[SAARC ministers meeting on climate change July 3, 2008, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Statement by Patali Champika Ranawaka MP, Minister of Environment & Natural Resources,Government of Sri Lanka.]
(July 08, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Greetings from the Government and the peoples of Sri Lanka, Honourable Ministerial colleagues,
Excellencies, experts and senior government officials, distinguished invitees, ladies and gentlemen,
At the outset, I would like to take this opportunity to record our appreciation to the SAARC Secretariat and the Government of Bangladesh for organizing this important meeting on a very timely subject, especially prior to the SAARC Heads of Government Summit to be held later this month in Colombo, Sri Lanka. I also would like to thank the Government of Bangladesh, for providing excellent arrangements to host this meeting in Dhaka and also making our stay comfortable and enjoyable.
We are at a critical juncture, in terms of the survival of humanity. Climate change is considered a fundamental human development challenge which looms above the global community. The poorest countries are the most vulnerable to threats posed by the impact of climate change and some of them are in the SAARC region. Some SAARC member countries, like my own, have a highly populated coastline with extremely high productivity. But what is tragic is that these coastlines are highly susceptible to the rise in sea level. On the other hand, some member countries located in mountainous regions are also threatened by melting glaciers, which ultimately threaten freshwater resources in the SAARC region.
The SAARC region harbours nearly the 1/6th of the global population; it contributes only 3.7% to the total global CO2 emissions which equals to around 1330 million tons per year. According to the available data for 2007, the per capita CO2 emissions by SAARC countries range from 0.25-1.3, whereas the global average is 4.22.
Several studies in this regard suggest that to some extent, the so called rich countries have achieved their economic supremacy at the expense of poor countries like ours. The high living standards of people living in the West have been maintained by drawing from the ecological resources of developing countries. This phenomenon of “environmental debt” by the developed countries to the developing countries has been largely unrecognized or has not been researched well up to now.
The Human Development Index Report of the UNDP for years 2007 to 2008 suggests that the global threshold per capita emission level of CO2 is 2.1 if we are to maintain the temperature rise due to global warming below 2 degrees Celsius. Thus, those countries that exceed this level deprive low emitting countries of opportunities as well as the rights of their future generations. In this back drop, I believe expert deliberations in the past two days have led to some recommendations leading to a common regional action plan by SAARC countries to counter climate change challenges within the region.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, in keeping with this year’s UN World Environment Day theme aimed at combating global warming through change of habits, the Government of Sri Lanka has adopted a National Charter on Environmental Protection. This Charter binds all citizens of the country to a set of guidelines towards protecting and conserving the environment through individual actions. Likewise, I would like to propose to this august assembly that we consider adopting a SAARC Regional Charter on Climate Change, to address regional climate related issues through a regional cohesive approach. This Regional Charter could include the following components.
Firstly, recognition of adaptation due to climate changes as a regional priority. We believe that adaptation should be the way forward for our region to counter the impact of climate change. These adaptation strategies need to be prepared incorporating our traditional and indigenous knowledge and value systems. These traditional practices should be enhanced with necessary technology transfer and capacity building initiatives. We should initiate a process to transfer such knowledge and practices within the region for the common benefit of the peoples of this region.
Technology transfer within the region for vulnerability assessments and adaptation technologies is also another important aspect in this regard.
Secondly, recognition of the need for early implementation of an ‘Adaptation Fund’, under the auspices of the UNFCCC. The implementation procedure for the Adaptation Fund was established at the COP 13 meeting in Bali, Indonesia. However, the contribution to the Fund is only through a 2% contribution from the proceeds of the Clean Development Mechanism. Our belief is that the developed nations have a moral obligation to contribute to the Fund and we propose that contributions from the other two Kyoto Mechanisms - Joint Implementation and Emission Trading - also be channeled to the Fund.
Thirdly, pursuing a regional position on “Environmental Debt Concept”. Sri Lanka also proposes to establish a command regional position and criterion to assess the cost either in terms of monetary values or as an index to measure past accumulated “Environmental Debt” owed by the developed countries to the SAARC countries. This index could be used to estimate past environmental impacts of development activities of developed nations that have already caused natural resource depletion and environmental degradation in terms of an environmental debt to future generations, of both developing and developed countries. In the light of this, it is necessary to explore the possibilities of setting off the existing financial debts against “environmental debts”.
Fourthly, recognition of the need for a comprehensive Human Development Index. The Human Development Index (HDI) is presently being calculated to reflect an average of three independent indices, which do not take into consideration ecological or environmental concerns, poverty and climate change related issues. The new index may be termed the Sustainable Human Development Index (SHDI). We propose that we start preparing this index within the SAARC region, in order to take this concept forward.
The next important component of this Charter is the establishment of a SAARC Carbon Cartel. We need to recognize that SAARC countries are entitled to a large portion of the carbon stocks by way of an environmental capital, which have been used by developed countries, infringing the rights of present and future generations of our countries. These Carbon stocks together with Carbon credits from the process can be pooled together to form a Carbon cartel similar to the rice cartel proposed by Thailand or to OPEC of oil producing countries. Such a mechanism will allow us to price our Carbon stocks/ credits in a manner that will benefit developmental activities of our countries.
Another important aspect would be to recognize the need for promoting energy generation through renewable energy sources. It has now been proved beyond doubt that, GHG emissions from burning fossil fuel has contributed to global warming and related climate changes. We should promote renewable energy sources such as wind power, solar power, and biomass energy in order to be an example to the rest of the world on how to promote such practices. Sri Lanka has already established a Sustainable Energy Authority to promote such practices. The Government has already adopted the view that 10% of all new power generation should come from renewable energy sources. We have also declared gliricidia as a plantation crop to promote dendro power and to promote community forestry.
At the national level, we have recognized the need to incorporate climate change into national programmes. The government through the Ministry of Environment & Natural Resources has undertaken a number of national initiatives to address climate change and related issues.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, these are some building blocks for a SAARC Regional Charter on Climate Change. With the agreement of my ministerial colleagues of the SAARC family, we may further deliberate on this proposal for the consideration of the Heads of Government at the next SAARC Summit which my Government will be hosting.
Before concluding, please allow me to once again extend our sincere appreciation to the Government of Bangladesh for providing us with this excellent opportunity to debate on this very timely topic, which, will go down in the history of SAARC as landmark event in our efforts to address a global issue.
- Sri Lanka Guardian
Statement by Patali Champika Ranawaka MP, Minister of Environment & Natural Resources,Government of Sri Lanka.]
(July 08, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Greetings from the Government and the peoples of Sri Lanka, Honourable Ministerial colleagues,
Excellencies, experts and senior government officials, distinguished invitees, ladies and gentlemen,
At the outset, I would like to take this opportunity to record our appreciation to the SAARC Secretariat and the Government of Bangladesh for organizing this important meeting on a very timely subject, especially prior to the SAARC Heads of Government Summit to be held later this month in Colombo, Sri Lanka. I also would like to thank the Government of Bangladesh, for providing excellent arrangements to host this meeting in Dhaka and also making our stay comfortable and enjoyable.
We are at a critical juncture, in terms of the survival of humanity. Climate change is considered a fundamental human development challenge which looms above the global community. The poorest countries are the most vulnerable to threats posed by the impact of climate change and some of them are in the SAARC region. Some SAARC member countries, like my own, have a highly populated coastline with extremely high productivity. But what is tragic is that these coastlines are highly susceptible to the rise in sea level. On the other hand, some member countries located in mountainous regions are also threatened by melting glaciers, which ultimately threaten freshwater resources in the SAARC region.
The SAARC region harbours nearly the 1/6th of the global population; it contributes only 3.7% to the total global CO2 emissions which equals to around 1330 million tons per year. According to the available data for 2007, the per capita CO2 emissions by SAARC countries range from 0.25-1.3, whereas the global average is 4.22.
Several studies in this regard suggest that to some extent, the so called rich countries have achieved their economic supremacy at the expense of poor countries like ours. The high living standards of people living in the West have been maintained by drawing from the ecological resources of developing countries. This phenomenon of “environmental debt” by the developed countries to the developing countries has been largely unrecognized or has not been researched well up to now.
The Human Development Index Report of the UNDP for years 2007 to 2008 suggests that the global threshold per capita emission level of CO2 is 2.1 if we are to maintain the temperature rise due to global warming below 2 degrees Celsius. Thus, those countries that exceed this level deprive low emitting countries of opportunities as well as the rights of their future generations. In this back drop, I believe expert deliberations in the past two days have led to some recommendations leading to a common regional action plan by SAARC countries to counter climate change challenges within the region.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, in keeping with this year’s UN World Environment Day theme aimed at combating global warming through change of habits, the Government of Sri Lanka has adopted a National Charter on Environmental Protection. This Charter binds all citizens of the country to a set of guidelines towards protecting and conserving the environment through individual actions. Likewise, I would like to propose to this august assembly that we consider adopting a SAARC Regional Charter on Climate Change, to address regional climate related issues through a regional cohesive approach. This Regional Charter could include the following components.
Firstly, recognition of adaptation due to climate changes as a regional priority. We believe that adaptation should be the way forward for our region to counter the impact of climate change. These adaptation strategies need to be prepared incorporating our traditional and indigenous knowledge and value systems. These traditional practices should be enhanced with necessary technology transfer and capacity building initiatives. We should initiate a process to transfer such knowledge and practices within the region for the common benefit of the peoples of this region.
Technology transfer within the region for vulnerability assessments and adaptation technologies is also another important aspect in this regard.
Secondly, recognition of the need for early implementation of an ‘Adaptation Fund’, under the auspices of the UNFCCC. The implementation procedure for the Adaptation Fund was established at the COP 13 meeting in Bali, Indonesia. However, the contribution to the Fund is only through a 2% contribution from the proceeds of the Clean Development Mechanism. Our belief is that the developed nations have a moral obligation to contribute to the Fund and we propose that contributions from the other two Kyoto Mechanisms - Joint Implementation and Emission Trading - also be channeled to the Fund.
Thirdly, pursuing a regional position on “Environmental Debt Concept”. Sri Lanka also proposes to establish a command regional position and criterion to assess the cost either in terms of monetary values or as an index to measure past accumulated “Environmental Debt” owed by the developed countries to the SAARC countries. This index could be used to estimate past environmental impacts of development activities of developed nations that have already caused natural resource depletion and environmental degradation in terms of an environmental debt to future generations, of both developing and developed countries. In the light of this, it is necessary to explore the possibilities of setting off the existing financial debts against “environmental debts”.
Fourthly, recognition of the need for a comprehensive Human Development Index. The Human Development Index (HDI) is presently being calculated to reflect an average of three independent indices, which do not take into consideration ecological or environmental concerns, poverty and climate change related issues. The new index may be termed the Sustainable Human Development Index (SHDI). We propose that we start preparing this index within the SAARC region, in order to take this concept forward.
The next important component of this Charter is the establishment of a SAARC Carbon Cartel. We need to recognize that SAARC countries are entitled to a large portion of the carbon stocks by way of an environmental capital, which have been used by developed countries, infringing the rights of present and future generations of our countries. These Carbon stocks together with Carbon credits from the process can be pooled together to form a Carbon cartel similar to the rice cartel proposed by Thailand or to OPEC of oil producing countries. Such a mechanism will allow us to price our Carbon stocks/ credits in a manner that will benefit developmental activities of our countries.
Another important aspect would be to recognize the need for promoting energy generation through renewable energy sources. It has now been proved beyond doubt that, GHG emissions from burning fossil fuel has contributed to global warming and related climate changes. We should promote renewable energy sources such as wind power, solar power, and biomass energy in order to be an example to the rest of the world on how to promote such practices. Sri Lanka has already established a Sustainable Energy Authority to promote such practices. The Government has already adopted the view that 10% of all new power generation should come from renewable energy sources. We have also declared gliricidia as a plantation crop to promote dendro power and to promote community forestry.
At the national level, we have recognized the need to incorporate climate change into national programmes. The government through the Ministry of Environment & Natural Resources has undertaken a number of national initiatives to address climate change and related issues.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, these are some building blocks for a SAARC Regional Charter on Climate Change. With the agreement of my ministerial colleagues of the SAARC family, we may further deliberate on this proposal for the consideration of the Heads of Government at the next SAARC Summit which my Government will be hosting.
Before concluding, please allow me to once again extend our sincere appreciation to the Government of Bangladesh for providing us with this excellent opportunity to debate on this very timely topic, which, will go down in the history of SAARC as landmark event in our efforts to address a global issue.
- Sri Lanka Guardian
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