The much-talked climate conference, dubbed as COP21, starts here today for two weeks aimed at striking a global deal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and face the challenges of the adverse impact of climate change.
The UNFCCC 21st conference of the parties (COP21) is scheduled to be opened in presence of over 140 heads of state and government during the “Leaders Event” as expected by the host government of France.
While Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier cancelled her tour, the recent violent attacks in Paris are being considered to have encouraged others to come here – including presidents Barack Obama, Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi.
Environment and Forest Minister Anwar Hossain Manju will lead the Bangladesh delegation in the conference.
Unlike in Copenhagen, the French organisers are bringing in the leaders at the beginning of the conference. Around 40,000 people are expected to participate in the event, which runs until December 11.
The French authorities beefed up security measures as they did not allow the climate marches planned yesterday to avert risks.
Pre-COP preparatory meetings of the least developed countries, the small island developing states, the African states and the Group of 77+China were going on at the Unesco headquarters in Paris.
Over the last few days, there has been a flurry of pre-COP preparatory meetings by all the negotiating groups in preparation for the final round of negotiations, said Dr Saleemul Huq, fellow at the International Institute of Environment and Development (IIED) and director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD).
Now in Paris, Saleemul said everyone is anticipating the formal opening with the heads of government coming for the inaugural session.
Bangladesh will be part of the Climate Vulnerable Forum group led by President Aquino of the Philippines who will announce their Manila-Paris Declaration calling for the Long Term Goal of 1.5 Degrees, he added.
In the first week, the delegates would hold discussions and try to narrow down the draft text issued at the end of the last session in Bonn, while the second week is for political negotiation to hammer out eventual disagreements.
The key issues to be determined in Paris will be the system to review and scale up emission reductions over time, together with a long-term goal, climate finance, a loss and damage mechanism and the legal force of the Paris Agreement.
Demonstrations
Thousands of environment activists and civil society groups from around the globe formed a human chain in Paris for an hour from 12 noon yesterday.
“We joined hands today [Saturday] against climate change and violence,” said Hoda Baraka, global communications manager for 350.org. “… a clear message for world leaders: keep fossil fuels in the ground and finance a just transition to 100% renewable energy.”
The human chain stretched from the Oberkampf metro stop, where the tragic attacks of November 13 took place. As the gathering took place in Paris, hundreds of thousands of people took part in Global Climate Marches around the world.
After the November 13 attacks, the French authorities banned all demonstrations, including the planned Paris Climate March.
Members of the Climate Coalition 21, an alliance organising the march, pulled together the human chain as a last minute alternative.
