nrg4sd - Wrap-up Edition COP21

Network of Regional Governments for December 2015Sustainable Development at COP21Wrap-up EditionFrom 29 November to 12 of December, the Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development – nrg4SD, and leaders ofseveral subnational governments gathered at the twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris, to deliver astrong message from regions and ensure its recognition and support in the much awaited Paris Agreement.The Paris Climate Change Conference brought together over 36,000 participants, nearly 23,100 government officials, 9,400representatives from UN bodies and agencies, intergovernmental organizations and civil society organizations, and 3,700 members ofthe media. During those days, we witnessed an incredible mobilization of nrg4SD members at different opportunities, sharing bestpractices, promoting multi-level engagement, advocating at negotiations and taking up new for more ambitious actions in the new eraafter Paris.The year 2015, as expected, has become a landmark in the history of international relations. In addition to the climate agreementestablished in Paris, the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including its Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs), and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on financing for development, proved it is possible to mobilize the world for thetransformation we need.Paris Agreement on the Preamble the agreement affirms the the LPAA was responsible for a series of importance of cooperation with cities and daily thematic focus events, including theAfter an intense schedule of negotiations, subnational governments. As Cities and Subnationals day, on Decemberwhich scaled up throughout the non-Party-stakeholders, subnational 8th, where nrg4SD, other networks, andConference, it was celebrated the governments are referred to as actors to local and regional governments endorsedestablishment of the legally-binding Paris reduce emissions and build resilience to an action statement and the 5-year visionclimate agreement. The text overcame climate change effects (§ 134-137). to take action on climate change.traditional conflicts of differentiated Likewise, it is repeatedly expressed the With that in mind, the LPAA is defining theresponsibilities, and all Parties committed relevance of promoting capacity-building best modalities to continue with itsto keep global warming “well below 2°C opportunities at the subnational level (§ activities, strengthening theabove pre-industrial levels and to pursue 74, items d and g). representativeness and engagement ofefforts to limit the temperature increase to non-Party stakeholders, with a focus on1.5°C above pre-industrial levels”. Lima-Paris Action Agenda cities and regions. At this moment, it is (LPAA) understood the LPAA will continue as aAlthough much still needs to be defined in platform for the follow-up, review andorder to ensure concrete implementation, Established in Lima as an effort from COP exchange of best-practices on the manythe agreement has set the basis for a 20 and 21 presidencies to create a initiatives being implemented bystrengthened multilateral framework. For mechanism for input and coordination with subnational governments. Especially, itexample, the mandatory review of non-Party stakeholders, the LPAA was should be reminded the strong links withNationally Determined Contributions consolidated as an important platform to the Non-State Actor Zone for Climate(NDC’s) every 5 years will ensure raise pre-2020 ambition based on Action platform (NAZCA), as an online toolcontinued efforts and pursue for increased participatory principles. During the COP21, to amplify dissemination of knowledge andambition. existing efforts.Particularly, we would like to highlight therecognition of regional governments, andespecially the need to take action on theground, at the subnational level. Already

Summary of nrg4SD activities“From the WSCT to the COP21 and importance of improving coordination the Governor’s Climate and Forests Taskbeyond: proposals and common and cooperation among all levels of Force (GCF) showcased cases likedynamics of the non-state actors”, on government, and reinforcing coherence Barraginhas from Tocantins, MakaDecember 2nd, non-Party stakeholders and mutual support between non-state reforestation from Gossas, and the carbondiscussed about the negotiation actors involved in the fight against market experience in Quebec. Copies ofprocesses proposals and perspectives, climate change. See more: “Inspiring Subnational Climate Action –building on the 10 thematic workshops http://bit.ly/1PeqDfm Cases and lessons from regionalthat took place during the World Summit On December 3rd, continuing the governments” were distributed at the event.on Climate and Territories, in Lyon in July exchange of knowledge and experiences The publication consists of a compilation of2015. at COP21, 10 subnational governments case studies produced by nrg4SD innrg4SD and the Fédération Nationale des exposed their best practices on climate collaboration with the United RegionsAgences d’Urbanisme (FNAU), building adaptation at the event “Beyond Paris – Association (ORU-FOGAR). The caseson its partnership at the Lyon Summit, Inspiring Subnational Climate Action and included in this compilation provideemphasized territorial planning as a Implementation on the Ground”. The innovative and ambitious climate solutionsstrategic tool and participatory process side-event, co-organised by nrg4SD and that have proven to be efficient at thefor the definition and implementation of subnational level. See more:policies on the ground. As a concrete http://bit.ly/1lYigZOexample, it was emphasized thecompilation of case-studies “InspiringAction for Urban and Regional Planning”.The organisers of the event announcedthe meeting Climate Chance - ClimateActors World Summit, to take place inNantes-France, September 26-28, 2016.This global summit will highlight the Also on December 3rd, leaders of regional governments gathered at the Maison de l'Europe in Paris, to sign the first global commitment to support and report efforts on adaptation actions at the subnational level, the RegionsAdapt. Initiated by the governments of Rio de Janeiro and Catalonia, the initiative sets a collaborative framework for the adoption and review of adaptation plans, the prioritization of concrete actions, as well as reporting data through the Compact of States and Regions. nrg4SD will act as the Secretariat of the initiative, with the support of The Climate Group as an implementation partner. The launch of RegionsAdapt gathered 27 founding regions from all continents, with 17 from the Global South, and all accounting for over 200 million inhabitants. See more: http://bit.ly/1Nf3Bzj

On December 4th, took place the Climate Summit for Local Leaders, hosted by the Key dates for nrg4SD engagement in 2016Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, together with the UN Special Envoy for Climate and Cities, MARCHMichael Bloomberg. This event brought together local and subnational leaders, such as 14-19 February, UNEP Headquarters, Nairobi,Mayors, Premiers, Governors and Ministers of state and regional governments and Kenya, Second Open-ended Meeting of theaimed at putting forward a common message for negotiators, requesting their Committee of Permanent Representativesappropriate inclusion and collaboration in the global climate regime. (OECPR) – United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP/UNEA)Alongside the Climate Summit for Local Leaders, a group of regional leaders had the MARCHopportunity to share views and ideas with the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon. A few 5 March, Cardiff, International Seminar on Greennrg4SD members - São Paulo, Sud Comoé, Quebec, Rio de Janeiro, Tombouctou and GrowthRhone-Alpes joined this meeting. During 8-11 March, New York, SDGs: U.N. Statisticalthe meeting, Premier Weatherill, from Commission finalizes indicatorsSouth Australia, and Secretary Correa, APRILfrom Rio de Janeiro, highlighted the 1 April, Deadline for submitting accreditationimportance of the RegionsAdapt initiative applications for Habitat III Preparatoryand called for further support from the Committee, third session (PrepCom 3)UN system to carry on actions on the 11-12 April, UN Headquarters New York, UNGAground. Accordingly, the Secretary High-level Thematic Debate: ImplementingGeneral recognized the key role played by Commitments on Sustainable Development,regions and the relevance of bringing Climate Change and Financingthem on board to achieve the 14-15 April, Rio de Janeiro, World Summit oftransformative change the world needs, Regions ORU-Fogarand agreed to increase the support to MAYinitiatives such as the RegionsAdapt. 2 May, Deadline for submitting accreditationStill part of the agenda of regional applications for Habitat III conferencegovernments at the COP21, nrg4SD and The Climate Group held on December 7th the 16-26 May, UNFCCC First sessional periodofficial side-event ¨Driving Climate Action through the Compact of States and Regions 23-27 May, UNEP Headquarters, Nairobi, Kenya,and the Under2MOU¨. Second Meeting of the UN Environment Assembly - UNEAThe event brought different high-level representatives from states and regions to JULYshowcase aspirational efforts and opportunities, as well as the challenges for climate 6-8 July, Bonn, Germany, ICLEI Resilient Citiesaction in territories. Particularly, regions highlighted the importance of reporting 11-20 July, New York, High Level Political Forummechanisms and data submitted to the Compact of States and Regions. At the 2016 (under the auspices of ECOSOC)opportunity, the first Compact of States and Regions Disclosure Report was launched, 18-22 July, New York, ECOSOC High-levelan assessment of the aggregated global data collected by the initiative. See more: segment: The Theme \"Implementing thehttp://bit.ly/1lXN8Kn post-2015 development agenda: moving from commitments to results\"On December 6th, nrg4SD organised a Catalonia, Wales, Rio de Janeiro, São 25-27 July, Surabaya, Indonesia, Third meetingmembers lunch meeting. This informal Paulo, Goiás, Fatick, Tombouctou, of the Habitat III Preparatory Committeegathering took place outside the Western Province, Québec, Lombardia, (PrepCom 3)boundaries of Le Bourget, and counted Minas Gerais, and La Réunion. SEPTEMBERwith the participation of 13 members: The meeting promoted a dialog between 1-10 September, IUCN World Conservation regions, and a discussion of activities and Congress 2016 impressions about COP21. During the 13-26 September, UN Headquarters, New York, meeting, members were invited to 71st Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA comment on the networks’ operation and 71) suggest improvements. Representatives 26-28 September, Nantes, France, Climate from Prince Edward Island attended the Change -World Summit on Climate Action end of the meeting to sign the OCTOBER RegionsAdapt commitment. 3-5 October (tbc) Barcelona, 2016 nrg4SD General AssemblyAfter a very busy year of many activities and challenges, we would like to recognize 17-20 October, Habitat III conferenceand congratulate all nrg4SD members for their hard work and contributions along NOVEMBER2015 to what finally has turned to be the successful achievement of an 7-18 November, Marrakesh, Morocco, UNFCCCinternationally binding agreement on climate action. COP22We have an exciting path to reach more sustainable territories across the world DECEMBERand more inclusive global decision making. 4-17 December, Cancun, Mexico, CBD COP 13,For any questions or suggestions, don’t hesitate to contact us. COP-MOP 8 to the Cartagena Protocol onFor more information, please check our website: www.nrg4sd.org Biosafety and COP-MOP 2 to the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing