The Irish Environmental Network

Bali – Mark Rutledge, Feasta

Guide to getting the best from the COP. I put this together so on the occasion of our next visit that the individual travelling can maximise their time. The whole event can be quite over-whelming and indeed feel like a commercial tradefair on occasion, but it is where the action is and the best opportunity to contribute with a freedom of expression.

PLANNING
COPs take a long time; for what Feasta are out to achieve it is best to kickstart on the first day of opening and finish up by mid-second week. I arrived late in the first week and stayed for the second week. The middle Sunday is a close day but every other day it is business as usual.

Bring printed material from Feasta, there is an opportunity to spread our gospel. DVDs or credit-cards DVDs are a very eye-catching way of disseminating information.

Get accommodation close by, there is a lot of hoofing between different parts and proceedings.
Log on to Climate-L well before the start, the e-mails will reach a torrent but you can identify useful presentations and as importantly set up meetings with research institutes bodies while at the COP (I did not best utilise this).

The UNFCC website is probably a bit behind prior to going out but nevertheless essential to review.

Another missed opportunity was to apply for a side event listing, book a room (FOC) and present something like Cap+Share – you will be guaranteed a minimum of 100 people in attendance.
WHEN THERE
Understand the alignment with the various groupings and what access that provides to sessions.

RINGOs (Feasta are a member) are given an office that you can access, to be honest with mobile and wireless probably not a lot of need but membership of the constituency does you a ready made collective to operate with. Again, I only got to 1 of their 3 meetings; it would be good to prepare this in advance, setting up meetings, presentations.

Another thing to realise is that there is a Russian Doll sequence of events: plenary proceedings, CAN (Climate Action Network – Feasta not a member), EU pavilion (whole schedule of events taking place under the aegis of the EU commission), Exhibition (a trade fair of NGO, UN bodies etc.), Side events (10 rooms of 200-300 people with a daily opportunity to 40 events at peak from scientific events to industry bodies). The latest addition to the COP has been the creation of a Carbon trade fair running parallel on site.

I would recommend following a specific theme throughout the COP and create your meeting schedule around that theme. Personally, I did not do this and upon review of my notes have a very eclectic sequence of meetings.

The first thing to do every day is to get your hands on the daily schedule of meetings, events etc. and plot your day around that.

Wireless access is freely available, mobile phone access a bit sketchy here in Bali but it won’t be problem in Poznan.

Personally, I do not have experience of blogs, but an 8-10 day trip like this lends itself very well for a blog.

My time in Bali allowed me create a contacts list based on meetings and individuals presenting at side events. The intention is to use this list for a targeted mail shot on Cap+Share and use it as a targeted circular for other Feasta updates. I think the e-mail could be addressed from the main office address and sent individually using the Christian names where available. The individuals listed here are from a varied list of predominantly high-profile NGOs and think-tanks and enabled some very useful exchanges.

(note: For details of these email addresses please contact EENGOCF directly)

I would propose something along the lines of:

Dear X,

Thank you for the opportunity to attend your presentation at the recent COP13 in Bali. Feasta is an independent foundation that aims to identify the characteristics (economic, cultural and environmental) of a truly sustainable society, articulate how the necessary transition can be effected and promote the implementation of the measures required for this purpose. Some of our previous work and activities can be viewed on our website http://www.feasta.org

Feasta attended the COP13 as an NGO with the express intention of promoting our instrument to reduce emissions in a fair and equitable manner. The concept is called CAP+SHARE; we have attached a PowerPoint presentation outlining the process and a more detailed paper for your perusal.
We are extremely optimistic regarding the prospect of it being incorporated in climate change policy in the future. It is under serious consideration by the Irish Government as a possible mechanism to deal with transport emissions caused by car drivers. A challenge facing the planet like climate change will never be met with a single solution but CAP+SHARE would be one such mechanism as part of pluralist response.
The advantages and the operating mechanism involved are outlined in the attached presentations. We would be very happy to discuss it in more detail with you or present at any gathering you may be planning to hold in 2008.
Questions and clarifications can be addressed back to this return e-mail address. In the meanwhile we hope that CAP+SHARE become part of your position in tackling climate change

Yours etc.
XXXX

I did speak with Liam Reid concerning Cap+Share; the department as you know is well versed with it at this point. From my discussions with him, I think the next budget will be focused on the introduction of a carbon tax; thereafter mechanisms like Cap+Share could have their day in the sun – possibly 2008 but more likely 2009. I would propose that we meet and address the strategy for promoting Cap+Share; personally I believe that it should focus on a strategic approach through politicians, professional bodies etc. rather than trying to grow some grassroots movement organically.
While effectively a novice with the Feasta organisation, are there a lot more ‘blue sky’ ideas out there that could be funnelled into a next Cap+Share concept? Again, I refer back to adoption of Cap+Share; if legislation is the end game and it appears well on its way, should we start evolving our next BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal)?

Overall, a very useful journey for C&S/Feasta. We really to establish a presence at COPs to ensure we get traction for our concepts and other position papers. It is the place where you have a captive audience and an excellent snapshot into where the debate on climate change is going. I would also recommend that we commence a formal application to join the UNFCC and probably CAN.
Mark Rutledge

Feasta/Cap & Share January 2008