State of Play
2016 was the first year we saw the results of the workstream II negotiations in operation. The year leading up to COP22 was an exploratory year for the new climate champions who spent significant time consulting with key stakeholders and planning the action agenda platform for the COP, known as Global Climate Action. Naturally, there will be some growing pains as the role of the climate champions and Global Climate Action matures. This was the 3rd iteration of the action agenda which has evolved since its launch in 2014 in Lima, but this was the first time we saw tangible first steps to strengthen much-needed dialogue between state and non-state actors. Underscoring the importance of this relationship, the Marrakech Action Proclamation calls for non-state actors to join countries for immediate and ambitious action and mobilization. This unified, global approach will be a key element of Global Climate Action in the future.
Concluding the events of Global Climate Action at COP22, the two climate champions launched the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action which outlines the framework for the operation for Global Climate Action moving forward,which is not meant to be just a series of one-off events at COPs. To truly build a global approach that works with existing fora, the Marrakech Partnership calls for a year-long process to be repeated and strengthened overtime that involves participation from all actors. Realizing this framework cannot be done by the two champions alone; it will require concerted efforts from all actors, across all sectors and levels of government. The Marrakech Partnership belongs to everyone and all actors in the climate action community have responsibility to take this work forward advancing toward our common goals.
Going forward, Global Climate Action should pursue three strategic priorities:
- Credibility: deliver and report progress on actions that have been pledged
- Momentum: increase scale and scope of climate actions to show “tipping point” across multiple actors, sectors, and thematic areas by 2018
- Impact: link bottom up action to implementation of current NDCs and opportunities to increase future NDCs
Goals
Overarching objectives
By increasing the scale, scope and credibility of climate action by all non-Party stakeholders, governments are able to successfully implement their NDCs, strengthen their ambition and update their NDCs accordingly. Global Climate Action coalesces into a strong, inclusive and effective mechanism for driving climate action and ambition by all climate actors, enhancing the credibility, momentum, and impact of the entire groundswell of climate actions. Key actors from national governments, sub-national and non-state actors are actively engaged in its development and implementation throughout the year. The climate champions have the resources and support necessary to create a meaningful dialogue between forward-looking non-Party stakeholders and governments and can undertake activities of the Marrakech Partnership.
Short-term objectives
2018 is the next major inflection point for climate action. This is a prime opportunity to trigger an acceleration of action and ambition as countries will take stock of global climate action within the UNFCCC negotiation process; update or revise their NDCs (or begin the process); and many will put forward long-term climate strategies. The wealth of efforts and activities by non-state and subnational actors will have significant influence in driving the results of this moment and all actors will work in a coordinated fashion including with a coherent flow of events and effective linkages and communication channels between actor groups.
Over time, the Secretariat, Champions, UN Secretary General’s Office, and others should take a stronger role in coordinating Global Climate Action. GGCA may need to perform some of these tasks in the short-terms as those capacities develop.
Approach
The GGCA will provide research and convene support for the following issue areas in order to achieve our objectives:
(1) Support for the UNFCCC Secretariat, climate champions, COP Presidencies, UN Secretary General’s office, and thematic pillar actors to guide implementation of the Marrakech Partnership including through support for inclusive and effective annual high-level sessions for Global Climate Action at COPs:
- Ensure effective coordination between initiatives/coalitions in different thematic areas, including on sharing work plans, targets, events calendars, etc.
- Support early and collaborative planning of GCA events at UNFCCC meetings, including TEMs, HLE, Action Days, etc.
- Support development of effective Yearbook of Climate Action (see Data+Analysis workstream plans);
(2) Strengthen the linkage between Global Climate Action and countries’ NDCs with the goal of highlighting opportunities for greater ambition:
- Advocate productive and substantive interaction between parties and non-party stakeholders in TEMs, HLE, Action Days, 2018 Facilitative Dialogue, and other relevant fora
- Work through initiatives like the NDC Partnership, the 2050 Pathways Platform, and the Initiative for Climate Action Transparency to ensure robust integration of multi-stakeholder solutions;
(3) Support for the specific actors and initiatives within the thematic pillars to strengthen their engagement with Global Climate Action and the successful advancement of existing and new initiatives;
(4) Work with Friends of Climate Action to encourage Parties to engage with and support Global Climate Action in a substantive way;
(5) Report progress on actions that have been pledged.
