The Chanctonbury* Initiative
Chairs' summary of a conference at Wilton Park, 15-17 November 2003
Chairs' summary of a conference at Wilton Park, 15-17 November 2003
Towards a Community for Global Climate Protection
Climate Change is a global security issue which requires urgent and responsible leadership by countries North and South, to form a Global Climate Protection Community within the UNFCCC based on equal rights.
1.1 - The latest assessment of the International Panel on Climate Change shows that the danger of climate change is intensifying and accelerating.
1.2 - Without strong action, climate change could bring massive destruction, loss of life on earth and damage to ecosystems.
1.3 Climate Change should be recognized as a Global Security Issue and should be addressed with the utmost urgency by the international community.
2.1 Many scientists believe that greenhouse gas emissions must be cut by at least 60% by 2050 to satisfy the precautionary principle in order to arrest dangerous climate change.
2.2 - The Kyoto Protocol of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which has not yet entered into force, will only achieve a reduction of 2% of Annex 1 emissions, while global emissions are projected to rise by some 30% by 2012.
Therefore:
3.1 Urgent action is required to meet the objective of the UNFCCC.
3.2 This will not be effective unless based on the principles of precaution, equity, solidarity, sustainable livelihood and common but differentiated responsibility.
4. 1 European experience has shown that a community which starts with a core of states, ready and willing to take action and inspire other states to join them can create effective change.
4.2 - We therefore propose that those countries, North and South, with the necessary leadership, statesmanship and sense of responsibility should form a Community for Global Climate Protection (CGCP) and advance the implementation of the UNFCCC at an accelerated pace.
4.3 - This Community for Global Climate Protection (CGPC) would be founded by a group of states, North and the South, adopting a Protocol of Enhanced Cooperation as a bubble within the UN Framework Convention.
5. This Protocol would provide for:
1 contraction of global GHG emissions to a level that stabilises concentrations at an acceptable level;
2 convergence of GHG emissions entitlements to equal per person distribution within a specified timeframe;
3 a market in tradeable emissions entitlements;
4 attainment of sustainable livelihoods, through international cooperation, capacity
building and transfers of low carbon technologies, and adequate and predictable enabling resources; 5 mechanisms that are flexible, transparent and robust to achieve the above.
6. This North-South bubble within the UNFCCC would require institutions that:
· ensure effective decisions on policies and measures; respect democratic accountability and the rule of law; manage the emissions market; monitor and ensure compliance;
· agreements as paths to full membership.
take responsibility for relations with other Parties, including association
7.1 We call for an open dialogue in preparation for a political initiative by a balanced group of willing countries to take the lead in developing proposals by November 2005.
7.2 The member states of the CGCP would be taking a powerful step towards averting the greatest threat to the welfare and survival of humankind and other species. They would derive benefits, not only in leading the coming wave of technological development, but also in cultivating the practice of cooperation that is ever more essential for peace, prosperity and security in an increasingly interdependent world. They should be confident that others will join them until all the peoples of the United Nations enjoy these benefits.
Rungano Karimanzira & Tom Spencer, Joint Chairs, Conference on a Global Climate Community, Wilton Park, 15-17 November 2003
*Chanctonbury Ring is an ancient ring of trees near the conference centre, which were blown down by a hurricane in 1987. Young trees are now growing up - an apt symbol of the regenerative policies now required to arrest devastating climate change. Participants attended the conference in a personal capacity and not as representatives of their governments.
Action for a Global Climate Community, c/o One World Trust,
Climate Change is a global security issue which requires urgent and responsible leadership by countries North and South, to form a Global Climate Protection Community within the UNFCCC based on equal rights.
1.1 - The latest assessment of the International Panel on Climate Change shows that the danger of climate change is intensifying and accelerating.
1.2 - Without strong action, climate change could bring massive destruction, loss of life on earth and damage to ecosystems.
1.3 Climate Change should be recognized as a Global Security Issue and should be addressed with the utmost urgency by the international community.
2.1 Many scientists believe that greenhouse gas emissions must be cut by at least 60% by 2050 to satisfy the precautionary principle in order to arrest dangerous climate change.
2.2 - The Kyoto Protocol of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which has not yet entered into force, will only achieve a reduction of 2% of Annex 1 emissions, while global emissions are projected to rise by some 30% by 2012.
Therefore:
3.1 Urgent action is required to meet the objective of the UNFCCC.
3.2 This will not be effective unless based on the principles of precaution, equity, solidarity, sustainable livelihood and common but differentiated responsibility.
4. 1 European experience has shown that a community which starts with a core of states, ready and willing to take action and inspire other states to join them can create effective change.
4.2 - We therefore propose that those countries, North and South, with the necessary leadership, statesmanship and sense of responsibility should form a Community for Global Climate Protection (CGCP) and advance the implementation of the UNFCCC at an accelerated pace.
4.3 - This Community for Global Climate Protection (CGPC) would be founded by a group of states, North and the South, adopting a Protocol of Enhanced Cooperation as a bubble within the UN Framework Convention.
5. This Protocol would provide for:
1 contraction of global GHG emissions to a level that stabilises concentrations at an acceptable level;
2 convergence of GHG emissions entitlements to equal per person distribution within a specified timeframe;
3 a market in tradeable emissions entitlements;
4 attainment of sustainable livelihoods, through international cooperation, capacity
building and transfers of low carbon technologies, and adequate and predictable enabling resources; 5 mechanisms that are flexible, transparent and robust to achieve the above.
6. This North-South bubble within the UNFCCC would require institutions that:
· ensure effective decisions on policies and measures; respect democratic accountability and the rule of law; manage the emissions market; monitor and ensure compliance;
· agreements as paths to full membership.
take responsibility for relations with other Parties, including association
7.1 We call for an open dialogue in preparation for a political initiative by a balanced group of willing countries to take the lead in developing proposals by November 2005.
7.2 The member states of the CGCP would be taking a powerful step towards averting the greatest threat to the welfare and survival of humankind and other species. They would derive benefits, not only in leading the coming wave of technological development, but also in cultivating the practice of cooperation that is ever more essential for peace, prosperity and security in an increasingly interdependent world. They should be confident that others will join them until all the peoples of the United Nations enjoy these benefits.
Rungano Karimanzira & Tom Spencer, Joint Chairs, Conference on a Global Climate Community, Wilton Park, 15-17 November 2003
*Chanctonbury Ring is an ancient ring of trees near the conference centre, which were blown down by a hurricane in 1987. Young trees are now growing up - an apt symbol of the regenerative policies now required to arrest devastating climate change. Participants attended the conference in a personal capacity and not as representatives of their governments.
Action for a Global Climate Community, c/o One World Trust,