Statement by AOSIS at SB42 Opening Plenary
Download PDFThank you very much Mr. Chairman,
The Maldives has the honor to speak on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States, a group of 44 countries extremely vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
Mr. Chairman, The recent findings of the 2013-2015 Review that was carried out by the COP with assistance from SBSTA and this body, underscore what communities on the frontlines of the climate change crisis have known for some time: that the so-called “guardrail”, where up to 2 °C of warming is considered safe is wholly inadequate. It also found that, while more science on the 1.5 °C warming limit is needed we should endeavor to push the defence line as low as possible. Furthermore, the SED concluded that limiting global warming to below 2 °C is still feasible and will bring about many co-benefits, but that the window for action is closing rapidly.
It is essential therefore that the actions we take are informed by the latest science, and the conclusions from the Review make it clear that we must scale up and deploy the solutions required to meet the 1.5 degrees goal in earnest.
Mr. Chairman, Finally, AOSIS’s is committed to improving the environmental integrity of the CDM. We need to establish confidence in it as an effective tool for realizing emissions reductions, and as a means for annex 1 parties to make more ambitious mitigation commitments in the near term. The better the tool, the greater the demand for CERS. We have also described the need to shorten crediting periods, calling for scrutiny of some project categories, and improving “additionality” requirements.
Furthermore, the CDM should be a net mitigation tool. In our view, the review represents an important opportunity to improve the CDM so that its contribution to net mitigation is unambiguous. In short, it must be able to deliver measurable net emission reductions. It must be more than an offsetting tool.
We must identify how net mitigation can be built into the system more firmly through various combinations of tools, including conservative baselines, discounting CERs upon issuance, shortened crediting periods and cancellations for the benefit of the environment. Success in this area will be crucial to helping CDM further contribute to mitigation ambition and to the Convention’s overall objective. Mr. Chairman, With respect to Agenda Item 6 b, there is room to improve the environmental integrity of JI. Progress is being made, showing it can work, and we look forward to continued engagement in this area, particularly with respect to ensuring that JI delivers a net atmospheric benefit through its operation.
As always we appreciate your leadership and stand ready to help achieve our shared goals.
Thank you.
____________________________