Professionals for Climate Action - April 2018

Civic society commitments are well recognised as contributing to the global momentum and pressure leading up to the 2015 Paris Agreement (COP21).

Civic society commitments are well recognised as contributing to the global momentum and pressure leading up to the 2015 Paris Agreement (COP21).

Support from these so called on-state actorscontinues toinfluence the international process and is often summarised as leadership andinfluence from leading NGOs, Companies, Cities and Municipal Authorities.However, through a variety of roles and work, IEMA members themselves also forma unique cohort for action on Climate Change. Their influence is also nowmaking an important contribution.

IEMA has recently submitted evidence into the UNFCCC TalanoaDialogue, now underway in Bonn. OP21 decided to convene a facilitativedialogue among Parties in 2018 to take stock of the collective efforts ofParties (states) in relation to progress towards on long-term climate action(the goal) and to inform the preparation of nationally determinedcontributions. The approach is one of built in review and contributes adialogue mechanism towards atcheting upfuture action and commitments.Talanoa is a traditional word used in Fijiand across the Pacific to reflect a process of inclusive, participatory andtransparent dialogue. The purpose of Talanoa is to share stories, build empathyand to make wise decisions for the collective good.

What pointsare made within the IEMA submission?

As professionals, IEMA members are well placed to understand theClimate Change ransformation agendathrough their work with organisationsacross all economic sectors. They informed IEMA Climate Change PositionStatement, recent consultations with Government and also internationaldevelopments.Key points include;

Mandatory GHGReporting this is an important policylever to extend internationally. IntheUK, there is profession-based support for a mandatory requirement to all largebusinesses.
Policy uncertaintyby governments and international bodies can be a barrier to on-state actorsThe long-term state level commitments (COP21) need to be matched by similarlonger-term policies and approaches for businesses operating between countries,
Confidence aroundfuture carbon values is a concern,
Importantvoluntary reporting initiatives- a needexists for consistency in terminology and avoiding duplication,
The need foraccurate and reliable emission factors internationally,
Capacity buildingand skills internationally for energy management, GHG accounting, climatechange adaptation and resilience,
Transparent andcredible claims the need for standards and guidance

/o:p>You can view IEMA submission to the current Talanoa dialoguehere