COP 24 delivered Katowice Climate Package, a “rule book” for the Paris Agreement, completing the work on the Paris Agreement Work Programme (PAWP) and raising ambition. In the Katowice Climate Package, Parties agreed on mitigation (Nationally Determined Contributions- NDCs, timeframes, modalities and response measures), adaptation (adaptation communication), finance (transparency, Adaptation Fund that will now exclusively serve the Paris Agreement, and setting a new goal on finance higher than floor of USD 100 billion per year), technology (framework), transparency framework, global stocktake, and facilitating implementation and compliance. Negotiations on the final Katowice Climate Package concluded in a “Sejmik,” meeting of ministers with a few delegates for support, similar to a Vienna setting, as well as, in bilateral and informal negotiations mostly behind closed doors. Possibly the nontransparent process was necessary to resolve politically contentious issues, and reach an outcome; however, excluded women’s groups and other stakeholders were disappointed.

A landmark outcome of Katowice COP 24 was the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform, giving the indigenous people a seat at the table, hopefully, also to indigenous women. In the LCIP, Parties committed to a gender-balance. At the adoption of the LCIP, young indigenous people sang a song lifting the mood and restoring hope for the future.

Although COP 24 outcome lacked language on human rights, Parties enhanced commitments on gender equality in climate change implementation, including gender-responsive planning on NDCs, adaptation communication, finance, and technology framework. With the appointment of 42 gender focal points in Parties delegations and their active role, Parties supported rapid progress on gender. The negotiations on gender were a breath of fresh air, filled with expertise and ambition. Parties set a process to review and advance the Lima Work Programme on Gender and its Gender Action Plan.

Ahead of COP 24 in 2018, Parties held an in-session workshop on the gender-responsive climate policy and actions, the Gender Dialogue with Chairs of constituted bodies (set to identify entry points on how to integrate a gender perspective in their workstreams), and capacity-building activities. The Climate Technology Centre & Network established a long-term partnership with women’s groups, the AF Board trained and supported the National Implementing Entities on gender risks, and the Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) strengthened gender in adaptation planning and implementation.

A unique feature of the Katowice COP 24 was the Talanoa Dialogue, based on the Pacific storytelling tradition, initiated by the Fijian COP 23 Presidency. Talanoas brought together Parties and stakeholders with divergent interests focusing on forging a way forward for the common good: “Where are we?, Where do we want to go?” and “How do we get there?” Many were disappointed that the Talanoas were not used to effectively strengthen the NDCs and that the COP merely “took note” of them. The Talanoa Call for Action called everyone to “act with urgency,” recognize that we are in a “race against time” to preserve “the life on earth as we know it.” For the IAW: “We call upon civil society leaders to marshal the public and political will needed to drive action. We call upon them to engage political leadership, influence and challenge norms, enhance awareness, and mobilize action at the regional, state and local levels.”

A clear sign that we are in trouble was the unprecedented lack of space given to the Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – IPCC, Hoesung Lee, to present the special
1.5C report at the opening of COP 24 in Katowice. The IPCC report was formally requested by countries at the 2015 Paris climate talks and focused on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, as well as, related global greenhouse gas emission pathways reflecting the best available science. The 1.5C report found with high confidence that global warming is likely to reach 1.5C between 2030 and 2052, if it continues to increase at the current rate, and detailed devastating impacts on climate characteristics, sea-level rise, ecosystems, biodiversity, ocean acidity, decrease in ocean oxygen levels, health, livelihoods, food security, water supply, human security, and economic growth. The 1.5C report presented emission pathways. To reach 1.5C goal emissions need to decline by 45% from 2010 levels by 2030, reaching net-zero in 2050, requiring rapid and far-reaching transitions in energy, land, urban, infrastructure, and industrial systems. Majority of countries, civil society, and women’s groups embraced the IPCC 1.5C report and supported formally recognizing it in the Katowice outcome. A source of tensions in the negotiations was a refusal to “welcome” the report led by the US, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Kuwait. In the end, Parties agreed on a compromise: the COP “welcomes the timely completion of the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C.”

To everyone’s shock, coal (literally) was present at the COP 24 with an exhibition featuring lumps of coal, coal jewelry, and coal hand-carved figures. Coal is an integral part of the identity of Katowice, founded in the mid-18th century upon the discovery of coal resources. Coal mining, transport, iron, steel, and energy industries have been drivers of economic progress in the Katowice Silesia region. Katowice represents a transformation in the past and the future. The city has already undergone a significant greening transition over the past 25 years. Looking towards the future, Katowice adds a sobering reality check and puts a human face on the transformation necessary to achieve the global warming below 1.5C goal.

Coal, oil and gas industries, present and leading events at COP 24, met with criticism from civil society and women’s groups. COP 24 was sponsored in its entirety by Polish public funds. With the scale of the transformation, technological innovation, and finance needed, it is hard to exclude fossil fuel industry. Still, as they are the losers in the net-zero emissions economy, it is hard not to be skeptical about their intentions. One oil industry executive jokingly described how he felt about the general opinion regarding his presence at the negotiations: “I am like a fox in a hen house.”

After Katowice COP, we look forward to implementation and HIGHER AMBITION. Raising ambition will be the goal of the upcoming Climate Summit hosted by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York, specifically on energy transition, climate finance and carbon pricing, industry transition, nature-based solutions, cities, local action, and resilience. 2020, when many countries will deliver updated NDCs will test the UNFCCC process and the Paris Agreement.

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The Congress held a session on the New Action Programme on Climate Change on Wednesday, October 25, 2017, led by Natalie Kostus, Vice President, Chair of the Commission on Climate Change, and Representative to the United Nations, IAW. The session focused on the main elements and implementation in the context of international climate change negotiations and experiences from IAW member organizations.

The session fulfilled items (1), (1.3), and (1.3.1) of the new climate change pillar: enhancing the connection between global policy on climate change and IAW member organizations that work on the ground, and organizing an interactive meeting at the Congress to exchange information and to finalize the Action Programme.

Natalie presented the progress and current trends in the international climate change negotiations. The Paris Agreement on Climate Change entered into force on November 4, 2016, and was ratified by 170 Parties to date. All parties to the Paris Agreement committed to keep the increase in global temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Natalie highlighted: the lack of enforcement mechanism, inadequate current pledges to limit emissions, and insufficient current finance pledges.

Natalie stressed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change includes a mandate on gender equality and empowerment of women. Furthermore, the enhanced Lima Work Programme on Gender includes commitments to develop gender action plan and nominate gender focal points, increase the representation and active participation of women, establish annual in-session workshops, integrate gender in the UNFCCC process and the financial mechanism, integrate gender and traditional knowledge in national climate policy and actions, and recognize the value of participation of grassroots women.

Natalie presented the Gender Action Plan under the UNFCCC aimed to support the implementation of gender-related decisions and mandates. Possible elements include: (a) Capacity building, knowledge sharing, and communication; (b) Gender balance, participation and women’s leadership; (c) Coherence with the UNFCCC and other UN agencies; (d) Gender-responsible implementation and Means of Implementation (MoI), and (e) Monitoring and reporting.

The New Action Programme on Climate Change was written by Natalie Kostus and is the result of extensive consultations with over twenty leaders of IAW. This engagement across the IAW is a huge success. Natalie thanked for all of the contributions.

Natalie presented the main action items of the Climate Change Pillar for the New IAW Action Programme 2018-2020 that will guide the work of IAW on climate change in the coming years.

The New IAW Action Programme on Climate Change 2018-2020 recognizes climate change as a threat to women’s rights and human rights, and the connection between climate change and all other action programme pillars: on justice, democracy, peace, economy, elimination of violence against women, and health. The New IAW Action Programme on Climate Change 2018-2020 makes commitments on implementation actions in three main parts.

Part 1 of the New Action Programme on Climate Change focuses on implementation actions within the IAW, that enhance the connection between global policy on climate change and member organizations that work on the ground. Action items in Part 1 include: support to member organizations to engage in climate change policy on global, national and local levels; facilitate exchange of information; organize interactive meetings and workshops at the IAW Congress (on policy processes and actions), at the IAW Board Metting (on thematic areas to enhance work on issues) and at the International Meeting (on policy outcomes and opportunities for input).

Part 2 of the New Action Programme on Climate Change focuses on the policy that IAW promotes, recognizing women’s priorities, specific indicators, and adequate financing. Policy items in Part 2 include recognition for: ground realities of different countries, urgency of climate change and sustainable development interlinkages, socio-economic rights and climate resilience, disaster risk reduction and climate refugees, women climate refugees and migrants, rural women and women food producers, indigenous women and biodiversity protection, rights and children and rights of girls, climate change and women’s health, sexual and reproductive rights, and measures to contain population growth.

Part 3 of the New Action Programme on Climate Change focuses on the IAW engagement in the global climate change policy development under the UNFCCC. Action items in Part 3 include: obtaining UNFCCC observer status, contributing to negotiations process, providing recommendations and written inputs, implementing Paris Agreement, and joining efforts with women’s groups.

The session concluded with interactive discussion and experience sharing from member organizations.

Dr. Manju Kak, Hon. Treasurer of the All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) and Vice President of IAW, called to include in the future IAW work on climate change: the political dimension of the UNFCCC negotiations on climate change and the need for technology transfer from developed to manufacturing developing countries. Manju presented on the AIWC programmes and initiatives on climate change, mobilizing women for climate justice, building capacity, and developing policy recommendations, and engaging in the UNFCCC negotiations. Natalie applauded the work of AIWC and pointed out that out of all of the countries represented at the IAW Congress, India is the only one that includes gender equality and women’s empowerment in the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

Ruhi Sayid of the All Pakistan Women’s Association (APWA) and Executive Vice President of IAW spoke about raising awareness for women in Pakistan to reduce emissions and pollution. Joanna Manganara, President of IAW and Lyda Verstegen, Honorary President of IAW, pointed out the need to reflect both priorities of developed and developing countries in the IAW work on climate change. Alison Brown of IAW highlighted how the new Action Programme reflects priorities of developing countries. Arina Angerman, Representative to the European Women’s Lobby of, raised the European Union perspective on climate change. Rosy Weiss, Treasurer of IAW, spoke about the need for another session on climate change next year in 2018 at the Board Meeting in Berlin.

The IAW Congress supported, by consensus, to stress the political aspect of the climate change negotiations and the need for technology transfer in the future work on climate change and to organize a session on climate change in Berlin. The IAW Congress adopted by consensus the new IAW Action Programme 2018-2020 Climate Change Pillar, as proposed without any changes.

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Human activities that harm marine life are degrading the ocean, undermining coastal communities’ livelihoods, and having a negative impact on human health. Every year more than 8 million tonnes of plastic are dumped into the ocean. Pollution of oceans includes toxic chemicals from industries (including oil, lead, and mercury), land run-off (including fertilizers, petroleum, and pesticides), wastewater, oil spills, and littering. Pollution of oceans has a negative impact on human health, through contaminated water supplies and food chains through affected marine life. The call for action promotes waste prevention and minimalization, as well as, implementation of long-term strategies to reduce the use of plastics and microplastics.

Our ocean is losing its marine life at a rapid rate. Due to overfishing for human consumption, the population of several species, like Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, have declined so much that their survival is at risk. The call for action commits to enhance sustainable fisheries management, including to restore fish stocks and end destructive fishing practices.

Our ocean plays a crucial role in the water cycle and the climate system and acts as a climate regulator. Climate change has negative impacts on the ocean, including a rise in ocean temperatures, ocean acidification, deoxygenation, sea level rise, the decrease in polar ice coverage, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events. Species are in danger, unable to adapt fast enough to ocean warming and acidification. The call for action recognizes the Paris Agreement and calls to develop and implement effective adaptation and mitigation measures to address harmful impacts of climate change on the ocean. At the UNFCCC COP 23, Fiji Presidency launched The Ocean Pathway strategy to ensure the ocean is an integral part of the UNFCCC process by 2020.

The call for action recognizes the importance of gender equality and the critical role of women and youth in the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

Women are leaders in the sustainable use and management of marine and coastal resources. Women in small-scale fisheries are in charge of fish processing and small-scale fish trading; valuable to coastal communities’ livelihoods and food security. Small-scale fisheries’ access to marine resources in compromised due to infrastructure gaps, and competition with large-scale fishing operations, and other sectors, including tourism, aquaculture, agriculture, and energy. Small-scale fisheries also suffer high post-harvest losses due to low investment, low-level technology, and contamination from land-based pollution. The call for action strengthens capacity-building and technical assistance to small-scale and artisanal fisheries in developing countries. Although not stated in the call for action, capacity building has to target women specifically, to address the structural, legal management and cultural barriers that prevent women from full access to fisheries and resources.

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At the opening on November 6, 2017, the Prime Minister of Fiji and COP 23 President H. E. Frank Bainimarama and the Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety of Germany H.E. Barbara Hendricks presided over a traditional Fijian ceremony, the Qaloqalovi, with the presentation of the Tabua, the tooth of a sperm whale, singing, and drinking of kava, a traditional Fijian drink. The UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa called for great urgency and increased ambition on climate change.

Fiji is the first Small Island Developing State (SIDS) to preside over climate change COP. Fiji, comprised of more than 300 islands in the South Pacific Ocean, along with other SIDS, are among the most vulnerable countries to climate change impacts. At the same time, SIDS are the smallest contributors to global carbon emissions. Many low lying SIDS are slowly sinking; coupled with extreme weather conditions, some parts of islands are becoming inhabitable, creating waves of climate refugees. Fiji has experienced many negative effects of climate change including extremely intense storms (Tropical Cyclone Winston in February 2016 causing over $1bn in damages), sea-level rise (causing the relocation of 80 villages to higher ground), and warming seas (causing changes in fish populations and bleaching of coral reefs).

COP 23 made history when Parties recommended for adoption the first Gender Plan of Action (GAP) for the UNFCCC on Tuesday, November 14, 2017.

The GAP seeks to advance women’s full, equal and meaningful participation and promote gender-responsive climate policy and the mainstreaming of a gender perspective in the implementation of the Convention and the work of Parties, the secretariat, UN entities, and all stakeholders at all levels. The GAP contains five priority areas, with activities that will drive the achievement of its objectives, and timelines for implementation between 2018 and 2019.

Priority area A: Capacity-building, knowledge sharing, and communication, with two activities:

A.1 Workshops and technical assistance to enhance the capacity of Parties and stakeholders to develop gender-responsive climate policies, plans, and programmes

A.2 Submission and dialogue on the systemic integration of gender-sensitive and participatory education, training, public awareness, public participation and public access to information into all mitigation and adaptation activities implemented under the Convention and the Paris Agreement

Priority area B: Gender balance, participation and women’s leadership, with four activities:

B.1 Promotion of travel funds to support the participation of women in national delegations at UNFCCC sessions, including from grass-roots, local and indigenous peoples, developing countries, and SIDS

B.2 Include in regular notifications to Parties at the time of nominations to UNFCCC bodies the latest report on the gender balance

B.3 Organize and conduct capacity-building training on leadership, negotiation, facilitation and chairing in the context of UNFCCC process for women

B.4 Cooperate in, promote, facilitate, develop and implement education and training programmes focused on climate change, targeting women

Priority area C: Coherence, with three activities on consistent implementation:

C.1 Dialogue for Parties and observers, with the chairs of UNFCCC bodies to discuss outcomes of the technical paper and recommendations

C.2 Provide capacity-building to chairs and members of UNFCCC bodies and technical teams of the secretariat, supporting the integration of gender into their work

C.3 Promote efforts and share information to support synergies with other processes, especially 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Priority area D: Gender-responsive implementation and means of implementation, with three activities:

D.1 Invite the Standing Committee on Finance to host a dialogue on the implementation of its commitment to integrating gender considerations into its work

D.2 In cooperation with UNEP DTU Partnership and the Climate Technology Centre and Network, invite interested stakeholders to share information on the incorporation of gender into technology needs assessments

D.3 Strengthen the capacity of gender mechanisms, including for parliamentarians, the IPU, commissions, funding ministries, NGOs, and CSOs, for the integration of gender-responsive budgeting into climate finance

Priority area E: Monitoring and reporting, with four activities:

E.1 Make a submission, including sex-disaggregated data and gender analysis:

(a) Information on the differentiated impacts of climate change on women and men

(b) Integration of gender considerations into adaptation, mitigation, capacity-building, Action for Climate Empowerment, technology and finance policies, plans and actions

(c) Policies and plans for and progress made in enhancing gender balance in national climate delegations

E.2 Prepare a synthesis report on the submissions under activity  E1

E.3 Update report on how the Climate Technology Centre and Network, working with the Technology Executive Committee, contributed to accelerating the development and transfer of technology with gender considerations

E.4 Encourage knowledge exchange activities among the secretariat staff across all thematic areas to update on gender work

The recommendation for adoption of the GAP coincided with the Gender Day at COP 23 on Tuesday, November 14, 2017, that included networking breakfast on capacity building, and a high-level event on making the economic case for gender-responsive climate action. COP 23 featured many events on women and climate change organized by Parties, women’s groups, civil society, and other stakeholders, that included frontline conversations with Pacific women, and recognizing women human rights and climate defenders.

A highlight was an aerobics class, organized by the Women and Gender Constituency, on Tuesday, November 7, 2017, to call on COP 23 delegates to “mind the gap” of gender inequality and “reach” for a gender action plan. The aerobics class lightened the mood in often testy climate change negotiations, facing polarizing issues and difficult constructive discussions on the way forward.

The Women and Gender Constituency advocated for the Key Demands at COP 23, including the GAP, loss and damage, finance, rights-based platform for indigenous peoples and local communities, rules for community consultation and consent, gender justice, ecosystem-based approaches, ocean, water, and health, including sexual and reproductive health and rights.

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The outcome document Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development agreed to by Member states in the Post-2015 Development Summit,
which took place in New York in September 2015 also acknowledges throughout the preamble and the Declaration that achieving women’s empowerment, gender equality and women’s human rights are a prerequisite for sustainable development.

The Sustainable Development Goals are a vast improvement on the Millennium Development Goals, which were essentially a pact between donor and developing countries. The new goals are universally applicable, tackling poverty and deprivation everywhere, leaving nobody behind and holding all countries responsible for taking action. The Sustainable Development Goals are more equality sensible with more cross-cutting commitments to gender equality and a stand-alone goal dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. However, the 2030 Agenda fails to lay out a comprehensive human rights based approach for sustainable development. It also fails to recognize the need for a women’s rights based analysis incorporated in the Sustainable Development Goals.

On the one hand women’s empowerment needs the building of an enabling environment for the implementation of women’s human rights. On the other hand it needs the enhancement of women’s skills and capacities as active agents of change for sustainable development. However, in the 2030 Agenda, sustainable development goals, targets and means of implementation do not address systemic imbalances, systemic discrimination and structural inequalities that deny the basic human rights of women and girls. Therefore, the 2030 Agenda does not contribute sufficiently to the creation of such an enabling environment.

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Natalia explained that the bases for the Programme are two outcomes: Paris Agreement on Climate Change to be adopted in December 2015 and Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development adopted in September 2015. Natalia stressed that both outcomes represent global calls to action, leadership, and partnership, represent people’s revolutionary movements,  set ambitious and specific goals for implementation and are set to attract significant amounts of funding.

Natalia explained that the overarching global programme will comprise of a global component and a portfolio of multiple local projects developed and implemented jointly with IAW member organizations, capitalizing on the niche of IAW, which lies in providing the connection between global policy and IAW member organizations that work on the ground. The programme will be focused on climate change, sustainable development, gender equality and women’s empowerment, and specific issues, including: energy, cities, food security, environment, and consumption.

Natalia led the initial consultation and interactive discussion, gathering the first round of input on the programme direction, scope, strategy, and structure.

Rakesh Dhawan Representative of All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) and Board Member of IAW stressed that climate change is one of the biggest threats to civilization today; pointing to accelerated natural disasters and the incredible pressure on ecosystems, overexploitation of natural resources, and high carbon emissions. Rakesh detailed initiatives taken by AIWC in India: popularizing solar energy and energy efficiency though fairs and training programs for women, integrating training for women on cutting emissions though efficient waste management, supporting traditional practices, and awareness rising for women water leaders. Rakesh concluded with an appeal to together combat this greatest challenge for survival and implement strategy for environment and climate protection.

Renee Gerard, Representative to the Council of Europe of IAW stressed that there are many projects IAW should develop, especially focusing on waste, food security, small technologies, and education for environment in school and in public.

Arina Angerman, Representative to the European Women’s Lobby of IAW advocated that for this programme IAW should focus on SDG target on women in decision making.  Arina highlighted the importance of communication and sustainable Internet technologies and suggested to include green ICT platforms for this programme.

Monique Bouaziz, Representative to UNESCO of IAW and Danielle Levy Board Member and Representative to UNESCO of IAW detailed French NGOs preparations for Paris COP and the NGO climate change village in November and December 2015.

Rita Marque Mbatha, Executive Director at Women’s Comfort Corner in Zimbabwe stressed the importance of technology and communication, and shared experiences on cell phone donation programmes and partnership with wireless providers to help give rape victims and domestic violence victims and survivors their voice. Rita explained additional benefits of the program for cleaner environment; instead of the phones being thrown away they are being recycled. Natalia highlighted the important role cell phones play in the event of natural disaster.

Joke Sebus,Co- Editor of the IAW Newsletter pointed out the importance of water and sanitation. Jessica Kehl Executive, Vice President of IAW highlighted the difference between waste and recyclable materials. Dr. Horeya Megahed, Coordinator for the Arab Countries of IAW called for action on climate change and discussed experiences on solar energy and sustainable water management from the Arab Region. Priscilla Todd Editor of the International Women’s News of IAW recommended partnerships for IAW and to include consumption and education.

If you would like to contribute to the development and participate in the online discussion on the new IAW Programme on Climate Change and Sustainable Development, please e-mail Natalia at: Natalia.Kostus.IAW@gmail.com

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1. a) Economy

Collect and publish systematic gender sensitive analyses of the impact of the economic crisis and responses thereof, prior to their implementation.
Upvalue work in the caring sector, reduce and redistribute unpaid care.
Promote decent work for women and reduce their disproportional representation  in informal work which is generally precarious, poorly paid and not covered by labour legislation. Identify and change the structural factors that contribute to the rise of this type of employment.
Close the gender pay gap by 2025
Redesign and rethink budgeting to ensure that women’s rights and needs are met at national and community levels.
Promote women’s equal representation in decision making in particular in the economic field.

1. Stereotyping

Act against the stereotyping of women in all fields of life i.a. by sensitizing men and boys.

1. Violence

Combat all forms of violence against women including by financing of support services and protection for women victims as well as non sexist education. This approach must include the role of men and boys in addressing the root causes of male violence.  Ratify the Istanbul Convention.

1. Access to justice

Facilitate access to meaningful, affordable and human rights based justice systems for all individuals, particularly for women and marginalized groups

1. Health

Ensure access to family planning for all women including girls in all countries in order to reduce preventable mortality and morbidity.
Countries with restrictive abortion legislation should lift the ban, or at least allow for exceptions including on social grounds. Women who resort to unsafe abortion should receive post-abortion medical care as needed. Emergency contraception should be available and affordable.

1. f) Peace and security, the effects of armed or other kinds of conflict on women

Implement UNSCR 1325 and subsequent resolutions of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda and report thereof through national reporting under CEDAW.
Establish effective protection of women and girls against sexual and gender-based violence as a political weapon in conflicts.
Ratify and implement the Arms Trade Treaty.

1. g) Women and Climate change

Commit to gender transformative policies and objectives, protecting and promoting women’s human rights in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 2015 Paris Agreement.
Recognize that climate change crisis has a negative impact on gender equality and women’s human rights, challenging implementation of BDPfA and threatening all development outcomes.
Include women in decision making, because women are on the front lines and often have a greater stake in leading climate change solutions.

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At the opening ceremony, a woman civil society leader and a mother from Marshall Islands Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner recited a poem dedicated to her baby daughter—making a promise that she will not be a climate refugee and will have a safe home—as the future survival of island States depends on climate action now.  UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon stressed: “Climate change is a defining issue of our age, of our present. Our response will define our future…That is why I have asked you to be here today. Thank you for your leadership. I’m asking you to lead.”

Heads of State made announcements on national climate action and ambition. President Obama stated: “This is something that President Xi of China and I have worked on together.  Just a few minutes ago, I met with Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, and reiterated my belief that as the two largest economies and emitters in the world, we have a special responsibility to lead.  That’s what big nations have to do.” President Obama stated that America will meet the emissions reduction target of 17% below 2005 levels by 2020 and early next year will announce next target.  Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli stated that China has adopted national plan on climate change to ensure a 40-45% reduction in carbon intensity by 2020 from 2005 levels and will announce post-2020 ambition as soon as possible.  Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli stressed the importance of building consensus and implementing actions for a cooperative and win-win global climate governance system.

President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso reiterated emissions reduction target of 40% by 2030 from 1990 levels and total of €14 billion in climate finance to developing countries.   Further announcements on emissions reductions included: Monaco 30% below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80% by 2050; Belgium 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2050; UK 80% by 2050; Chile 20% by 2020 conditional on international support; Australia 5% by 2020, 22% reduction from business-as-usual levels; Singapore 16% below 2020 business-as-usual levels; Sweden 40% below 1990 levels by 2020 and zero net emissions by 2050; and Finland 80% by 2050.  On climate finance, a number of countries made commitments to the Green Climate Fund (GCF):  Germany US$ 1 billion; France US$ 1 billion over the next four years; Switzerland a minimum of US$ 100 million; Republic of Korea US$ 100 million (including previously pledged US$ 50 million); Denmark US$ 70 million; Norway about US$ 33 million in 2015; Mexico US$ 10 million; Czech Republic US$ 5.5 million; Luxembourg US$ 5 million; and Italy.

130 women leaders attended the “Leaders’ Forum on Women Leading the Way: Raising Ambition for Climate Action,” co-hosted by UN Women and the Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice on the eve of UN Climate Summit on 22 September 2014, including President of Chile, H.E. Michelle Bachelet, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan; First Lady of Peru Nadine Heredia de Humala; Member of the Elders Graça Machel; former Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard; former President of Finland Tarja Halonen; former President of Malawi Joyce Banda; former Prime Minister of Norway Gro Brundtland; former Prime Minister of New Zealand and Administrator of the UNDP Helen Clark; and leaders from indigenous groups, civil society, youth groups, private sector, and government.  Women leaders discussed in roundtables—using traditional learning circles methodology—their commitment to ambitious climate action and gender equality, recognizing the power that women have, taking ownership and responsibility, demanding accountability and access to decision making.  “Women need to be empowered, it means that they need to be at the decision making table. Women are working on the grass-roots level, where on the daily basis they are facing impacts of climate change, so there is no viable solution if they are not at the decision making table” said former Prime Minister of Senegal Aminata Touré.

One of the thematic discussions during the Climate Summit, “Voices from the Climate Front Lines”, Co-Chaired by President of Bolivia H.E. Evo Morales and Prime Minister of Tuvalu H.E. Enele Sosene Sopoaga, focused on giving voice to women, young people, children, and indigenous people, highlighting their leadership for climate solutions and resilience. Organized by UN Women, UNFPA, and UNICEF, the session included young women panelists and agents of change from Nepal, Solomon Islands, and Uganda.  President of Bolivia H.E. Evo Morales presented Bolivia’s proposal for the UNFCCC 2015 climate agreement— “Climate Resilience and Sustainable Development Mechanism” based on: development in harmony with nature; integrated ecosystem management; significant reduction of carbon emissions; integrated management of systems addressing climate risk; and eradication of extreme poverty and reducing gender inequality and inequity between peoples.  During the event, UN Special Envoy for Climate Change Mary Robinson held up a book and said “This is my book. This is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Climate change is all about human rights and unfortunately it is making a lot of human rights worse.”

IAW marched in New York, together with 400,000 women and men from all over the world for People’s Climate March on 21 September, 2014.  On the same weekend, 2646 climate change events were organized in 162 countries, including marches in Kathmandu, Melbourne, Sydney, Jakarta, and London.  Mary Robinson, called the people’s climate justice movement “a revolution,” and called on us to keep it up, because political leaders respond to pressure from the people.  IAW marched in solidarity to spark a momentum for climate change action, and now we have to keep this passion for change and to make sure that leaders keep their promises for COP 20 in Lima later this year and COP 21 in Paris in 2015.

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Scientists warn us that climate change could accelerate beyond our control, threatening our survival and everything we love. We call on you to keep global temperature rise under the unacceptably dangerous level of 2 degrees C, by phasing out carbon pollution to zero. To achieve this, you must urgently forge realistic global, national and local agreements, to rapidly shift our societies and economies to 100% clean energy by 2050. Do this fairly, with support to the most vulnerable among us. Our world is worth saving and now is our moment to act. But to change everything, we need everyone. Join us.
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/100_clean_final/?bGqcPhb&signup=1&cl=5764104188&v=44869

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