WRI Events at UNFCCC COP19

World Resources Institute staff will be participating in the following events and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 19th Conference of the Parties in Warsaw, Poland. Find out more about WRI's work related to the UNFCCC at www.wri.org/cop19.

Also see Warsaw Climate Finance Series events list.

Reducing emissions and growing the economy – the Nordic way

Lead Organizer: CONCITO
Contact: Taryn Fransen
When: Friday, November 15, 2013, 20:00 – 22:00
Location: Warsaw
Description: The Nordic countries are often seen as "green" in respect of both a good environment and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. During the last decades, the Nordic countries have implemented ambitious energy and climate policies. At the same time, economic growth has been relatively strong – even through the current economic crisis. How has this been possible? What policies have been the most effective? Can these policies be implemented in other countries? Within the framework of the Open Climate Network, think tanks from Sweden, Norway, and Denmark present a report highlighting some of the more efficient climate policies from the Nordic countries. Nordic Energy Technology Perspectives 2013 will show how the Nordic region can achieve a carbon-neutral energy and transport system in 2050. It is the first ever regional edition of the International Energy Agency’s (IEA’s) renowned global publication Energy Technology Perspectives (ETP).
Speakers: Introduction – Representative from the Nordic Council of Ministers • Presentation of the Open Climate Network - Taryn Fransen, Project Director for Open Climate Network – World Resources Institute • Nordic Climate Policy – a case study on efficient policy measures – Susanne Krawack, Chief Consultant – Concito Jakop Dalunde, Programme Director – Fores Camilla Skriung, Policy Advisor – Zero • IEA’s Nordic Energy Technology Perspectives – A carbon-neutral energy system by 2050 – Benjamin Donald Smith, Senior Advisor – Nordic Energy Research • Panel discussions and interventions from the audience.

Japan Pavilion Side Event: Guidebook on NAMA-based experiences in Asia and the World

Contact: Benoit Lefevre, Holger Dalkmann
When: Friday, November 15, 2013, 18:30 – 20:00
Location: Japanese Pavilion
Release of the OECC NAMA handbook, EMBARQ (WRI) expert Benoit Lefevre will speak about EMBARQ Mexico’s experience with transport NAMAs.

Development and Climate Day

Contact: Pieter Terpstra
When: Saturday, November 16, 2013, 9:30 – 18:00
The Development and Climate Days will convene on the margins of COP 19, andare organized by the Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). WRI will co-organize a reception on adaptation finance accountability in the evening and participate in the 'World Cafe' meeting in the morning (09:30 - 11:00).

UIC and EMBARQ Mexico "Sustainable Transport Systems- solutions to the challenge of climate change mitigation and adaptation"

Lead Organizer: UIC and EMBARQ Mexico
Contact: Benoit Lefevre
When: Saturday, November 16, 2013, 11:30 – 13:00
Location: National Stadium, Room Wroclaw
Description: Railways are the backbone of sustainable transport systems. This event will present case studies and examples to illustrate how investment in rail can provide solutions to the challenges of climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Speakers:

• Willy Bontinck, Belgian Railways & UIC Sustainability Chairman
• Szymon Grabowski, Director of Infrastructure, Polish Intercity
• Ewa Makosz, Director of Environment Protection, Polish Railways
• Luis Munozcano, General Director for Climate Change, Ministry of Environment Mexico

IGES side event - "Making Nationally-determined Contributions Operational and More Ambitious."

Lead Organizer: IGES, WRI
Contact: Kelly Levin, Jennifer Morgan
When: Saturday, November 16, 2013, 16:00 – 17:30
Location: Japanese Pavilion
Description: Many Parties, including developed and developing countries, support the idea of "nationally-determined commitments" to mitigate climate change with some form of international consultation. This event discusses and explores specific steps and time frames that aim to add ex-ante clarity to nationally-determined mitigation contributions and enhance their levels of ambition. Various options for the process through which mitigation ‘commitments or offers’ would be put forward, reviewed, and possibly re-submitted will be discussed. More information found here.

First Official COP 19 Transport Day

Lead Organizer: SloCat, EMBARQ (WRI) and Btg
Contact: Benoit Lefevre, Holger Dalkmann
When: Sunday, November 17, 2013, 9:00 – 19:00
Location: Hyatt Regency Hotel
The objectives of Transport Day 2013 are:

1. To demonstrate the contribution that transport can make to mitigation and adaptation, specifically in the context of sustainable development;
2. To promote the integration of transport in policy making on climate change mitigation and adaptation under the UNFCCC;
3. To ensure that evolving modalities for financing, capacity building, and technology transfer under the UNFCCC are appropriate for the transport sector.

Outcome – Transport Day 2013: "Warsaw statement on Sustainable, Low Carbon Transport" that will be communicated to Parties to the UNFCCC as input to the ongoing negotiations as well as other decision makers on transport, climate change, and sustainable development. This can include the Open Working Group (OWG) established by the UN General Assembly to develop proposals for Sustainable Development Goals as well as the Leaders Summit on Climate Change to be organized by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. The draft Warsaw statement will be circulated prior to the meeting and final draft will be adopted in the closing session of the meeting.

Target Group – Transport Day 2013: This event will be part of COP 19, which because of its nature has a very strong climate orientation. Primary target group will be the Climate Change community (negotiators as well as organizations and persons trying to influence the ongoing negotiations. It is equally important, however, that the transport community internalizes climate change in its policies and activities. They therefore form an almost as important secondary target group. Transport Day 2013 very much has the ambition to create a dialog between the climate and the transport community. Special efforts will be made to ensure that the transport community is well represented at Transport Day 2013 (which so far has not always been the case).

Ecosystem conservation and restoration for healthy and productive landscapes

Lead Organizer: Convention on Biological Diversity, Secretariat, as part of the Global Landscapes Forum
Contact: Santamaria Catalina (catalina.santamaria@cbd.int)
When: Sunday, November 17, 2013, 15:00 – 17:30
Location:  University of Warsaw, Old Library Hall
Description: The Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) sets quantitative global targets to reduce the loss of natural habitats, restore degraded areas, and improve protected area networks. A Panel will present views on how an integrated approach to Aichi Targets 5, 11, and 15 can be achieved that will contribute to the achievement of other Targets, which meet critical socio-economic priorities.
Participants: Lars Laestadius from WRI will present an overview of the potential for ecosystem restoration and its benefits, and moderate the exchange of views among participants, which include (among others) Braulio Dias, the Executive Secretary of the CBD Secretariat, Eduardo Rojas, the Head of FAO’s Forestry Department, and Carlos Scaramuzza, Director of the Biodiversity Conservation Department at the Brazilian Ministry of Environment.

High-level Summit Forum on Combating Climate Change

Lead Organizer: NRDC, WRI
Contact: Lijin Zhong
When: Monday, November 18, 2013, 9:00 – 10:30
Location: "China Pavilion L01-06-73，L01-08-71"
Description: Summit forum on Combating Climate Change organized by National Development and Reform Commission of China. Invited speakers: NDRC, World Bank, GEF, WRI, SDC, ADB, UNDP, FCO, R20. Audience members: representatives from China delegation, international organizations, research institutes, government, NGOs, etc. Andrew Steer is expected to attend this summit and address opening remarks with Vice Minister Xie and other high level representatives. Andrew will speak on enhanced cooperation between China and international organization to tackle climate change – and on how WRI cooperates with international and Chinese partners to help China combat climate change.

WRI-UNGC High-level Business segment: Launch of Corporate Engagement for Climate Policy

Lead Organizer: WRI, UNGC
Contact: Elliot Metzger, Yamide Dagnet
When: Tuesday, November 19, 2013, 9:00 – 14:00
Location: Sofitel Warsaw Victoria Hotel
Held over two days, the Forum will provide a multi-stakeholder platform for dialogue and action among business, investors, civil society, the UN, and government officials. The second day of the Forum will feature a high-level meeting on corporate climate leadership convening chief and senior business executives, Ministers, and heads of government delegations. Nearly 400 participants are expected to attend, with UN heads participating in key aspects of the event.

ThinkTank Forum: Outlook for 2020

Lead Organizer: NCSC
Contact: Lijin Zhong, Andrew Steer
When: Tuesday, November 19, 2013 13:00 – 14:45
Location: China Pavilion (L01-06-73，L01-08-71)
Description: Organized by NCSC, the first official side event about the design of the 2015 agreement. Minister Xie will deliver opening remarks, followed by both Chinese and international think tank speakers, including WRI President Andrew Steer.
Participants: Facilitator: LI Junfeng, Director of NCSC. Speakers: Minister Xie Zhenghua; Prof ZOU Ji (NCSC); Laurance Tubiana,  Director of French Institution of International Relation and Sustainable Development; DU Xiangwan, Director of the National Climate Change Advisory Committee; Prof HE Jiankun, Tsinghua Univeristy; Madam LIU Yanhua, the Councellor to State Council of China, the former special Envoy to Climate Change.

Cities Action in Tacking Climate Change

Lead Organizer: WRI, NDRC, Vanke and WWF
Contact: Lijin Zhong
When: Wednesday, November 20, 9:00 – 9:40 3
Location: China Pavilion (L01-06-73，L01-08-71)
Description: An event co-organized by WRI, NDRC, Vanke, and WWF that addresses the opening with Vice Minister Xie Zhenhua/NDRC, Mr.Wang Shi/Board Chairman of Vanke, and Samantha Smith/Leader of Global Climate and Energy Initiative of WWF International. Speakers will include: Vice Minister Xie, Mr. Wang Shi (Board Chairman of Vanke), and Samantha Smith, Leader of Global Climate and Energy Initiative, WWF International) with WRI President Andrew Steer giving opening remarks.