The annual UN Climate Change negotiations are a fascinating and potentially transformative environment. Tens of thousands of people, from nearly 200 nations, gather to put their attention, their talents, and their institutional capacities, to the task of securing a climate-resilient future for humankind.
CCI works with citizen volunteers in 76 countries across six continents, to build political will for a livable world. Our goal is to see all of those countries and regions fielding robust, diverse delegations of civil society advocates and stakeholders, to support the success of the annual global climate congress.
We agree with the goal of expanding both the number and proportion of civil society observer (CSO) participants from the Global South, but we do not believe that should be achieved by drastically reducing the overall number of CSO representatives. Such an approach reduces overall stakeholder participation and also undermines years-long efforts by organizations that have a track record of supporting participation of CSO representatives from the Global South.
Fewer voices will not lead to sustainable solutions. Vulnerable communities and countries, especially, need to have increased representation in civil society delegations from all nations, and in national negotiating teams. The more numerous the voices and perspectives from stakeholders and advocates, the higher the ambition and the more actionable the outcomes will be.
We urge the UNFCCC Secretariat and the Troika of UAE, Azerbaijan, and Brazil presidencies, to work together to support an overall expansion of participation, with funding for underfunded entities and regions, such that regional diversity is well served, and the most ambitious outcome is made more likely.
