December 12 at COP25: Business Support for NDCs

• By: AWMA
• On: 12/13/2019 15:19:08
• In: COP 25
• Comments: 0

12 December 2019
Reported by: Jack Broadbent, CEO and Air Pollution Control Officer, Bay Area Air Quality Management District

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How Business Can Support Governments on Their Journey to Enhance Their NDCs
 
I attended another interesting session today, hosted by NDC Partnership, on the role of business in supporting governments to meet their NDC obligations. The Director of Sustainable Growth for the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) moderated the session, beginning with a brief discussion to set the context for the conversation.  The panel was primarily composed of representatives of business organizations, including financial institutions.  Specifically, the moderator indicated that ICC already seeks to bridge the gap between countries and their NDCs, and there is currently a shortage of involvement by businesses in this space. 
 
The first speaker, a representative from Côte d'Ivoire, indicated that, at least in his country, nothing will get done unless the private sector is on board.  The business community creates the atmosphere to facilitate investment for the private sector to invest in renewable energy projects, as well as mitigation for transportation sources.  The government of Côte d'Ivoire supports the efforts of the private sector by providing lower tax structures and low interest loans for renewable energy projects and other efforts.
 
Another speaker, from the NDC Partnership, indicated that future issues relative to fulfilling countries' NDC obligations (and indeed going further) include the debt these countries are incurring and the speed by which they can implement these efforts.  A real question in his mind is, “Can the private sector be expected to reinvigorate the ambition that is needed (and called upon) here at the COP?” 
 
Additional speakers reiterated the fact that the private sector will be fundamental to the enhancement of NDCs.  The remaining speakers also emphasized the need for the COP to complete the rulebook and Article 6 so that (hopefully) a global price on carbon can be established.  Of course, this remains to be seen. 

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President Stock Taking Plenary
 
Finally, I listened to the President of the UNFCCC, Carolina Schmidt from Chile, review the state of the negotiations of COP25.  She expressed both her optimism and disappointment in the negotiations to date.  Optimistically, she is encouraged at the progress that has been made in the negotiations.  However, she expressed her disappointment in the Council of Parties not being able to complete the negotiations relative to Article 6.  This element of the Paris Agreement establishes the underlying structure allowing countries and private parties to establish emissions reduction efforts and trade them amongst parties.  Ultimately, this is believed to be crucial in creating a successful international system of carbon reductions and putting a price on carbon.  Ms. Schmidt called upon several countries that stated their concern at the state of negotiations as well.  I was particularly struck by the comments made by the island nations – they are genuinely concerned that, unless an agreement is reached and significant GHG emissions reductions are implemented, their future livelihood will be in question.