GLOBAL CIVIL SOCIETY CONSORTIUM ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND CONFERENCE OF PARTIES (GCSCCC)
Summary Note of the 2nd GCSCCC General Assembly Virtual Consultation held on 5 March 2024
Quick recap
The meeting involved a discussion on the global impact of climate change, with a focus on the need for urgent action and the importance of international collaboration. The team also discussed the formation of a Global Steering Council and the establishment of technical working groups to tackle various issues. A proposal for an inaugural conference was introduced, with a focus on global participation and a call for suggestions on the theme. The meeting concluded with a review of ongoing initiatives and plans for future actions.
Summary
The meeting was attended by participants from various countries and organizations. The Chair of the GCSCCC Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje initiated the meeting and requested everyone to input their details for attendance purposes. The agenda for the meeting was also shared. Peter Owiti (Kenya) was introduced as the speaker for the technical session. Other participants were also recognized and welcomed.
Adoption of Agenda and Notes/Minutes of the last General Assembly Consultation
There was a discussion about adopting the meeting agenda, with Juliet Were (Uganda) proposing its adoption and Myra Jackson (USA) seconding the motion. There were also issues with hearing and mutual understanding, with multiple requests for clarification and repetition. The minutes from the previous meeting were shared and Parvana Valiyeva (Azerbaijan) suggested including an assessment of NGOs, civil society organizations, or communities in the group, as well as information about observer status in today’s meeting agenda. The minutes were then adopted with Eddah Kanini (Kenya) moving the motion and Folorunsho (Nigeria) seconding it.
GCSCCC’s Priorities for the Next Three Years
The meeting involved a discussion about a list and its distribution among various countries. Peter suggested an affirmative action to give countries that haven't balanced their agenda another chance. The team also discussed the process of informing approved members of the General Assembly. There was an update on COP29 and an open discussion for members to share their actions or concerns (see below).
Consortium Facilitation Questions/Discussion
Participants/delegates at the Consultation responded to the following questions, and their responses are being collated and analysed by the GCSCCC Secretariat to inform further activities of the Consortium:
• What do you suggest as priorities for the global Civil Society Consortium on Climate Change and the UNFCCC COPs [GCSCCC] in the next 3 years?
• How shall we ensure that the GCSCCC contributes effectively and significantly to accelerate coordinated and inclusive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Paris Agreement, Etc.?
• How shall we ensure better engagement, interaction and follow-up to harness the Steering Council and GCSCCC system’s full potential?
• For the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, and related/similar Global and United Nations Events, how shall we mobilize the GCSCCC to achieve maximum progress on Climate Change, the COPs and the SDGs in the light of the fast- approaching target year of 2030?
• What do you suggest should be the Theme for the first Annual Conference of the GCSCCC?
Technical Session by H.E. Mr. Peter Owiti
Peter Owiti (Kenya) discussed ongoing climate change negotiations and the role of individuals and nations in contributing to the problem. He emphasized the challenges in negotiating solutions, particularly for countries whose economies rely heavily on fossil fuels. He also highlighted the urgent need to address the effects of climate change, including rising water levels and flooding in vulnerable areas, and the importance of collecting funds to mitigate these effects. Peter concluded by expressing concern over the increase in fossil fuel use and pollution by certain countries and emphasized the necessity for funding and the GCSCCC to establish a hub for regular meetings and negotiations under the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29).
Ongoing Climate Change Negotiations and the Role of Civil Society and Non-State Actors'
What CSOs need to do
v
The civil society need to establish a fully
funded coordination hub including consultants to help in developing key asks
and media toolkit. This will manage regular virtual calls for updates and intel
v
Civil society need to develop and insist on
modalities for member states to attend COP 29 with the CSO, media persons and
CSO as part of the delegation
v
Civil society need to ask all member states to
go to COP 29 with an offer of fair share contribution on what they are prepared
to do as a country and not empty handed
v
The coalition calls on parties to ensure
"that adaptation and resilience-building are at the heart of
climate-vulnerable African economies."
v
No one should be left behind representation
should come from community, governments and development partners to
"implement best practices, innovations and technologies in an inclusive
manner that involves farmers and local communities, especially women and young
people, in an approach that combines scientific and traditional knowledge
without harming biodiversity or compromising the resilience of society.
v
Key asks: African economies should not be
measured by GDP; we should assess Africa's wealth on the basis of its natural
capita. Its immense mineral, forestry and renewable energy resources should all
be taken into account
v
Civil societies should ask for the removal of
barriers to communities' access to climate finance.
v
Civil society should be represented at the negotiation
table to gather intel and help modify key asks and calls to action. This will
also help shape the media campaigns
v
Civil society should call on multinationals for
funding support to attend Cop 29
Climate Change: Limiting Global Warming to 1.5 Degrees
Parvana Valiyeva (Azerbaijan) elaborated on the concept of climate change and global warming, attributing them to human activities since the industrial era. She emphasized the critical importance of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees, as per the Paris Climate Agreement, and called for a transition from fossil fuels to green energy. She proposed that developed countries should pay 1% of their GNP as climate finance to assist developing countries in their adaptation plans. Parvana Valiyeva (Azerbaijan) also highlighted the need for the GCSCCC’s strong advocacy to expand civil society participation in international climate change negotiations and to prepare strong indices for 2024 to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. She emphasized the importance of adopting a human rights approach to managing and facing climate change and mentioned Azerbaijan's upcoming hosting of the 2024 UN Climate Conference.
Conference, Climate Change, and Land Rights
The meeting discussed the upcoming Conference in Azerbaijan, with Parvana Valiyeva (Azerbaijan) announcing the location and details to be shared on the official website. The conversation also focused on climate change, with Qhawekazi Thengwa (South Africa) emphasizing the importance of integrating rural areas' experiences and African perspectives in strategizing responses. Peter raised a question about how small organizations can generate income while contributing to carbon sequestration. Myra brought attention to the issue of indigenous and traditional peoples losing their land rights and emphasized the need to ensure the distribution of funds for habitat restoration does not infringe on their rights. The Chair noted that responses regarding investments would be reported on in due course.
Climate Change and Marginalized Communities
Balkhisa discussed the challenges faced by marginalized and vulnerable communities, particularly about climate change, lack of resources, and discrimination. She emphasized the need to ensure these communities' rights are recognized and protected and asked how they can be integrated into society.
The Steering Council of the GCSCCC
The Chair then moved the discussion to the outstanding nominations into the Steering Council of the GCSCCC, noting the Secretariat had received 36 nominations from all continents. To ensure gender balance and regional representation, he suggested selecting an equal number of men and women from each continent, and this was approved.
The following are the members of the Steering Council of the GCSCCC as approved at this meeting, with:
1. Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, Male, Nigeria; as the Chair
2. Dr. Hussein Abdel Fattah Qassem, Male, Egypt (member)
3. Naomi Nancy Nakhumicha, Female, Kenya (member)
4. Andrea E. Davis, Female, USA (member)
5. Americas: ……….., Male, ….. (member)
6. Nivedita Kurade, Female, India (member)
7. Balqiaz Khan Marwat, Male, Pakistan (member)
8. Yolanda Paul, Female, Jamaica (member)
9. CAPO: ……….., Male, ….. (member)
10. Professor Charlotte McArdle, Female, UK (member)
11. Europe: ……….., Male, ….. (member)
The Meeting mandated the Chair of the SC to make consultations and fill the vacant seats for The Americas (Male), CAPO (Male) and Europe (Male) as soon as possible.
The meeting also mandated the SC to continue with its functions/activities immediately, using the above 8 members out of the 11 members.
Empowering Women Farmers and Environmental Restoration
Balkhisa from the Barakar Cliff Organization in Kenya shared their initiatives to assist young farmers, especially women from marginalized and indigenous communities, by providing cash for crops, training, and support for soil type identification and water sanitation. They also train women in sewing and entrepreneurship to foster self-reliance. Elchin from Azerbaijan highlighted the damage caused to their environment by war and shared their plans to restore it. The meeting primarily focused on the formation of technical working groups to address various issues, including climate change, health, and resource mobilization. Several suggestions were made and will be reviewed by the standing committee. The next meeting was scheduled for April 2nd, with general meetings to be held every first Tuesday of the month. The GCSCCC Chair was praised for conducting an efficient and productive meeting. The meeting also included a request from the Chair of the GCSCCC Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, for participants to open their cameras for a photo session and a discussion about setting up technical working committees within the period of the next meeting.
Members in Actions
1. Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje of Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) informed the Consortium that the AHOA global Network is sending a Solidarity Statement to the COP29 Baku Presidency, which he shared at the session and invited interested stakeholders to consider supporting the letter.
2. A member reported working with/for a group of Liberians on Land Restoration. “Our pieces of land are dying so we want to work with communities to see how we can restore their land- lots of women involve in gardening are migrating to far places in search of land that have water to make garden- any experience on how we can assist them restore their land. We have no experience so we need any help”
3. Bernice Kaleve from Wote youth development project-kenya report to have started a small initiative on the collection of cow dung and using it for biogas. “I collect from neighbors. If it's successful, we will help in sourcing for funds to do the structures. This will in turn reduce the methane emissions and reduce cutting trees as a source of energy. We are also actively involved in the restoration of the catchment and riparian areas..by planting friendly trees.”
Next steps
• Peter Owiti will send his notes to the Chair of the GCSCCC Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje for wider distribution.
• Parvana Valiyeva (Azerbaijan) will submit a strategy for COP29 to the COP 29 Secretariat and Presidency.
• Set up technical working groups for climate change, adaptation, data collection, resource mobilization, commission, advocacy, gender, and nutrition.
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