Environment

BSR COP21 Daily Dispatch: Day 10

Dec 9, 2015 9:30 AM ET
Government ministers admire their <a href="http://newsroom.unfccc.int/unfccc-newsroom/seeds-of-the-future-how-cop21-apples-are-made/">COP21-illustrated apples</a>. Photo: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cop21/23559449866/in/photostream/">Arnaud Bouissou</a>

Editor’s Note

As ministers work to resolve the bracketed text of the climate agreement—that is, the parts of the document that are still under negotiation—it is time for the French Presidency to lead us forward. We are in good hands with COP21 President and French Minister of Affairs Laurent Fabius and his team, who have kept the negotiations moving and were able to secure the draft text on time on Saturday.

In a plenary address over the weekend, Fabius expressed his determination to continue this pace: “We’re talking about life itself,” he said. “I intend to muster the experience of my entire life to the service of success.”

Fabius’ efforts have received accolades from many, including former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, who declared: “Monsieur Fabius est incroyable!”

We have already achieved success here in France, with an unprecedented gathering of 150 heads of state here to discuss climate change, and massive crowds of 40,000 people participating in the talks and events.

BSR President and CEO Aron Cramer underlined the multi-sector nature of this year’s climate talks when speaking at the Sustainable Innovation Forum yesterday. Cramer said: “The French government deserves literally a world of praise for structuring COP21 in a way that includes non-state actors. There is a lot of debate around climate finance and public contribution, but the phrase ‘[US$]100 billion can unlock the trillions’ has become something that is widely accepted. It sounds like in the negotiations, private sector investment is getting more attention.”

Now is the time for us to support the COP21 French Presidency to ensure that Paris is the moment when business, government, and civil society align to tackle the climate challenge.

What's Important Now

  1. Business needs a clear, long-term goal well before the end of the century. It matters more that we get to zero as quickly as possible than what we call it.
  2. Business hears the voice of vulnerable populations. A five-year ambition mechanism that begins around 2020 is the only path to bringing 1.5°C into reach.
  3. Heads of government need to understand that the cost of mobilizing the US$100 billion is far outweighed by the benefits of the trillions of dollars that will be unlocked—and they need to mandate their ministers to secure an ambitious agreement.
  4. Business trusts the COP Presidency to secure an ambitious agreement. Other parties need to trust them as well. It’s time for the presidency to lead us forward.

BSR's Climate Insights

  1. Why Paris Is Not Another Copenhagen: Read more
  2. Let’s Support the COP21 French Presidency and a Strong Paris Agreement: Read more
  3. Midsession COP21 Report: What Happened in Week 1, Expectations for Week 2, and How Business Can Act: Read more
  4. Climate Change and Agriculture: Connecting Global Warming to Business Resilience: Read more
  5. Business Asks Climate Negotiators for Specific Text in Paris Agreement to Ensure Ambition: Read more

What We're Reading

Read the latest We Mean Business blogs:

  • Words Matter: Meaning Matters Most: Read more
  • Words Matter, Numbers Matter Even More: Read more
  • The We Mean Business “Business Brief”: Read more

And highlights from the latest COP21 media coverage:

  • France Moves at ‘Breakneck Speed’ to Get Paris Deal Done By End of Week | The Guardian | December 7, 2015: Read more
  • Companies Sign Up En Masse to ‘Science-Based’ Carbon Targets | Business Green | December 8, 2015: Read more
  • Businesses Urged to Help Communities Adapt to Climate Change | Thomson Reuters Foundation | December 7, 2015: Read more
  • Economists: Climate Change is Going to Cost a Lot More Than Previously Thought | The Washington Post | December 7, 2015: Read more
  • Where’s the Science? Businesses Aren’t Setting the Right Climate Targets to Make a Difference | The Guardian | December 8, 2015: Read more

Events

  • December 9, 6:30-8 p.m., Observer Room 12 at the Conference Center (Blue Zone) at Le Bourget

    BSR Managing Director Partnership Development and Research Edward Cameron will speak at the UNEP-Climate and Clean Air Coalition’s official side event on “Short-Lived Climate Pollutants,” which will highlight how reducing these emissions can result in economic, development, and health benefits. This event is open to anyone who has a badge for the Blue Zone.
     
  • December 16, 8-9 a.m. PST: “Road Through Paris Briefing: First Results from COP” webinar

    Join this webinar to hear from BSR’s COP21 delegation on initial takeaways from Paris, including insights on the diplomatic agreement, what the agreement means for business, what kind of business and investor commitments were announced at COP21, and the media coverage and narrative during the climate talks. For more information, visit: www.bsr.org/en/events/view/road-through-paris-briefing-first-results-from-cop21.

To get news and insights from Paris delivered to you each day during COP21, sign up for our daily dispatches.