Developing countries led by the G77 and China stressed that the shared vision must have equity and development at its heart, and must reflect an integrated treatment of all issues, not just a global emissions reduction goal. 

 

The G77 and China stated that “at the heart of shared vision was the pursuit of justice, equity and the development of developing countries in the context of climate change through the full, effective and sustained implementation of the UNFCCC by means of the Bali Action Plan (BAP).”

 

Stressing that the shared vision is more than a long-term emission reductions goal, the G77 said it must reflect an integrated set of goals encompassing adaptation, mitigation, finance, technology transfer and capacity-building. It remarked that the Chair's text emphasised the emissions goal and neglected the other goals and called for the imbalance to be corrected.

 

The group said the definition of the global emission reductions goal must be on the basis of an equitable and fair burden-sharing paradigm, pathway, or framework based on historical emissions, with developed countries taking the lead. Many developing countries also stressed the need to include an equitable framework for sharing the atmospheric space.

 

The G77 and many developing countries also emphasized the shared vision should include the need to avoid climate-related trade protectionist measures.

 

Several developed countries on the other hand including the European Union and New Zealand wanted the shared vision's focus to be only on the long-term emissions reductions goal. Many developed countries, led by the United States also wanted the Copenhagen Accord to be made operational.

 

The Chair of the AWG-LCA, Margaret Mukahana Sangarwe of Zimbabwe posed the following questions for Parties to consider - is the scope of the preamble of the Chair’s text appropriate; should a shared vision be articulated for each of the BAP building blocks and, if so, how; how should a long-term global goal for emission reductions be expressed; how should overall progress in implementation, including the long-term global goal for emission reductions, be reviewed?

 

Philippines, speaking for the G77 and China said that the shared vision must reflect the integrated and balanced treatment of all BAP building blocks with the objective of ensuring the full, effective and sustained implementation of the UNFCCC. The shared vision should thus be presented in a manner in which all the BAP elements are set out in a coherent and integrated manner.

 

The G77 said the current text on shared vision emphasizes the long-term global goal relating to emissions reductions and failed to adequately address the other long-term goals that are integral elements in the BAP i.e. long-term goals on adaptation, financing, technology, capacity-building. This imbalance must be redressed.

 

The group said that the preamble should set out the climate science, economic, social, and policy framework and context in which long-term cooperative action on climate change take place. It establishes the tone, gives colour, context and shading, describes the bigger picture, and forms an integral part for the operative parts that follow.

 

The Group said that the preamble must be concise but comprehensive, identifying and expressing the key concepts on all the BAP building blocks (not just for shared vision). The preamble must establish an organic link between the context and framework and the operational parts.

 

Philippines said that the preambular paragraphs of the Chair’s facilitating text on shared vision reflected many concepts that the G77 and China support, such as stressing the mandate as being pursuant to the BAP; the principles, provisions and commitments set forth in the UNFCCC, including common but differentiated responsibility; the importance and ongoing role of the Kyoto Protocol ; recognition of economic and social development and poverty eradication as first and overriding priorities of developing countries; participation and engagement of stakeholders.

 

It said that the following concepts need to be included or further stressed in the preamble viz. integrated and balanced treatment of all BAP building blocks; the concept of the historical responsibility of developed countries translated into their specific responsibilities for mitigation, adaptation and the provision of finance, technology transfer and capacity building support to developing countries; concepts of justice, equity and fair burden-sharing based on historical emissions, with developed countries taking the lead in undertaking emission reductions and in providing enabling support (finance, technology, capacity building) to developing countries; concept of “enablement” i.e. that enhancing the contributions of developing countries to addressing climate change depends on effective implementation of Article 4.7 UNFCCC in relation to the provision of enabling support measures (finance and technology) by developed countries; the right to survival and territorial integrity and the right to development and equity of all nations and peoples; ensuring a just transition for the workforce to ensure job protection and create decent work and quality jobs in the context of climate change; the important role of food production systems to safeguard food security in the context of climate change; articulation of the rights of Mother Earth and all her natural beings; the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and other stakeholders; and the importance of avoiding climate-related trade protectionist measures.

 

On the question if a shared vision must be articulated for each of the building blocks, the Group said that at the heart of shared vision was the pursuit of justice, equity and the development of developing countries in the context of climate change through the full, effective and sustained implementation of the UNFCCC by means of the BAP. The coherent, integrated and balanced treatment of the BAP building blocks must be clearly expressed. Each building block of the BAP must have a corresponding long-term goal clearly articulated in shared vision based on the outcomes agreed to in the substantive operational parts. Each global goal for each building block in the shared vision must be articulated in operational substantive language.

 

The concept of avoidance of climate-related trade protectionist measures must also be expressed and clearly articulated in operational terms, it said.

 

On how a long-term global goal for emission reductions should be expressed, the group said   this goal cannot be reduced to just a number. It must be referenced to the objective and principles of the UNFCCC so as to ensure that it responds to and addresses climate change challenges for all Parties, in particular developing countries, in a comprehensive and inclusive manner.

 

The G77 said that the definition of the global emission reductions goal must be on the basis of an equitable and fair burden-sharing paradigm, pathway, or framework based on historical emissions, under which the leadership on emission reductions that needs to shown by Annex I Parties must be clearly demonstrated and expressed.

 

This goal, reflecting such equitable and fair burden-sharing based on historical emissions and integrated with the provision of enabling support measures to developing countries by developed countries, must be expressed as a substantive provision that expresses commitments with respect to, among others, a maximum global temperature increase goal and a long-term emission reductions goal. The implications of delay by Annex I Parties in complying with their commitments and the need for and costs of adaptation need to be articulated.

 

On how the overall progress in implementation, including the long-term global goal for emission reductions, be reviewed, the Group said that the concept of “review” needs to be linked to the concept of being able to review the adequacy and effectiveness of compliance by Annex I Parties with their commitments to cut their emissions and for Annex II Parties to provide enabling support to developing countries under the UNFCCC. (Annex II Parties are those developed countries that were OECD members in 1992).

 

While all Parties have a role and obligations under the UNFCCC, developed country Parties have specific obligations not only with respect to their mitigation commitments but also with respect to assisting non-Annex I Parties through finance and technology transfer.

 

The issue of compliance by developed countries with respect to their mitigation obligations and their financing and technology transfer obligations is fundamental to achieving the objective of the BAP and the UNFCCC. The adequacy and effectiveness of such compliance by Annex I Parties must hence be the subject of the review.

 

Uganda for the LDCs said that the Chair’s text did not follow the BAP and lacks elements important to LDCs. The shared vision must focus on enhancing action in implementation of the Convention and not deviate from the BAP. It stressed the need to give equal attention to adaptation and mitigation. The issue of vulnerability was emphasised and it said that this should not be up for negotiation. It called early stabilization of GHGs, and for temperature level to be well below 1.5 degree C. It said that the review must be of the adequacy of commitments and there was need for a compliance mechanism. 

 

South Africa for the African Group commented on the structure of the text and said that there was lack of conceptual clarity in its chapter 1. It said that the scope of the preamble depends on the legal form of the outcome. It was necessary for the shared vision to reflect each of the building blocks of the BAP. It said that the global goal is more than a mere number. 

 

Antigua and Barbuda speaking for the AOSIS said that long –term global goal for emissions reductions must reflect a group of numbers linked to temperature, peaking time, the concept of stabilization of the atmosphere, and a mid-term goal for Annex 1 Parties with 1990 as the base year. The review should be to assess the long-term goal of the adequacy of the targets and should be every 5 years., based on the best available science and include observed impacts of climate change on small islands. The outcome should be a trigger to ratcheting up the goal.

 

New Zealand said that the shared vision should not replicate the building blocks of the BAP and that the long-term global goal is about emission reductions. 

 

The United States said that integrated approach taken in chapter 1 of the text is good. It wanted the elements of the Copenhagen Accord to be operational. The preamble should at a minimum reaffirm the principles of the Convention, which also evolves as the world changes. There was no need to re-interpret them. It was important to reflect the evolving nature of economies. It agreed with the G77 and China that the idea of a just transition and sub-national efforts are reflected. The long-term global goal should reflect what political leaders agreed to (under the Copenhagen Accord) which was a 2 degree C goal to inspire action. It supported the need to review of the goal and that it should be periodical.

 

Indiareaffirmed that the shared vision must reflect consistency with the BAP with balanced treatment of all the BAP building blocks. The global goal for long-term action must have a fair burden-sharing paradigm of the global atmospheric space as well as the challenges for developing countries. The collaborative effort must safeguard against the emergence of protectionist tendencies, which would weaken the sustainable growth of developing countries.

 

Japan said that the shared vision should deliver a concise vision, where actions are reflected collectively as a global community. It said that the world is not divided sharply. There is no need to add too many elements in the text regarding shared vision. Parties should adopt a fair and effective single legal framework based on the Copenhagen Accord. It also called for the reflection of the 2 degree C temperature limit goal, which can be reviewed in the future and the reduction of global emissions by 50% by 2050.

 

Australiasaid that the shared vision is a clear and concise roadmap reflecting the aspiration of the global community and that the Copenhagen Accord provides excellent guidance with a temperature level of well below 2 degree C which must peak as soon as possible. The structure of the text should guide a durable and transparent legally-binding framework with a common mitigation architecture. 

 

Spain for the European Union said that the preamble should strike a balance between Parties. It should be guided by a 2 degree C temperature limit goal, which needs to be operationalised. It should reflect global peaking by 2020 and a global emissions reduction of 50% by 2050 based on 1990 levels and a reduction of between 80-95% by 2050 for developed countries. It did not see the need for a shared vision for every building block of the BAP. There should be a review commencing in 2015, which is built on science and is of the adequacy of the targets and actions, including the temperature rise of 1.5 degree C as in the Copenhagen Accord.

 

Boliviasaid that a shared vision is not simply about defining the limit on temperature increase. A shared vision must incorporate a comprehensive and balanced set of goals, in relation to finance, transfer of technology, adaptation, sharing of atmospheric space, climate debt, migrants forced by climate and the re-establishing harmony with Mother Earth. In order to give back to future generations a world as Parties had received it, the target should be to stabilize the temperature to 1 degree Celsius and with a GHG concentration level of 300 ppm as close as possible to the pre-industrial era.

 

 

 

China said that the shared vision is for the full and effective implementation of the Convention. The preamble should identify the key concepts with the elements of the BAP. The long-term global goal is not just about emissions reduction. It should be balanced with a long-term and medium term goal for developed countries' emission reductions. It must provide for equitable access to atmospheric resources for developing countries as well as finance and technology transfer. Trade protectionist measures must not be allowed. The review should be consistent with the provisions of the Convention and relate to the adequacy of efforts of Annex 1 Parties on emission reductions, finance, technology transfer and capacity-building support.

 

Pakistansaid that the scope of the preamble should reflect the principles of the Convention as well as a fair and equity-based framework. It should provide for the rejection of trade protectionist measures and recognise the right to development. The BAP building blocks should be in the shared vision. The basic goals to be achieved should include the long-term emissions reduction goal as well as a mid-term goal with a base line. Peaking of emissions for developing countries must be conditional, based on their level of development and emissions level threshold. The review of the adequacy of efforts must be based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibility

 

Brazilsaid that the shared vision must reflect the commitment of Parties to an open economic trading system and must avoid unjustified restrictions on trade. Singaporereflected similar views.

 

Switzerland for the Environmental Integrity Group (that includes Mexico and South-Korea) said that the shared vision should articulate the elements of the BAP, with clear long-term global goals and how the thematic areas will contribute to this. It also called for the 2 degree C temperature limit to be reflected.