Presentation to the South African Parliament on the occasion of the Pre-COP17 Climate Change National Consultative Seminar Cape Town : 28 October 2011 Theme: “Outcomes and Implications for the parties on previous COPs an d MOPs” Presenter: Buyelwa Sonjica

Introduction The climate change dialogue is an evolving process It is guided by the UNFCC, KYOTO Protol,Bali Action Plan, Copenhagen Accord and the Cancun Outcome The last outcome becomes the main basis for further negotiations

UNFCC It sets the parameters within which the negotiations are pursued It remains an important reference and guide for the negotiators Article 3 of the Convention is of particular importance because it talks to the principle of common but differentiated The right of countries to promote sustainable development It acknowledges that there are unique socio-economic conditions for each party and that climate change policies and systems should be integrated with national development programmes

KYOTO PROTOCOL The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The major feature of the Kyoto Protocol is that it sets binding targets for 37 industrialized countries and the European community for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.These amount to an average of five per cent against 1990 levels over the five-year period On the other hand, developing countries must commit to actions to reduce gas emissions depending on the availability of resources and without denying their right to industrialise their economies The major distinction between the Protocol and the Convention is that while the Convention encouraged industrialised countries to stabilize GHG emissions, the Protocol commits them to do so.

Cont: KYOTO PROTOCOL Recognizing that developed countries are principally responsible for the current high levels of GHG emissions in the atmosphere as a result of more than 150 years of industrial activity, the Protocol places a heavier burden on developed nations under the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities.

THE BALI ACTION PLAN It mapped-out a programme to be pursued by the parties The programme stood on four key elements; namely o Mitigation o Adaptation o Finance and o Technology

PRE-CANCUN NEGOTIATIONS The negotiations focused on the ff; – Building a transparent & comparable framework for the US under the Convention while negotiating the second commitment period (2CP)under the Kyoto Protocol (KP) – The US refuse to join the KP until China do so – China re-iterate its stance as a developing country with massive needs to eradicating poverty

IMPLICATIONS FOR PARTIES Climate change is a central aspect of the broader environmental programme Parties must therefore continue to implement in earnest environmental management policies and legislation National development plan should incorporate climate change

CONT: IMPLICATIONS Countries should continuously work on enhancing their capacity to deal with natural catastrophes Education and empowerment of citizens and this is inclusive of public participation initiatives Parliaments must monitor and oversee implementation It is important that a two-track legally binding agreement is reached because this will guarantee that all countries will be accountable including the US Adaptation remains the most important for developing countries especially for the African continent. Countries should continue to build their technological capacity to enhance their productivity for agricultural products

IMPLICATIOS FOR PARTIES It would be important that we insist on the separation of the WTO issues from climate change issues because the latter will be sacrificed

Closing Remarks I thank you for the opportunity.