the Day
We cannot continue with business as usual. We have a responsibility beyond our own timeline."
Prof Walter Erdelen
Quote of the Day
There is no need for despair - the message has gone to civil society on the need for action."
Mr Suman K Bery
Quote of the Day
We need books like 'Eco-footprint for Dummies' to teach us how to reduce our personal ecological footprints in our daily lives."
Mr Rick Mayo-Smith
Quote of the Day
We must practice what we preach."
Dr Ursula Schaefer-Preuss
Quote of the Day
We have to share the burden, otherwise we will share the consequences."
Mr John Kerry
Quote of the Day
We have not created the world, but we received it."
Rt Hon John Gummer
Quote of the Day
We are not taking about future but reality. We are already suffering, losing territory everyday and that our survival is threatened."
HE Ms M P E Lloyd
Quote of the Day
Copenhagen Accord was valuable but we must assist the multilateral process."
Mr Shyam Saran

Climate Challenge in Africa

The session focused on the main issues that are of utmost importance to the African conglomeration of countries, in the light of the impacts of climate change on Africa.

The session commenced with the remarks of the chairperson for the session Prof Lord Nicholas Stern, Lord Stern of Brentford, Kt, FBA IG Patel Professor of Economics & Government, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK.

He stressed that, in the case of Africa, development, adaptation and mitigation are intricately intertwined. He said that Africa is vulnerable physically as well as from the point of view of poverty impacts of climate change. He also mentioned that several opportunities exist for Africa in the field of solar power and hydro-power.

In his final remarks, Lord Stern was emphatic in mentioning that it is indeed possible and feasible to achieve two seemingly contrasting goals of managing climate change and removing poverty in Africa.

Speakers

He highlighted that Africa is already facing the brunt of climate change. He said that although he felt encouraged by the IPCC and the recent Copenhagen Accord, he felt that the lack of action at present is the biggest hurdle to development.
 
He expressed that Rwanda is already facing serious climate change threats. He also emphasized that natural adaptation capacities must be supported adequately by financial and human capacities.
 
He asserted that climate change could be looked upon as an opportunity if the industrial community of the world supports Africa in its efforts to combat climate change. He said that having learnt bitter lessons from the WTO, it would be better to start acting now on adaptation and mitigation strategies rather than losing precious time waiting for other parties to come on board.
Mr Aboulie Janneh Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Ethiopia   HE Mr Stanislas Kamanzi Minister of Natural Resources, Rwanda   HE Mr Erastus Mwencha Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Ethiopia  

She stressed that India, particularly South Asia, and Africa should learn from each other, and build their capacities to make themselves less vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
 
He maintained that there is a need for concentrating on the existing IPR regime for provision of clean technologies to developing countries. He also emphasized that in the case of new financing, it should be taken care that the terms of trade for Africa are not diluted.
   
Dr Ligia Noronha Director, Resources and Global Security, Centre for Global Agreements, Leg. & Trade, TERI, India   Mr Gurjit Singh Joint Secretary (East & Southern Africa), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India      

Important links