Fwd: COP17 plans: Civil Society Committee for COP17 (C17)
Alex Lenferna SEACC SF Chairperson
From: <C17Sout...@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Jun 10, 2011 at 10:00 PM
Subject: COP17 plans: Civil Society Committee for COP17 (C17)
To: sea...@gmail.com
Dear Colleagues
The Civil Society Committee for COP 17 (C17) has developed an action plan for its activities in the run up to and duration of COP 17. We would like to invite you to the next broad civil society meeting to discuss these plans, which will be held in Durban on the 5th and 6th of July 2011. This will give us an opportunity to detail the way forward.
Please save the date, and we will send you a more detailed email shortly.We hope that you will be able to attend this meeting and look forward to seeing you there. In the meantime, please let Siziwe Khanyile know if you will attend. Email: C17Sout...@gmail.com
If you are in Bonn, please join Nerisha Baldevu at a side event to discuss C17 plans on 17th June 2011.
Below you will find a brief on the activities planned. The C17 proposal and a brief of planned activities is available on : www.timberwatch.org. Alternatively please request from C17Sout...@gmail.com.
Kind Regards
The Civil Society Committee for COP 17 (C17)
Joint South African civil society plans for COP17:
Invitation to participate in planning, preparation & programming
In light of South Africa’s hosting of the UNFCCC COP17 in Durban at the end of 2011, South African civil society considers it imperative to facilitate local and international civil society participation in the negotiations, and develop and highlight independent solutions to climate change.
COP17 is a significant event for South Africa and the region. It draws attention to the impacts of climate change on the continent, and provides a stage to highlight the solutions required, in terms of global emissions decline and enhancing the ability of poor and vulnerable communities to cope with the impacts of climate change.
If climate change is to be curbed significantly, governments must come to agreement on strong targets for emissions reductions at source. It is important, therefore, that civil society is able to pressure world governments to act.
Civil Society Committee for COP17 (C17)
At a January meeting of more than 80 South African environmental, social, trade union, faith community and climate justice organisations, the Civil Society Committee for COP17 (C17) was established and mandated to facilitate civil society engagement in the lead up to and at COP17. Its tasks include coordinating the Global Day of Action, coordinating the autonomous Civil Society Space, supporting mobilisation across South Africa, and providing a platform to publicise COP17 civil society events. These actions will contribute to a greatly strengthened climate justice movement.
Global Day of Action
The Global Day of Action (GDA) is a traditional and important event at the UNFCCC COPs. The primary focus is a mass march of international and national community, labour, youth, academic, religious and environmental organisations and activists to bring to the fore the need for global leaders to solve issues of climate change and environmental degradation.
Saturday 3 December, 2011
Autonomous Civil Society Space
At each COP civil society groups organise independent events, share knowledge, strategise, hold conferences and build international links for campaigns and initiatives. There is immense value in having a single precinct to meet these needs. The Civil Society Space is inclusive of all civil society, and will also be open to the general public.
26 November to 10 December 2011
C17 neither endorses nor restricts any particular views, events, actions or activities. It is guided by common climate change and climate justice principles.
The autonomous civil society space planned for COP17
Since its establishment, C17 has broadened its links to organisations and networks which were not part of the initial planning. Much effort has been expended on linking with international organisations and building links with organisations across Africa. At meetings in India, Tanzania, Copenhagen, Bangkok and Dakar, members shared information about C17 plans and invited participation from the international community.
The first UNFCCC intercessional in Bangkok in April 2011 was important point of contact with international climate justice movements and the current meeting in Bonn will provide an opportunity for C17 to present its work plans and invite participation at an official side event.
Should you wish to engage further with C17, please email:
C17Sout...@gmail.com
A listserve will distribute information as it becomes available.
Please request subscription by emailing: C17Sout...@gmail.com
South African Civil Society preparations for COP17
Side Event in Bonn, July 2011
If you are at the UNFCCC intercessional in Bonn, please join Nerisha Baldevu
to discuss and workshop civil society plans for COP17. We would like to invite international organisations to participate in planning, preparation and programming.
Date: Friday, 17th June
Time : 13h15 to 14h45
Venue : Tram, MoT
--