Climate Dialogues

 

Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) were scheduled to meet in Glasgow, United Kingdom (UK) in November 2020 for the Twenty Sixth Conference of Parties (COP 26). However, due to the global health pandemic as a result of COVID-19, face to face meeting was not possible, and COP 26 was postponed to 2021.

In order to maintain momentum and facilitate dialogue on ongoing and emerging issues, the UNFCCC convened a series of virtual events known as the Climate Dialogues during the period November 23 to December 4, 2020. The events utilised a virtual conference centre set up specifically for this purpose.

The Climate Dialogues were conducted under the guidance of the Chilean Presidency of COP 25 and the incoming United Kingdom (UK) Presidency of COP 26, as well as the Chairs of the Subsidiary Bodies i.e., the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA). Sixty events on various topics were convened with nearly 8,000 people (Party Delegates, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Media and other Observers) participating virtually. Although, it was agreed that no formal negotiations or decision making would take place, several events were not broadcasted and only included nominated party delegates on outstanding negotiation issues such as common time frames for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on market and non-market mechanisms.

Mr. Kishan Kumarsingh, Head, Multilateral Environmental Agreements Unit, Ministry of Planning and Development, and Ms. Sindy Singh, Climate Change Specialist, Multilateral Environmental Agreements Unit, Ministry of Planning and Development participated on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Parties discussed, and in many cases repeated their positions on outstanding negotiation issues. However, there were significant learning opportunities through events facilitating discussion on cross cutting areas such Oceans and Climate Change, land issues and climate change adaptation, and biodiversity and climate change.  

Parties also reflected on the work and achievements of the Technical Examination Process (TEP), both on mitigation and adaptation, and on the Nairobi Work Programme (NWP). It was summarized across multiple fora that these processes engage stakeholders, both Party and non-Party, in a meaningful way to on various topics and often facilitates expert driven discussion and knowledge products.

In conclusion it was noted that despite the challenges brought on/ exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Trinidad and Tobago should continue to undertake nationally appropriate and ambitious climate action, in light of increasing scientific evidence of climate change and associated impacts.