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Rituraj's three perspectives on COP28.
Rituraj's three perspectives on COP28
Rituraj Phukan, President of the Indigenous People's Climate Justice Forum, recounted the various phases of the United Nations Climate Change Conference
Italian version here
Dubai 3 December 2023, “It's been three days since the start of COP28, and I am getting my head around this vast and complex landscape of actors, alliances, and initiatives, all of which have contact with the negotiation process. I was thrilled that there was a decision on the first day, which has never happened before; everybody here is in a positive mindset after the operationalization of the Loss and Damage fund. Of course the amounts pledged are insignificant when compared to the cost of climate disasters upon indigenous people and local communities around the world, but it is a great start. Adding to the positive start, yesterday Italy and France made commitments of 100 million Euros each, so the civil society representing developing countries are quite hopeful of the progress that can be expected in the next 10 days."
"It has been an overwhelming experience to learn about the struggles of frontline communities around the world, specially the indigenous people at the frontlines of both the climate and biodiversity crisis. At the same time, the solidarity, and empathy for the people suffering wars and disasters makes me very grateful and hopeful for the future. The vibrancy of the youth and their willingness to embrace the challenges and change for a better future is something that gives us immense hope.”
“Yesterday I joined the launch of the Smily Academy Europe in Milan virtually from the COP28 venue. I am convinced that the time is just perfect for an impact accelerator like Smily Academy and so grateful to our visionary co-founder Claudia Laricchia for dreaming of the impossible. The sustainable business models for a better future can be accomplished by integrating inner development goals and the traditional knowledge systems and practices that can allow us all to reconnect with Mother Earth. Here I see that beyond the negotiating rooms, the youth are restless, energetic and desperately looking for transformative ways for a better future. I feel the vibes are very positive from Expo City Dubai.”
Dubai 7 December 2023, “Today, negotiations take a much-needed break. During the week, I was joined by Smily Academy Co-Founder Claudia Laricchia in Dubai and together we were able to discuss the development of our global indigenous impact accelerator with several influencers who appreciated the vision and model of the entrepreneurship program for the future generations. We also met Nobel Laureate and former US Vice-President of the USA, the Hon. Al Gore, who forcefully called for a phase-out of all fossil fuels rapidly to save the planet from catastrophe. All around the venue there were many protests in response to the COP28 President's comment about the lack of science behind phasing out of fossil fuels to limit warming to 1.5 C above the pre-industrial levels”
“The end of the first week at COP28 has been lowkey, with limited progress on the key deliverables. Statements during the closing plenary of the Subsidiary Bodies revealed widespread dissatisfaction with the state of negotiations on several issues. I appreciate the reference to Indigenous Peoples in the Global Stocktake text and Loss and Damage fund. Now they have to ensure that direct access to loss and damage funding is assured. We also should have representation in the fund’s board, as well as rights in the just transition pathways work programme. There should be a binding global phaseout of fossil fuels and all extraction and production at source, or we will surpass the 1.5C limit. As Indigenous Peoples, we stand united and do not support the extractive systems of any natural resource, especially fossil fuels because they inevitably damage Mother Earth. This is the only way to ensure achievement of the Paris Agreement Goal of 1.5°C global temperature rise, that protects our ways of life, food and eco-systems and collective rights to survival.”
“Despite the slow progress and bottlenecks, I am hopeful of a successful outcome as it is critical to address the avalanche of climate-induced disasters around the world. I call upon world leaders to prioritize human lives at the frontiers of climate change. The window of opportunity to save the planet from the cascading impacts is rapidly closing on us while we negotiate numbers and texts at successive conferences. In just a week we will know if COP28 can deliver a breakthrough outcome for the future of humanity.”
Dubai 12 December 2023, “The “UAE Consensus” has failed to address the concerns of developing countries like India, who need to balance the needs of their economic activities, specially burgeoning energy requirements, while financing a transition to renewables and helping millions already devastated by the impacts of climate change.
“There was widespread demand for inclusion of a forceful text for “phasing out of fossil fuels” with a clear timeframe with developed countries taking the lead in moving away from the earth-warming fuels first while providing the financial mechanism for developing countries to pace their own transition to renewable energy. This would adhere to the principle of common but differentiated liabilities and a pave a new world order based on equity and respect for human rights.”
The text recognizes the fossil fuels as the primary driver of global heating for the first time but avoids reference to a complete timebound phase out as demanded by over a hundred countries and civil society organization. It must be mentioned that 2023 has been confirmed as the hottest year with the cascading consequences for communities living at the frontlines.”
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Uploaded on 14/12/2023
