Rethinking Climate Change Governance

1. Rethinking Climate Change Governance John Drexhage Director, Climate Change and Energy IISD Side Event December 5, 2010

2. International Climate Change Governance • CC governance implies a deliberate effort to adjust structures and processes to promote effective and efficient mitigation and adaptation. • Myriad of institutions and organizations involved, range of actors, various sectors impacts, and a complex issue • UNFCCC at the core of governance • Very much a negotiating system • But with no legally-binding agreement in sight, will need to shift to implementation and more emphasis on sustainable energy, technology, climate resiliency, capacity building

3. Policy Linkages • UNFCCC shown strong leadership and effective in launching new institutions: e.g., CDM, Adaptation Funds, REDD, NAMAs • Proliferation of actors, agendas and activities • Extremely difficult to separate CC from other sectors and institutions • CC the de facto proxy for the implementation of SD goals • What is the best role for the UNFCCC as greater emphasis is placed on implementation? • What are possible ways to link the various policy priorities that impact climate change, but cannot be addressed in one negotiation (e.g., poverty alleviation, trade, food security)?

4. Role of Nation-States • Obstacle to progress – negotiation overpowers forums for implementing activities • Departments responsible for negotiation at international level may not play large role in implementation • Burden on developing countries to meet institutional requirements of many bodies • Divide between developed and developing countries; various perspectives within each grouping • How can the various needs and interests of countries be reflected without paralyzing the negotiating process?

5. Non-State Actors • Private sector, civil society and subnational governments play increasingly important role in CC policy, implementation, and capacity building • Knowledge and expertise will be needed to make large emission reductions and bolster climate resiliency • Private sector expected to channel large amounts of financing and investment if CC efforts are to be successful • What is the best way to create space for non-state actors in the climate change system? • Can the UNFCCC take steps to formalize mechanisms to encourage these partnerships?

6. Resource Use • Concerns about a proliferation of financing instruments inside and outside UNFCCC process • Different views on management of funds – using existing institutions, under authority of COP • Improved oversight of financing needed, as well as management of financial support on-the-ground, including disbursement and utilization • What are the most efficient processes and institutions for managing climate funding? What role should be played by the UNFCCC?

7. Discussion Questions • What is the best role for the UNFCCC as greater emphasis is placed on implementation? • What are possible ways to link the various policy priorities that impact climate change, but cannot be addressed in one negotiation (e.g., poverty alleviation, trade, food security)? • How can the various needs and interests of countries be reflected without paralyzing the negotiating process? • What is the best way to create space for non-state actors in the climate change system? • Can the UNFCCC take steps to formalize mechanisms to encourage these partnerships? • What are the most efficient processes and institutions for managing climate funding? What role should be played by the UNFCCC?

8. Rethinking Climate Change Governance •  IISD Side Event • Facilitator: Franz Tattenbach, President and Chief Executive Officer, IISD • Panel Members: • John Drexhage, Director, Climate Change & Energy, IISD • Michael Grubb, Chair, Climate Strategies • Suzana Kahn Ribeiro, Professor, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro • Ambassador Lumumba Di-Aping, Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Sudan (previously Chief Negotiator for the G-77 and China) • Fernado Tudela, Vice Minister for Planning and Environmental Policy and Principal Negotiator on Climate Change Issues in Mexico