AQOCI’s Advocacy Document for COP16 and COP29

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AQOCI’S ADVOCACY DOCUMENT for COP16 and COP29

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This year, AQOCI will participate in the COP16 on biodiversity and the COP29 on climate.

The COP16 on Biodiversity will take place in Cali, Colombia, from October 21 to November 1^st, 2024. It will be the first Conference of the Parties (COP) organized following the historic Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted in 2022. The main issues will include assessing the progress in implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework and establishing an operational framework to monitor the progress of states in relation to the goals set in the 2022 Global Framework.

The COP29 on climate will take place from November 11 to 22, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan. One of the key issues will be the negotiation of a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), the new climate finance target to replace the previous $100 billion USD annual target established at COP15 in Copenhagen in 2009.

Why is AQOCI participating in these spaces?

• To amplify the voices of the communities most affected by the climate crisis, especially in the Global South
• To continue our advocacy with Quebec and Canadian leaders to promote feminist climate justice
• To strengthen our alliances with civil society partners from Quebec, Canada, and internationally on issues related to biodiversity and climate

From a climate justice perspective, AQOCI’s approach is to work in partnership with civil society networks and organizations based in Africa, Latin America, and Asia to support their demands and raise their voices as representatives of the communities most affected by biodiversity loss and the impact of climate change worldwide. More specifically, we have designed this advocacy document largely based on their demands; we will organize activities at COP16 and COP29 to amplify their voices; and we will share interviews with these representatives to showcase their work and perspectives on biodiversity and climate issues.

The partners with whom we will collaborate at COP16 and COP29 are the Coordination Committee of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin (COICA), the Latin American Network for Economic and Social Justice (LATINDADD), IBON International, the Panafrican Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), and the Permanent Secretariat of NGOs in Burkina Faso (SPONG).

Partner Presentations

The Coordination Committee of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin (COICA) brings together nine Amazonian Indigenous organizations from Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. It represents about 511 Amazonian peoples living in an area covering about 240 million hectares of forest and is considered the largest Indigenous organization in the world.

IBON International is an organization based in the Philippines that cooperates with social movements and civil society groups, especially in the Global South. It works directly or through networks and partnerships to build consensus on development issues and helps bring these consensuses to broader global platforms by engaging in international processes like the COPs.

The Latin American Network for Economic and Social Justice (LATINDADD) is a network composed of institutions and social organizations from Latin American countries working to address the systemic crisis and create conditions for an economy that serves the people, where economic, social, and cultural rights are respected.

The Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) is a network of 1,000 organizations from 51 African countries, bringing together grassroots groups, community organizations, non-governmental organizations, and Indigenous communities, among others, with a common vision to promote a people-centered, rights-based, just, and inclusive approach to addressing the climate challenges facing humanity and the planet.

Established in June 1974, the Permanent Secretariat of NGOs in Burkina Faso (SPONG) is a national platform bringing together 290 NGOs, associations, and foundations. Its main mission is to influence policies in favor of Burkinabé communities by supporting them in various areas of economic, social, and environmental development.

POLITICAL DEMANDS

1- Phase out fossil fuels

Fossil fuels are the main cause of the climate crisis, both historically and currently. Emissions from the production and consumption of oil, gas, and coal account for about 75% of all anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions to date.[1]

Last year, at COP28, states opened the door for the first time to phasing out fossil fuels. However, as the representative of Samoa, Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States, pointed out, “We have taken a step forward from the status quo, but it is exponential change we truly needed.”[2]

The Panafrican Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) stresses that emissions reduction is an obligation, not an option, and that Global North countries must present urgent plans to phase out fossil fuels.[3] IBON International similarly supports the call for Global North countries and companies to take the lead in drastically reducing emissions, based on a genuine net-zero target, including a global moratorium on oil, gas, and coal exploration and extraction projects.

At COP49, we call on Canada to:

• Strengthen its commitment to phasing out fossil fuels

2- Increase financing to protect biodiversity and address climate change

Even by their own generous accounting standards, Global North countries were three years behind on their commitment to mobilize $100 billion per year for climate action. This could have serious consequences for our ability to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.[4] There is an urgent need to mobilize financial resources and support flexible and innovative financing mechanisms for populations and countries most affected by climate change and biodiversity loss.

At COP16 on biodiversity, one of the key issues will be assessing global progress in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. For it to be effective, it must be supported by solid mechanisms with additional, adequate, and accessible financing.

At COP29 on climate, the key issue will be the adoption of a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), a new commitment by states for climate financing. While a new finance target based on the real needs of communities is necessary, there must also be better allocation between mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage. For example, PACJA proposes setting a clear and quantified sub-target for adaptation within the NCQG, based on assessed needs, and ensuring that financing is adequate, does not exacerbate debt, and is easily accessible to both governments and communities. (PACJA)

At COP16 on biodiversity, we call on Canada to:

• Honor its commitments by contributing to international efforts to mobilize at least $272 billion per year for global biodiversity financing by 2030.[5]
• Ensure that the Global Biodiversity Framework is supported by sufficient, timely, and accessible financing for Indigenous groups, who are on the frontlines of biodiversity protection.

At COP29 on climate, we call on Canada to:

• Actively contribute to the adoption of an ambitious New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) that meets the needs of communities
• Triple its bilateral climate financing for the next period, from $5.3 billion (2021-2026) to $15.9 billion CAD (2026-2031), which would:

• triple financing for adaptation (to $6.36 billion);
• double financing for mitigation (to $6.36 billion);
• gradually increasing loss and damage financing to $3.18 billion.[6]

3- Increase the proportion of climate finance provided as grants rather than loans

According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), over 70% of public climate financing globally takes the form of debt and is primarily focused on climate change mitigation (rather than adaptation). For the 2015-2021 period, only 34% of Canadian climate financing was provided as grants.

According to PACJA, loans, including concessional loans, do not constitute climate finance from the North but rather a contribution from beneficiary countries.

At COP29 on climate, we call on Canada to:

• Commit to increasing grants to at least 60% of bilateral climate finance.[7]

4- Eliminate the debts of Global South countries

There is an intrinsic link between the climate crisis and the debt of by Global South countries. The extraction of natural resources is one of the main sources of tax revenue but is also linked to the debt problem and the worsening of environmental and social impacts. In this sense, the capitalist system, with its predatory logic, both financially and environmentally, is responsible for deepening these problems (Latindadd, 2024).

The growing impact of international debt has detrimental effects on the ability of Global South countries to finance essential services and to invest in climate action and biodiversity protection.

The debt of Global South countries must be canceled unconditionally, respecting their sovereignty in reallocating funds to their priorities and needs for climate, biodiversity protection, and development (IBON, 2024).[8]

Beyond the COPs, we call on Canada to:

• Ensure better access to debt-free and equitable public finance for climate and biodiversity as part of a global call for reparations for the populations most affected and made vulnerable by the climate crisis and biodiversity loss.[9]
• Limit the use of loans in its climate and biodiversity financing. The policy framework should address the interconnections between debt and climate change.

5- Protect the Amazon rainforest and Amazonian countries

The Amazon rainforest and Amazonian countries[10] are facing exacerbated challenges related to debt, climate change, and natural resource extraction. The Amazon – by far the largest tropical forest area on the planet – is critically important for biodiversity, humanity, the climate, and the Earth as a whole. It harbors one-third of the world’s plant and animal species, as well as 20% of the planet’s freshwater. It represents more than 40% of the world’s remaining tropical forests and is the largest repository of biodiversity on the planet. It is also home to 47 million people, including more than 500 Indigenous peoples, isolated tribes, and groups of African descent, making it a culturally diverse region as well.

As increasingly large areas of this forest are being deforested and burned, destroying the livelihoods of countries and Indigenous populations, disrupting ecosystems, and threatening the global climate, the Coordination Committee of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin (COICA) and the Latin American Network for Economic and Social Justice (LATINDADD) call on the international community to act before it is too late.

At COP16 on biodiversity, we call on Canada to:

• Support the adoption of a global pact to permanently protect 80% of the Amazon by 2025[11]

Beyond the COPs, we call on Canada and Global North countries to:

• Recognize the connection between, and address, the issues of debt, climate change impacts, and resource extraction in Amazonian countries through systemic changes and deep reforms of the international financial and economic system.

6- Recognize the importance of agroecological practices and ensure fair and accessible financing

Local communities have deep knowledge of the ecosystems in which they live. This expertise is often the result of generations of interaction with the land and natural resources. It is crucial to integrate this knowledge and support the agroecological practices of NGOs and local communities as pillars of food security and climate change mitigation strategies.

Currently, financing for biodiversity protection and climate action neglects agroecological initiatives led by NGOs and local communities. These initiatives, which directly address local environmental and socio-economic challenges, should be supported not only by adequate funds but also through simplified mechanisms to access them.

At COP16 on biodiversity and COP29 on climate, we call on Canada and other states to:

• Recognize the importance of agroecological practices that promote not only environmental sustainability but also food sovereignty for local communities[12]
• Ensure fair and accessible financing. Global North countries must allocate sufficient financial resources and establish an appropriate funding framework to facilitate the implementation of sustainable and innovative agroecological solutions by NGOs and local communities

7- Promote meaningful youth engagement in decision-making processes

The principle of intergenerational equity is a key concept put forward by the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN). This principle encourages fairness between generations in terms of conservation and biodiversity protection, its sustainable use, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from the use of biological resources. Intergenerational equity also means providing financial and structural means to ensure the meaningful involvement of younger generations (children and youth) in climate action and biodiversity protection decision-making processes.[13]

This concept is explicitly mentioned in the preamble of the Paris Agreement, has long been recognized as a fundamental principle of international environmental law, and is enshrined and protected in at least 63 national constitutions. However, youth participation and influence remain limited at both local and international levels.

At COP16 on biodiversity, we call on Canada and other states to:

• Integrate the principle of intergenerational equity into processes and negotiations to encourage states to consider long-term impacts and solutions.

At COP16 on biodiversity and COP29 on climate, we call on Canada and other states to:

• Provide younger generations with the means, appropriate mechanisms, and relevant spaces to participate in policymaking and decision-making processes regarding the conservation and protection of climate and biodiversity.

We call on the Government of Quebec to:

• Create a permanent Youth Advisory Committee on Climate at the National Assembly, a committee that must be independent, representative, and adequately funded.[14] After nearly three years of discussion and research, it is time to walk the talk.

8- Integrate women and gender considerations into policy and decision-making processes

The global climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and persistent gender inequality are intrinsically linked. Solutions to these challenges must go hand in hand, with everyone’s involvement. Women play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation: they are the stewards of natural resources, holders of traditional knowledge, and agents of change within their communities. Women’s groups are also key actors in climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives. Women and girls make up nearly half of the global population, yet their voices are not sufficiently heard in biodiversity and climate policy spaces.

Data shows that women do not participate equally in negotiations. In 2008, they represented only 31% of Party delegates. In 2023, at COP28, this percentage was still just 34%. It is unacceptable that in 2024, decision-making structures so important in the global climate policy ecosystem continue to undermine efforts toward gender equality.[15]

Members of the Women and Gender Constituency, one of the nine major civil society groups in the UNFCCC process, have expressed deep concern that the composition of the organizing committee for COP29 shows that gender equality in climate decision-making remains an afterthought and that gender equality is underestimated as a key consideration in climate policies. Yet for climate action to be effective and truly transformative, the respect and promotion of gender equality and women’s rights must be centered.[16]

At the COP15 on biological diversity, at least, a historic step was taken with the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This unprecedented framework includes ambitious targets, notably Target 23, which focuses on promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls in biodiversity conservation.[17]

At the COP16 on biodiversity and COP29 on climate, we call on Canada and other states to:

• Integrate gender dimensions and commit to increasing women’s and girls’ access to policy and decision-making processes to address biodiversity loss and climate change. Gender-equal, women-led solutions are a powerful pathway toward climate justice.

At COP16 on biodiversity, we call on Canada to:

• Amplify the voices of women from the Global South by integrating empowerment strategies into national laws, policies, and programs aimed at nature protection.

At COP29 on climate, we call on Canada to:

• Ensure that the gender equality work program is not only renewed but strengthened to reflect our collective commitment to gender equality and effective solutions to the climate crisis.

References

[1]Climate Action Network International, 2023. Climate Action Network Position: The world needs a fair, fast, full, and funded fossil fuel phase-out. https://climatenetwork.org/resource/climate-action-network-position-the-world-needs-a-fair-fast-full-and-funded-fossil-fuel-phase-out/

[2]Radio Canada, 2023. COP28 : les pays lancent « le début de la fin » des énergies fossiles. https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2034553/cop28-compromis-historique-energies-fossiles

[3]PACJA, 2024. Recommandations du Forum consultatif multipartite au 37ème Sommet des chefs d’État de l’UA sur le renforcement de la gouvernance de l’action climatique en Afrique. https://pacja.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/French.pdf

[4]Oxfam international, 2023. 2023 : les vrais chiffres des financements climat. https://policy-practice.oxfam.org/fr/resources/2023-les-vrais-chiffres-des-financements-climat-evaluation-du-respect-de-lengagement-de-100-milliards-de-dollars/

[5]The Nature Conservancy et UICN, 2023. Bonnes pratiques pour la réalisation de l’objectif 30×30. https://www.nature.org/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/documents/DEFRA-30×30-FRENCH_OCT-23-new-intro.pdf

[6]AidWatch Canada et Canadian Coalition on Climate Change and Development (C4D), 2024. An Overview of Canadian International Climate Finance, 2015/16 to 2023/24: Key Trends and Future Directions. https://aidwatchcanada.ca/canadian-climate-finance/

[7] Ibid.

[8]IBON International, 2024. Global Call Global Call for Reparations and Real Solutions: Climate Advocacy and Campaign Briefer. https://climatejusticehub.org/2024/09/12/global-call-for-reparations-and-real-solutions-climate-advocacy-and-campaign-concept-note/#:~:text=The%20Global%20Call%20for%20Reparations,North%20on%20the%20global%20South.

[9]Latindadd, 2024. Amazonía, entre la deuda, la crisis climática y el extractivismo. https://latindadd.org/justicia-climatica/amazonia-entre-la-deuda-la-crisis-climatica-y-el-extractivismo/

[10] The Amazon rainforest extends over eight countries: Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru and Venezuela.

[11]COICA, 2024. Amazonía por la vida: protejamos 80% al 2025. Evitando el punto de no retorno. https://80×25.coicamazonia.org/

[12]SPONG, 2024. Revendication du SPONG à la COP16.

[13]GYBN, 2022. GYBN Policy Work on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. https://www.gybn.org/post2020

[14]AQOCI, 2023. Document de plaidoyer de l’AQOCI pour le COP28. https://aqoci.qc.ca/cop-28-plaidoyer-de-laqoci/

[15]Women & Gender Constituency, 2024. Gender justice must be centered in COP29 outcomes. https://womengenderclimate.org/gender-justice-must-be-centered-in-cop29-outcomes/

[16]Ibid

[17]Women4Biodiversity, 2023. Égalité de genre dans la convention sur la diversité biologique. https://www.women4biodiversity.org/publications/