Announcements
Announcements
Can climate negotiations under the UNFCCC be moved online in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and done in ways that increase the effectiveness, inclusiveness and transparency of the UN climate process?
Representatives from the UNFCCC, the Swedish government and independent climate platforms discussed the findings of a recent SEI report that explored this question based on the engagement of a select but diverse group of stakeholders.
Credit: Mia Shu
Much more of the UNFCCC process can be undertaken online than was anticipated 18 months ago. Fifty-three percent of respondents in a survey conducted for our stakeholder-based assessment, Building climate diplomacy back better: imagining the UNFCCC meetings of tomorrow, said they could see some parts of the process go online.
There is clearly a window of opportunity to transform the UNFCCC process – including but going beyond a digital transition – to make it more effective, inclusive and transparent.
However, mistrust is a big barrier to increasing acceptance of an online process, with the fierce debate about moving more of the process online a proxy conflict for long-standing diverging interests and perspectives related to trust and power.
This online event presented the key findings of research commissioned by Sweden’s Ministry of the Environment and provide a platform for discussions about the results. It explored an initial range of reactions and responses on the implications of bringing the UNFCCC process online from a number of different stakeholder perspectives.
Moderated by Chloé Farand, Climate Home News
Project / There is a unique opportunity to build climate diplomacy back better in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, our study finds.
Project / There is a unique opportunity to build climate diplomacy back better in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, our study finds.
SEI report / This report seeks to address how online meetings could be held to increase the effectiveness, inclusiveness and transparency of the UNFCCC process.
Perspective / SEI's Inès Bakhtaoui draws lessons and connections from her ocean sailing experience and research on online climate negotiations to broaden participation.
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