20111128 - Conference of Parties CoP17
written by YEPs Mikayla Bader and Shruti Neelakantan
The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will be held in the sunny city of Durban, South Africa from 28 November - 9 December 2011.
The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the governing body of the Convention, and advances implementation of the Convention through the decisions it takes at its periodic meetings. The Conference of the Parties has been held in 16 countries with a focus on Climate Change and shifting policies (mitigation and adaptation). The last two conferences inCopenhagen and Cancun respectively have caused quite a stir among the nations resulting in various heated discussions and some successful policy implementations. The COP 17 will be held in Durban this year and is a crucial meeting as the one of the agenda of the meeting will be to find alternative measures after the Kyoto Protocol ends next year.
South African YEP, Mikayla Bader, whose life has personally been affected by coal mining in South Africa will be attending WWF South Africa’s event on Tuesday 6th of December where the subject will be “How can SA move to a low carbon economy - when we have been addicted to coal for so long?”
Subjects to be covered include:
- Coal & SA’s economic growth – how we got to where we are
- Coal costs more than carbon – the heavy price paid by South Africa’s scarce water resources
- Coal cleaning up its act – new technologies for cleaner coal-energy
- The realities of the transition to the low carbon economy
- Responding to the coal-water nexus and lessons for Green Growth
The event will take the form of presentations and a panel discussion with:
- Bill Lamont – President, Fossil Fuel Foundation of Africa
- Dr. Christine Colvin – Senior Manager, Fresh Water, WWF
- Dave Collins – Climate change and energy consultant
- Saliem Fakir – Head of the Living Planet Unit, WWF
The proceedings will be facilitated by Dr. Deon Nel, Head of the Biodiversity Unit, WWF
The intended outcome is a better awareness of the complexities of the situation for South Africa and its coal industry, and an improved common vision of what needs to be done in the future.
Mikayla will then attend a “Discussion on New and Renewable Energy Technologies – fostering sustainable development in Africa”
“I am thoroughly look forward to this opportunity and to gaining valuable knowledge as to how we as South Africans can start looking forward to a greener future specifically in terms of finding an alternative, renewable and sustainable energy sources. I am also excited to share what I learn with you.”
Young Explorer from India Shruti has also been selected and nominated to be an Indian Delegate by the organaization 350.org. She has received accreditation to attend the second week of COP17 in Durban.
In the capacity youth, there have been many contributing in educating people, doing projects with government, conducting projects (small scale and medium scale) locally. Though we could take this further and make a document which promotes Article 6 of the framework within our network and in India. "My main agenda in Durban is to take this article up and do a paper about this Article along with Success stories and suggested amendments. I also intend to make use of my communication skills to network and initiate and look out for prospective projects."
Shruti also plans to attend the various sessions in the COP 17 and bring back lots of information for the YEP's.
For more information on COP17, visit, http://www.cop17-cmp7durban.com/ If you have any questions or comments please contact Mikayla and Shruti
Conference of Parties CoP17 with YEPs Mikayla and Shruti 
