Appeal to Copenhagen Climate Conference

Strasbourg, 2 November 2009 

To the Presidents of the AER member regions 

Dear President, 

Limiting global temperature rise is an immense and urgent challenge that will require  an unprecedented level of collaboration and cooperation among all levels of government around the world. Regional governments are an important part of this  equation as drivers for innovation and implementers of climate policies. As the world prepares for the United Nations (UN) Climate Conference in Copenhagen, it is crucial that the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (i.e., national governments) recognize the roles of sub-national leaders in achieving our common climate goals. 

While only national governments can negotiate at the UN Climate Conference, nations increasingly recognize the contributions of their sub-national leaders. Various levels of government (either named specifically or through references to “all levels” of government) are mentioned approximately 100 times.  Currently, sub-national governments are mentioned in all areas covered by the preparatory Working Group, namely “shared vision”, “adaptation”, “mitigation”, “finance”, “technology transfer” and “capacity-building”. 

It should be kept in mind, however, that the text presents the various and sometimes contradictory options submitted by the Parties as well as terminology that has not been accepted by all.  Therefore, current references to sub-national governments may not remain in the final outcome document (whatever form it may take). 

Therefore, sub national governments should continue and reinforce their efforts to seek support from other sub-national and national governments in order to make sure that the references remain in the final text to be adopted in Copenhagen in December. 

To that end, AER member regions need to approach their respective national governments and ask them to ensure at the negotiations in Barcelona (November 2- 6, 2009) and Copenhagen (December 2009) that regional governments are sufficiently taken into consideration when designing a new climate change protocol. 

This concerns also the provision of sufficient funds for regional governments to implement the protocol.  

In order to help you advocating this position with your national governments, we have attached a draft of a resolution that you could forward to your respective national governments. 

Sincerely, 

Michèle Sabban 

AER President
Vice President of Ile-de-France