E3G

Gleneagles Dialogue in Monterrey: Views from Civil Society

By Jennifer Morgan

The Gleneagles Dialogue on Climate Change, Clean Energy and Sustainable Development was initated under the UK Presidency of the G8 in 2005. The dialogue held its second ministerial meeting in Monterrey, Mexico from 2–4 October 2006.

Jennifer Morgan attended the meeting in her new role as E3G’s Director of Climate and Energy Security. Prior to the meeting, Jennifer had also authored a briefing paper ‘Ensuring a Secure Climate and Energy Future: Views from Civil Society’ as part of a stakeholder engagement process run by Chatham House.

Following below are the key messages, recommendations and details of the civil society process. A copy of the full briefing paper is attached as a pdf download.

‘Ensuring a Secure Climate and Energy Future: Views from Civil Society’

Key messages

Climate change instability is already a human security issue in developing countries, with damaging climate impacts already occurring, threatening the success of poverty reduction strategies, and, according to World Bank estimates, placing 40% of international poverty reduction investment at risk.

Political will needs to be established to meet the dual challenges of climate security and energy
security at both national and international level.

The weight of new scientific evidence shows climate sensitivity is far higher than previously estimated. A concentration level of 550 ppmv CO2eq in the atmosphere is likely to bring about a 3 degree rise in temperature. A decision to target this level of concentration would pose unacceptable risks, especially to the poorest and most vulnerable peoples and ecosystems; it is also likely to increase the already significant level of instability in our societies.

Stabilization at 400–450 ppmv CO2eq is consistent with targeting a rise of 2 degrees C relative to preindustrial levels, providing the best chance of safeguarding the livelihoods and security of the poorest in the most vulnerable parts of the world, such as sub-Saharan Africa, and protecting the most vulnerable and valuable ecosystems including coral reefs and glaciers.

A robust and funded Global Adaptation Strategy is needed to help manage increasing risks to lives and livelihoods. Adaptation must be integrated directly into existing development strategies. New
insurance schemes and disaster relief schemes should be developed. Countries with the main responsibility for these impacts have primary responsibility for financing adequate global adaptation efforts.

A stable future requires a different approach to energy and climate security than has been implemented in the past. To avoid the worst impacts of climate change, a large scaling-up of effort is required, owing to the short time-frame available – approximately ten years.

A ‘2 Degrees Energy Strategy’ is both essential and realistic. This would form the basis of a comprehensive strategy to meet development goals while tackling local pollution, energy security and climate change. Achieving these combined benefits requires a change in political mindset, convergence of climate and energy security policies, and regulatory and financial frameworks capable of delivering real change.

The Kyoto Protocol provides the required base needed for a multilateral approach to climate change and should be strengthened and broadened in the next commitment period. This should be completed as quickly as possible in order to achieve carbon market security and ensure a continued price on carbon one of the key mechanisms for moving to a low-carbon future.