COP-15 and Beyond: Bridging the Water and Climate Change Agenda
The side event organized jointly by the Global Public Policy Network on Water Management (GPPN), a joint initiative of Stakeholder Forum and Stockholm International Water Institute, and the Global Water Partnership (GWP) yesterday attracted crowds of participants who took part in a lively discussion and panel debate on how to bridge the water and climate agendas.
Ainun Nishat of IUCN Bangladesh, also a member of the Bangladesh delegation, shared his views on the importance of water for national and regional level adaptation, and outlined elements of the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan. Hannah Stoddart of the GPPN (Stakeholder Forum) outlined the key messages on water and climate change adaptation for the consideration of negotiators, and referred to priority paragraphs of the latest draft adaptation text. John Matthews of WWF stressed that adaptation is a process rather than a stand-alone concept, and emphasized the need for integration and freshwater ecosystem preservation. Karin Lexen, SIWI highlighted the link between climate change impacts on the water cycle and the achievement of the human right to water, pointing towards the new Position Paper that has been issued by the Independent Expert. The event was chaired and moderated dynamically by Mike Muller of the Global Water Partnership, who fielded a number of constructive questions from the floor that stimulated some excellent debate. Ania Grobicki, Executive Secretary of the Global Water Partnership, wrapped up the meeting with a positive call for concerted action on water and climate change beyond COP15.
The side event was selected for webcast and will be available shortly through the following link: http://www2.cop15.meta-fusion.com/kongresse/cop15/templ/ovw.php?id_kongressmain=1&theme=unfccc
The event was also featured in Earth Negotiations Bulletin: http://www.iisd.ca/climate/cop15/enbots/
GPPN issues latest response to draft adaptation text
The GPPN has issued a response to the draft adaptation text as of 9.30am on 9th December. It is available to download here: http://gppn.stakeholderforum.org/fileadmin/files/GPPN_2008-9/GPPN_Response_to_Draft_text_on_Adaptation_091209.doc
The GPPN is pleased to see an additional reference to water in the will continue to issue responses as the text changes.
Press and Media
The GPPN held a successful press conference on Tuesday 8th December, with contributions from Hannah Stoddart and Karin Lexen of the GPPN, Ania Grobicki of the GWP and John Matthews of WWF. The press conference sent a strong message for a more clearly defined vision for adaptation, with water at its heart. You can access the webcast of the press conference here: http://www3.cop15.meta-fusion.com/kongresse/cop15/templ/play.php?id_kongressmain=1&theme=unfccc&id_kongresssession=2316
GPPN together with GWP also secured a front page article in the daily conference newsletter, Outreach, making the case for why it is critical that strong references to water are included in any outcome on adaptation from COP15: http://www.stakeholderforum.org/fileadmin/files/Outreach_issues_2009/091209-outreach-color.pdf
The GPPN at COP15
The GPPN is a joint initiative of Stakeholder Forum and Stockholm International Water Institute, working with global stakeholders to raise the profile of water in the climate change negotiations. It is holding daily meetings at COP15, in the café area to the left as you approach the media centre from Hall E.
Read more: Other SIWI events during COP-15.
Learn more about SIWI's ongoing work with water and climate issues leading up the COP-15 negotiations here.
SIWI Resources on Water & Climate
Adapting Water Management to Climate Change
Policy Brief by the Swedish Water House Cluster Group for Water and Climate
Water Adaptation in National Adaptation Programmes for Action
Report by the UNDP Water Governance Facility at SIWI
