It is expected to be one of the biggest international summits on #climatechange to date. The stakes are high for #COP21 as it seeks to achieve a new international agreement on climate, applicable to all countries, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2°C.
The Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) will provide various updates and news from #COP21 where we will aim to highlight Caribbean stories from the major Conference. Keep abreast of all our updates and news right here.
#COP21 News and Updates
30/11/2015 - Caribbean Journalist, Desmond Brown of Caribbean News Service is on the ground at #COP21 (The UniteClimate Change Conference) in France, which kicked off on November 30th, 2015 with an unprecedented 150 world leaders; among them are several Caribbean leaders. Read about the opening and the critical importance of the Conference in this article: As COP21 Opens, UN Secretary General Tells World Leaders Paris Must Mark a Decisive Turning Point
01/12/2015 - News on the ground at #COP21 in France – Caribbean leaders have told their counterparts from all around the world who are gathered at #COP21, that their unique characteristics and special circumstances must be fully recognised and included as a cornerstone of a new agreement expected here next week. Read about it in this article: Caribbean Leaders Want Special Recognition in New Climate Change Agreement
02/12/2015 - Our Caribbean correspondent, Desmond Brown of the Caribbean News Service is bringing us Caribbean highlights from COP#21.
“With 80 percent of our land within one metre or five feet of mean sea level, business as usual with regard to climate change threatens the very existence of the Bahamas as we know it.” – Perry Christie, Prime Minister of The Bahamas at #COP21. Read about it in this article: The Bahamas Could Vanish if Urgent Action is not Taken to Reverse Climate Change
02/12/2015 - EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW: Dr. Spencer Thomas, Grenada’s Ambassador with responsibility for Multilateral Agreements spoke with Desmond Brown of the Caribbean News Service today on the side-lines of the UN Climate Change Conference #COP21. Dr. Thomas is worried that the region might sign on to an agreement that is not adequate.WATCH the video here.
03/12/2015 - EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW: The Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Ambassador Irwin LaRocque spoke with our correspondent Desmond Brown of Caribbean News Service today on the sidelines of #COP21 (The United Nations Climate Change Conference). 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. WATCH the video here.
03/12/2015 - “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.” Read about it in this article: Caribbean Negotiators Determined to Succeed in Paris
03/12/2015 - EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW: The Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Dr. Kenny Anthony spoke with our correspondent Desmond Brown of the Caribbean News Service today, on the side-lines of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21). He said while the on-going negotiations are “very intense and very complex” he believes there are some important signals and opportunities. WATCH the video here.
03/12/2015 - One of two Caribbean Prime Ministers present at #COP21 (The UN Climate Change Conference) has described the on-going negotiations as “very intense and very complex.” But Dr. Kenny Anthony, the Prime Minister of St. Lucia, told the @CaribbeanNewsService he believes there are some important signals and opportunities. Read about it in this article: Paris Negotiations Are Intense and Complex but Hope Flickers
04/12/2015 - We continue to bring you Caribbean stories as they happen at #COP21 (The United Nations Climate Change Conference). The head of the Ocean Governance Unit (OGU) in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Dr. Asha Singh said ‘Blue Economy’ driven by the use of marine resources will play a pivotal role in the near future as resources on the earth are getting exhausted. Read about it in this article: Towards a ‘Blue Economy’ in the OECS
04/12/2015 - EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW: This exclusive interview comes from our correspondent Desmond Brown of the Caribbean News Service who is on the ground at #COP21. Ambassador Albert Ramdin, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Suriname says Caribbean countries need to do a better job at communicating to their populations the seriousness of climate change. WATCH the video here.
06/12/2015 - “Climate change is going to create problems for the fishing community and we want to tell the developed world that not only must they be mindful of the impact of their development, we want them to understand that we in the Caribbean we need to get support.” – Horace Walters. Read about it in this article: Making the Case for Caribbean Fishers at Paris Climate Conference
07/12/2015 - Caribbean Youth are clear on their expectations from #COP21 (The United Nations Climate Change Conference). Read this article which highlights our partner, the Caribbean Youth Environment Network's (CYEN's)position on climate change and their call to action: Caribbean Youths Outline Their Expectations from COP21
08/12/2015 - Caribbean negotiators have handed over the draft version of the expected global climate change agreement to the Ministers who are expected to hammer out the final document by the end of this week at #COP21 (The United Nations Climate Change Conference). Read more about it in this article: Caribbean Negotiators Hand Over Mantle to Ministers at Climate Talks
08/12/2015 - Global Water Partnership is putting WATER on the #COP21 (The United Nations Climate Change Conference) agenda in Paris as climate change negotiations are underway. Read more about it in this article: Putting the Water Issue on the COP21 Table
09/12/2015 - Suriname’s coastline is eroding so quickly scientists predict the country’s maze of mangroves could disappear in just 30 years unless there is urgent action on climate change. Read more on this story coming out of #COP21 (The United Nations Climate Change Conference) here: Permeable Dams Prevent Land Loss and Save Mangroves in Suriname
09/12/2015 - Climate change threatens water resources and puts the world’s development goals at risk. The words of Dr. Nicole Bernex (GWP Technical Committee Member) speaking at #COP21 (The United Nations Climate Change Conference) who also stressed the importance of an Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach. Read about it in this article:
Climate Change: A Threat to Water Resources
10/12/2015 - Climate change will kill about 250,000 people globally and 600,000 in the European region annually in the coming years if it is not brought under control says Dr. Zsuzsanna Jakab (World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Europe) speaking at #COP21 (The United Nations Climate Change Conference). Read about it in this article: What you Need to Know About Your Health in a Changing Climate