Transcript Document
The Role of Business in Building Consensus in the lead up to COP17/CMP7 NATIONAL CONSULTATIVE SEMINAR ON CLIMATE CHANGE 28th October 2011 THE BUSINESS COMMITMENT • Business commitment to support Government in the lead up to and at COP17/CMP7 • Programme to build understanding within SA Business • Support through engagement in international debates with international business, including African business • Support in showcasing South African mitigation and adaptation actions • Business Pavilion at COP and COP programme • Individual companies respond to requests for support BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP • BUSA and NBI agree to cooperate around COP 17 Programme (March 2011) • CEO Forum formed as body of Chief Executives to provide a public face to the business initiative – Co Chairs Eskom, Sasol and Impala Platinum, with over 40 companies across all sectors participating in events • Agreement between all participating organisations to partner and work with World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – official business observer organisations at COP • Individuals in negotiating team under government mandate 3 LEAD UP PROGRAMME • Programme to build awareness and understanding of content of international negotiations and UNFCCC processes • NBI runs seminar series led by negotiators • CEOs engage at Ministerial and DG level, participation in consultative processes • BUSA engagement around national policy process and consultations on international positions • Partnerships with NGOs and others – UNDP in relation to African business, WESSA and ICLEI on climate solutions, WWF on key negotiating debates 4 KEY NEGOTIATING ISSUES FOR BUSINESS • Business support for efforts to secure Second Commitment Period. Critical for continuity of carbon market. SA companies actively involved in carbon financing in Africa and internationally, also CDM portfolio • Support for establishment of Green Climate Fund and engagement with Transitional Committee • Technology mechanism – support for Government in ensuring that mechanism is established and supports flow of R+D and tech innovations • Adaptation key business risk issue and central to Africa • Support for market mechanism negotiations • A balanced mitigation and MRV outcome 5 BUSINESS INVOLVEMENT AT COP • Business pavilion in CCR Expo • Around 35 companies and business organisations exhibiting • Showcasing SA Business action to combat climate change • Adaptation and mitigation issues highlighted • Sectors exhibiting include finance, retail, insurance, mining, renewable energy, liquid fuels etc • Also showcasing of climate innovators – transport, energy 6 BUSINESS EVENTS AT COP • Programme of events from middle of first to middle of second week • Content includes agriculture, food security, water, insurance, climate finance, carbon markets, clean energy investments, energy efficiency, new coal technologies, and also programme on mobility • Global Business Day on 5th December – afternoon session focuses on South Africa and run by SA business • Carbon Disclosure Programme results for 2011 to be launched on Dec 6th • High level networking cocktail function on 6th Dec • Also other business conferences and events 7 RESULTS OF BUSINESS ACTION • COP programme has built business understanding of climate issue in general and international negotiations in particular • Mobilised business leadership around the issue and in support of Government • Mobilised interest in taking forward climate action beyond COP • Created platform for showcasing innovation • Built partnerships with stakeholders in other sectors • Creates basis for business action and engagement around climate change into the future 8 •THANK YOU FOR LISTENING 9