1 December 2010
With the help of our on the ground reporters, BIC and partners bring you updates from the ongoing climate negotiations at COP-16, with information on high-level government meetings, civil society initiatives, side events and more.
latest news
UN silences civil society protest in Cancun
The UN revoked the accreditation of several civil society representatives, admitting that it was a response to their participation in a peaceful protest in Cancun. Protestors that denounced the move were later aprehended by UN security and Mexican authorities.
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Sierra Club: Such a shame when the facts get in the way
The Sierra Club's Nicole G. writes from Cancun for the organization's Cancun Delegation blog, arguing if the World Bank "is serious about playing a role in climate finance, the Bank must revise its Energy Strategy to phase out fossil fuels and ensure energy access for the poor."
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Indigenous activists censored at Cancun climate talks
“I’m being censored for telling the truth about the climate fraud being concocted by the United Nations,” said Tom Goldtooth of the Indigenous Environmental Network, whose accreditation was revoked following his criticism of market-based schemes to reduce emissions.
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Oil Change International: Global Climate Fund in, World Bank out
Elizabeth Bast of Oil Change International reports from the COP-16, raising concerns around the World Bank positioning itself as the trustee for a new Global Climate Fund. In her blog posting, Bast questions "How can the World Bank effectively oversee climate finance funding while its energy portfolio continues to fuel the problem?"
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World Bank chief to launch carbon market fund
Friends of the Earth U.S.'s Karen Orenstein speaks to Reuters from Cancun, responding to news of the launch of the multi-million dollar World Bank fund to help emerging market countries set up carbon markets.
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CAN International: World Bank to coal: ‘I just can’t quit you!’
CAN International highlights inconsistencies between World Bank rhetoric and action when it comes to their energy lending portfolio and climate finance, arguing "if the World Bank believes it can credibly deliver climate finance, it must make a strong and credible commitment to clean up its act."
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Sierra Club: World Bank and climate finance: Kicking the coal addiction
The Sierra Club's Justin Guay blogs from the COP-16 in Cancun about the importance of the World Bank's energy lending strategy in the context of the institution's interest in playing a role in climate finance. He argues that "in order to credibly deliver climate finance...it is clear the institution must make a strong and credible commitment to clean up its act."
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Sierra Club: Our Orwellian nightmare: Coal's low carbon pitch
Mary Anne Hitt, Director of the Sierra Club Beyond Coal Campaign, and Justin Guay of the Sierra Club International Program blog from COP-16 in Cancun, highlighting "a fatal incoherency in energy sector lending that has enabled coal to pass itself off as a low carbon option for developing countries."
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Photo: Sierra Club
Opinions vary and obstacles persist
Blogging from Cancun, Mahabat Murzakanova highlights the obstacles to wide civil society participation and achievement of a diverse spectrum of viewpoints at the COP-16. Concerns around the representation of Southern voices, the possibility of a legally binding agreement and physical accessibility of the meeting spaces were raised.
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Climate Change Village
Mahabat Murzakanova describes the Climate Change Village outside the official schedule of events at COP-16 in Cancun.
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Press Advisory: Climate and Energy Finance: Funding transformation or propping up the past?
The COP-16 side event in Cancun on December 8, co-sponsored by BIC, Sierra Club, Oil Change International, Christian Aid, CIEL, Vasudha Foundation and groundWork will examine international energy public finance, the World Bank's Energy Strategy Review and its implications for climate finance architecture.
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A day of action: Making Southern voices heard
Day four of South-South Summit involved preparations for the December 3 day of action on climate finance and the World Bank. Many believe that the World Bank, while simultaneously financing large-scale fossil fuel projects, lacks the moral authority to manage the international climate funds.
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With each day, voices of dissent gain strength
Mahabat Murzakanova of Kyrgyzstan's Citizens Against Corruption blogs from Cancun on day 3 of the South-South Summit on Climate Justice and Finance. In today's blog post, Mahabat highlights lingering concerns around mitigation and finance, as well as indigenous rights with regard to the carbon trade.
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Press Advisory: COP-16, Climate Finance and the World Bank Energy Strategy
The World Bank has indicated that it would like to play a central role in the management of international climate funds under discussion as part of the UNFCCC at COP-16, however the Bank’s record of fossil fuel investments suggest that, despite its rhetoric on climate change, the institution is not serious about the climate impacts of its own investment portfolio.
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Rough discussions continued
Mahabat Murzakanova of Citizens Against Corruption, Kyrgyzstan blogs about her experiences in Cancun for day two of the South-South Summit on Financial Justice and Finance. Continuing the previous day's work, discussants highlighted both their agreements and disagreements on the Global South's place in climate change, and what its role going forward should be.
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South-South Summit on Climate Justice and Finance begins
The South-South Summit on Climate Justice and Finance started today. Organized by Jubilee South and PACJA (Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance), with support of BIC (Bank Information Center) and GGF (Global Greengrants Fund), around 40 people from Asia, Latin America/Caribbean and Africa are in attendance. The goals of the summit are development of a common assessment and analysis of the status of the UNFCCC negotiations, exchange of ideas, as well as the development of a common and united position of the Southern climate movement.
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