COP17 VIDEOS: World experts speak on climate change

THE Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership hosted a series of high-level COPpuccinos, sponsored by Nedbank. The brief interviews feature world-class experts on sustainability sharing their thoughts on COP17 and the progress made.

COPpuccino videos at COP17: Christiana Figueres

Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, in conversation with Professor Richard Calland, CPSL Senior Associate. In this interview, Ms Figueres shares her thoughts on the significance of the COP, its role in the revolutionary process of change, and the contribution of the private sector.

COPpuccino videos at COP17: Christiana Figueres 2

Christiana Figueres follows the interview with Professor Richard Calland by taking part in a Q&A session. In a personal and emotional contribution, Ms Figueres shows her passion for her role in the COP and explains why she is committed to change, and that there is no Plan B.

COPpuccino videos at COP17: Kumi Naidoo

Kumi Naidoo, Executive Director of Greenpeace International, talks about civil disobedience and the need for business to be a part of the solution. Kumi calls for a "painless tax" and suggests that until business understands that it must deliver value to future generations and that the pace of change must speed up dramatically, the climate change crisis will not be averted.

COPpuccino video: Stefan Raubenheimer & Laurence Brahm

Stefan Raubenheimer, international climate change policy facilitator, CEO of SouthSouthNorth, CDKN and MAPs, and Laurence Brahm, global activist, international mediator and leading advocate of The Himalayan Consensus - a fresh development paradigm speak to Professor Richard Calland. Stefan Raubenheimer and Laurence Brahm speak about the process of the COPs and how the events have changed.

COPpuccino videos at COP17: Trevor Manuel

Trevor Manuel, South Africa's Minister for National Planning, in conversation with Professor Richard Calland, CPSL Senior Associate at The Oasis. In part 1 Trevor Manuel discusses mistrust and South Africa's energy transition. In part 2 of the interview, Trevor Manuel talks about designing the Green Climate Fund.

COPpuccino videos at COP17: Saliem Fakir & Dr Bob Scholes

Richard Calland interviews Saliem Fakir from WWF South Africa, and Dr Bob Scholes, CSIR Fellow and author in the latest IPCC report.

COPpuccino video: Sandrine Dixson-Declève & Peet du Plooy

The 6th COPpuccino interview involves the European Director of CPSL, Sandrine Dixson-Decléve, and Peet du Plooy from TIPS (Trade and Industry Policy & Strategies).

COPpuccino videos at COP17: Smita Nakhooda & Nick Robins

The 7th COPpuccino introduces Smita Nakhooda of the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and Nick Robins - Head of Climate Change Centre of Excellence (HSBC). Both guests speak about pulic and private finance structures and the negotiations around these issues at COP17.

COPpuccino videos at COP17: Peter Seligmann

The 8th daily COPpuccino features Peter Seligmann, head of Conservation International talking about working with the private sector and the shift that has occured as companies take sustainability more seriously.

• All the videos above are courtesy of the Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership

THE OASIS: Fresh thinking on climate change

IT’S hard to imagine that anything sustainably substantial will come out of this year’s Cop17 (Conference of the Parties on climate change). This assumption is based on the fact that this will be the 17th attempt to reach agreement and that climate change remains a heavily heated issue with much to be done by way of solution.

Basically, if things continue the way they are with regards to industry practice and global carbon emissions, we will all be cooked within the next 20 years.

Only acting after the shit squarely hits the fan and the sea levels are on our doorsteps, seems to be the consistent tale of humanity. It is known that if you place a frog in a tub and gradually increase the temperature, the frog will not react until it quite literally boils alive.

We have come a long way since evolving from amphibian-hood and we are better equipped with knowledge and technology than we have ever been before. Let’s hope to hell that this year a real plan of action will be set in motion at Cop17. We need fresh thinking around climate change. Our lives may depend on it.

Fresh thinking on climate change

One of the central issues regarding combating climate change is that big, profit-driven businesses are often reluctant to reduce their carbon emissions if this means a reduction in profits.

But increasingly some big business is coming around to the necessity for change. This year more than 300 businesses have signed the The 2°C Challenge - a document that the Corporate Leaders Network for Climate Action – calling on governments to break the deadlock at Cop17 and reach agreement. Governments must decide how to divide up the carbon budget available to us if we want to keep global temperatures below 2 degrees (a target agreed at the last COP held in Cancun).

Obviously some countries are in a stickier position than others and this will mean a sweaty slap in the face of economic growth for many. Countries and business need to get a lot more creative if they want to find alternative ways to grow without destroying the planet.

Frustratingly, green technologies, in general, are not yet cheap enough for mass use. Older technology - specifically power-generating technologies, are still being pawned off to poorer countries such as South Africa, which puts them firmly in the category of “high carbon emitters.” Then there is the painful attitude of those who plead ignorance and deny that global warming is a scientific reality.

Perhaps what is needed is greater incentive to go green. For one, the country of Bhutan for example is one of the only countries on Earth that is actually a carbon sink. Not only that, but Bhutan’s major export is hydro-electric power. Surely such a role model to the world should be praised and rewarded?

By the same token, businesses of all shapes and sizes should not only aim to meet their new carbon budgets, but be given the incentive to go further - greater rewards for being greener than thy neighbour. But then of course there is the issue of where reward funding would come from.

It will be interesting to hear what businesses themselves have to say on such matters and what some of them aim to do in the coming decades. I’m sure we can expect a lot of PR speak and lobbyist chatter at Cop17, but much of it is likely to be interesting.

Fresh thinking on climate change

One to watch is the discussions that are set to take place at the Fresh Thinking Oasis. This will be convened by the Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership – the organisation behind the Corporate Leaders Network for Climate Action. The CPSL is also widely acknowledged to be a champion of progressive international business when it comes to sustainability issues.

While the world’s governments sweat it out next door around the negotiating table, the folk at the Oasis will be hoping to generate some fresh thinking on the old challenges in a more relaxed environment.

• To keep up to date with all the events and programmes planned for Fresh Thinking Oasis at Cop17, follow @CPSL_SA on Twitter or “like” the CPSL Cop17 Fresh Thinking Oasis Facebook page. More information is also available at www.cpsl.cam.ac.uk

** Video Gallery of COPpuccinos at COP17 **

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