Caribbean negotiators determined to succeed at COP21 in Paris

The Secretary General of CARICOM, Irwin LaRocque is among Caribbean negotiators in Paris
The Secretary General of CARICOM, Irwin LaRocque is among Caribbean negotiators in Paris

They have come to Paris in “full force” with “a determination to succeed”. But whether that optimism will translate into an acceptable agreement for Caribbean leaders and negotiators remains to be seen.

The Secretary General of CARICOM, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque told Caribbean News Service (CNS) on the side-lines of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21), the region wants to ensure that the Paris agreement has enshrined in it, a provision for review every five years: “There ought to be transparency in terms of the commitments that countries make to this and I would hope that the commitments that the developed countries have made to provide financing are commitments that they will honour and I dare add that such commitments to provide financing should not be tied up in all the bureaucratic manoeuvrings to access these financing.”

Ambassador LaRocque added that: “We also feel very strongly that the vulnerability that our countries exhibit should be a major criteria for accessing those resources and not per capita income. We already have seen signs that some donors, some developing partners, even when they’re providing climate financing, are selecting who they provide the assistance to, based on per capita income and that is not something that we would like to see at all. As a matter of fact we are dead against that. Climate change does not know per capita income. We are vulnerable and the assistance must be provided on the basis of our vulnerability.”

CARICOM is a 15-member political and economic union comprising small, developing, climate-vulnerable islands and low-lying nations. Climate change is an extremely important issue for the region and leaders have long held the position that the situation must be addressed as it has already begun to impact the region.

The Secretary General of CARICOM added that some of the very critical issues facing the region include the issue of global warming in particular and what should be an appropriate target for the Caribbean to try to achieve: “We are currently experiencing severe climatic events in our region so we know that climate change is upon us and we certainly cannot leave here without some indication or some setting of a goal of seeking to achieve 1.5 degrees (Celsius) for the continued survival of our region of Small Island Developing States. There is also the issue that we are currently experiencing loss and damage from these weather events. So we would also like to see reflected in an agreement such as this the recognition of the principle of loss and damage which is to be addressed going forward. Adequate financing must be provided so that our countries could first and foremost adapt to also address the issue of loss and damage.”

The CARICOM Secretary General echoed the call of the region’s leaders that the special circumstances of Small Island Developing States must also be reflected within the context of an agreement coming out of Paris: “We are here in full force. As you would have seen earlier this week, a number of our Prime Ministers addressed the meetings. Two of our Prime Ministers have remained here and have engaged in some very meaningful bilaterals on behalf of the region. Our ministers have begun to come in and they will take over in the sense of the political negotiations into next week. I feel we’re very well represented. We have a cohesive and coherent position going forward and we are negotiating in all of the realms that exist.”

The CARICOM Secretary General is also “very hopeful”, noting that: “we cannot be engaged in this without being hopeful”. He pointed out that there are a number of countries who share in various combinations some of the issues being put forward by the Caribbean: “Of course a negotiation is exactly that, a negotiation. And you have to seek to find compromise and we are seeing compromise across a number of countries. But I think we are here with the capacity to negotiate and a determination to succeed and I think that will see us through to next week. Let’s see what it brings next week Friday or Saturday when we rise from here.”

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9 Comments

  1. Morals&Dogma
    December 4, 2015

    But what kind of prime minister we have in Dominica, seems going to macau is more important than global warming.

  2. Jesus_Was_A_Captalist
    December 4, 2015

    De global warming scam, now re-named “climate change” to dodge embarrassment. Third world nations must stop being lapdogs for the developed world. Science is supposed to make up hypotheses to explain facts, then test the hypothesis by experimentation and observation. In practice, certain scientific dogmas become entrenched like religious dogmas without proof, and denying them calls forth persecution and a partisan lynch mob, not honest evaluation. :-P

  3. GMVL
    December 3, 2015

    ‘Compensation’ for loss and damage will likely continue to be rejected as long as there is no way of limiting liability – this is a global phenomenon and the cost to developed countries will add up. Argue the case for increasing the adaptation and mitigation fund and relaxing the terms of access to funding, citing economic setbacks suffered from singular climatic events in recent years.

  4. who cares?
    December 3, 2015

    Dominicans are you not concerned about the absence of Skerritt, first at the recent UN General Assembly meeting in the US, and now the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 21) in Paris?

    If Erika devastated the country to the tune of over $1 billion, don’t you all think that these important UN fora would be the best, opportune times for Skerritt, as Finance Minister, to meet other leaders from around the world. Power Point presentation could be delivered showing the extent of damages to the island, to convince. Hundreds of heads of Gov’t were in attendance.

    Skerritt and his DLP lack the competence. Serious investigations are going on re. NG Lap Seng, Ashe, Lorenzo and others in that UN scandal? Remember the charges of fraud, money-laundering, bribe?

    Authorities vex with those who speak about protecting, conserving the environment. 15 acres of Cabrits Park given to foreign firm. EIA? After Erika, Petro Caribe fuel tanks now in the middle of Belfast River. who cares?

  5. shaka zulu
    December 3, 2015

    As I said in earlier post the Caribbean leadership is more concerned about how much money they can get than combating the real effects of global warming. The key work is finances. I see above they want no strings attached and review every five years. You guy wonder why the Caribbean will never get anywhere!!! The mindset is messed up. From my sifocol geography education I could tell you most of what you need t know about global warming and what needs to be done. The planet is a living organism, which we are part of, and will react to changes to maintain equilibrium. It has had hot spells and cool spells before just like it has had earthquakes and volcanoes and floods etc.. All we here to do is enjoy the ride. We cannot change earth. Earth changes us. It is not a disaster if no one is there.

    • Face the Facts
      December 3, 2015

      The Caribbean already has climate change and global warming, tropical weather all year round with heat, rain, hurricanes, storms and earthquakes. How much more warming could it get in those hot-weather countries?
      Think of Africa. The weather in such other countries are even hotter than the Caribbean islands.
      There are some people in those big countries who could not care less about climate change and global warming. Since this is being pursued, people are somehow involved. They leave it up to their government to do all the talking and enact rules and regulations.
      Nationals are struggling to make ends meet for themselves and their family as taxes and items increase. Unemployment rate is high. The employed hardly ever get an annual salary increase, if not at all. The cost of living is escalating. These are other reasons why some of them are merely concerned and some others are not concerned at all. They are too busy with their personal affairs.

  6. anonymous2
    December 3, 2015

    Climate change is a fraud perpetuated on the ignorant and endorsed by politicians who want to be in the \’in\” crowd of power brokers.

  7. Tout Twelle
    December 3, 2015

    Even if Dr Kenny Anthony is the lead spokesman, no statement from the Dominica contingent? A country that was so devastated recently as a direct result of climate change?

    • Face the Facts
      December 3, 2015

      I wonder if the result of TS Erika is climate change. Were nationals not complaining about the heat and lack of rain? What would you say about hurricane David?
      From time to time hurricane, storms and earthquakes hit which may have nothing to do with climate change and global warming.

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