IUCN - News from Bangkok

Insider's view: from Barcelona to Copenhagen

2009-11-09

The Climate Change Talks held in Barcelona (2-6 November) under the auspices of the UNFCCC ended with the Chairmen of the two main negotiating streams expressing confidence that ‘a strong outcome of COP15 at Copenhagen can be achieved that is balanced, fair, ambitious and effective’. However, at the same time, most negotiating groups are now playing down the probability that the initially hoped-for legally binding agreement will emerge in December. They admit that there is now a lack of time as well as a lack of progress. They prefer to refer to a ‘politically binding agreement’ (the meaning of which is less than clear) and to devoting 2010 to negotiating the details of a legal treaty- i.e. legally binding under international law.

Progress in Bangkok, but hard work left for Barcelona and Copenhagen

2009-10-09

IUCN Closing Statement: The Bangkok climate change talks, under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), have moved the all-important negotiating text for a new climate change agreement forward. However, countries are still far from agreeing on the form of the agreement, and most importantly on emission cuts that would ensure a deal in Copenhagen in December.

Insider's view: Bangkok part 4

2009-10-08

IUCN's head of delegation, Claire Parker outlines the latest developments as the meeting enters its final days.

Bangkok must ensure REDD-plus moves ahead

2009-10-08

IUCN Daily Media Statement: As the Bangkok climate change talks near their end, some key elements are yet to be addressed. Progress is being made in the negotiations on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD), which also includes conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhacement of forest carbon stocks (REDD Plus). But more must be done.

Insider's view: Bangkok part 3

2009-10-07

More from IUCN climate change expert Claire Parker in the meeting's second week.

The buzz from Bangkok

2009-10-07

With just two more days to go before the Bangkok leg of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) wraps up, there’s a feeling of urgency in the air.

Demonstrations continue outside Bangkok climate talks

2009-10-07

Protestors have gathered outside the gates of the UN compound in Bangkok each day since key climate change talks began last week.

Six Senses making sense to nature

2009-10-07

Businesses in Thailand and across the world are turning on to the need to do their part in stemming the climate crisis, currently under discussion at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) talks in Bangkok.

Harness nature, protect against climate change

2009-10-07

IUCN Daily Media Brief: Nature can be a cost-effective way to protect communities from climate change and extreme weather events. Healthy ecosystems, such as forests and wetlands, are beneficial to local populations for the many livelihood benefits that they provide: firewood, clean water, fibres, medicines, shelter and food. They can also form physical barriers against some extreme weather events, such as storm surges.

Bangkok’s sinking as sea levels rise

2009-10-06

Take the motorway south out of Bangkok and within an hour you’ll be in the Bang Khun Thien area.

Insider's view: Bangkok part 2

2009-10-06

The latest from IUCN's expert Claire Parker on the state of negotiations.

Bangkok must listen, says IUCN

2009-10-06

IUCN Daily Media Statement: Some 450 million people live in and around Asia-Pacific forests. Their engagement is critical in the success of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degredation (REDD), which also includes conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhacement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+). Saving the world’s remaining forests must be part of any climate change deal that moves on from Bangkok to Copenhagen.

Indigenous peoples must be part of climate solution

2009-10-05

IUCN Daily Media Statement:

Climate change impacts are already a realitiy for indigenous peoples. In many cases, their very survival is put at risk. High dependence on nature, the occupation of marginal lands, and a fragile situation in socio-economic and political terms make indigenous peoples especially vulnerable to climate change and extreme natural phenomena.

Insider's view: Bangkok opening days

2009-10-05

Bangkok: Part 1. IUCN's climate change expert Claire Parker gives her view on the opening days of the meeting.

Defending against climate change – just down the road from UN meeting

2009-10-05

It’s hard to believe that just a few hours' drive from Bangkok, where a key UN meeting on climate change recently took place, the impacts of climate change on coastal communities can be seen so clearly.

Conservation of world’s forests key to planet’s survival

2009-10-01

With only two months to go before a new climate deal is negotiated in Copenhagen, The Forests Dialogue calls on industrialized nations to ensure robust financial commitments for conservation and sustainable management of forests and on tropical countries to ensure that these new financial streams are fairly shared with forest dependant communities.

The reality of REDD and the way forward

2009-10-01

Reduced Emisions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) is an effective way to achieve a green economy. What needs to be done for REDD to work and to be sustainable?

Forests, people and climate change: the REDD solution

2009-10-01

Major reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions are necessary if we are to avoid disastrous climate change. Given that deforestation and forest degradation account for up to 17% of man-made global greenhouse gas emissions, conservation and sustainable management of forests is a good place to start.

REDD needs more private sector involvement

2009-10-01

Until now most of the work on REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) is being led by the public sector and non-governmental organizations in particular. This has to change, according to Chris Knight, of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, who is involved in The Forests Dialogue, which IUCN helped develop. He says that REDD might not work if it is developed without significant input from the private sector.

Russia's forests examined

2009-10-01

Andrey Laletin, of the Global Forest Coalition in Russia, gives the latest lowdown on the forest situation in Russia and explains that the main problem they face is forest degradation. He says a positive result of the global financial and economic crisis is that logging companies don't have the funds to build new infrastructure into remote forests, such as roads, rendering swathes of forest in Siberia, for example, inaccessible.