Discussion > COP 23
Biovision - Foundation for Ecological Development sent 3 delegates to COP 23. This is their Wikipedia page:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biovision#The_Foundation
"The “Biovision Foundation for Ecological Development” is a not-for-profit organisation involved in ecological and sustainable development projects for people living in Africa. With its basic principle of “help for self-help”, it promotes the preservation of natural resources. Biovision is also a global advocate for ecological thinking and action. Biovision projects are helping, therefore to achieve UN Millennium Development Goals. In 2012 Biovision was the first Swiss foundation to be granted General Consultative Status by the United Nations."
And
"Kenya is a focus country for Biovision. Since 1998 Biovision has been supporting various projects there, which implement ecological health promotion and agricultural methods. The research institute icipe, headed for over 10 years by Dr. Hans Rudolf Herren, also has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. icipe is active in over 30 African countries and is the main partner organisation of Biovision.[5]
Ethiopia has been a focus country of Biovision since 2001. These projects have as their goal the widespread use of ecological methods for health promotion as well as for sustainable agriculture and land use. Biovision works with local partner organisations and the regional office of icipe in Addis Ababa. In project partnership with Helvetas, Biovision also supports the combined program for combating sleeping sickness in East Africa.[6]
Tanzania is a key country in Swiss development co-operation, which receives support from numerous international donors as well as from non-government organisations. Since 2006 Biovision has concentrated its work in Tanzania on preservation of biodiversity and conservational use of natural resources. To fulfil this aim Biovision co-operates with the Eastern Arc Mountains Conservation Endowment Fund EAMCEF.[7]
Biovision has been active in Uganda since 2009. Biovision supports traditional doctors in the use and cultivation of local medicinal plants, and so contributes to the conservation of the biodiversity of the surrounding forests.[8]
In accordance with the foundation goal, Biovision works for the increased dissemination of ecological thinking and action. The wasteful use of natural resources is a global problem. Conservation of biodiversity is also not just a local concern. For this reason Biovision is engaged in the field of information as well as in cross-national programmes in other countries.[9] With Hans Rudolf Herren as one of its authors and also co-chair, Biovision played a significant role in the drafting of the 2008 World Agriculture Report (IAASTD). At the Earth Summit in Rio (Rio+20), Biovision – together with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC) in New York - argued strongly for a change in the course of global agriculture."
Their own website is here:
http://www.biovision.ch/en/home/
I give them credit for trying to avoid hypocrisy:
"The activities of Biovision are global; this makes business trips unavoidable if we are to implement our projects. In line with our Mission Statement, we mainly use public transport and wherever possible avoid air travel.
As a general rule, we reduce at source emissions implicated in climate change - something confirmed recently by EWZ, Zurich’s electricity supplier. In its report, it concluded that the efficiency of our offices set an outstanding ecological standard. Our own internal survey of the carbon footprint of Biovision and its staff showed that to achieve carbon neutrality, a CO2 equivalent offset of 114 tonnes was required for 2015.
In order to achieve this neutrality, Biovision is working with myclimate on a climate project in Siaya (Kenya). In this rural area, cooking was traditionally done on open fires that consumed vast amounts of firewood. As part of the project, savings associations have been set up that provide local women’s groups with money to buy efficient, non-polluting stoves. This reduces the consumption of firewood and protects local forests: Each stove reduces annual CO2 emissions by 2.3 tonnes and saves 1.4 tonnes of firewood. The stoves also burn more efficiently and so air quality inside houses is much improved and so respiratory diseases are reduced.
The savings associations provide members with interest-free loans that are paid back over two years. In addition to the purchase of stoves, this secure method of finance allows women to borrow money for items such as health care, school fees or high-quality seeds. The savings associations strengthen the financial and social independence of the women, who are encouraged to take over their management. Each group democratically elects a chair, an actuary and a cashier. To date, more than 900 savings associations have been set up with more than 22,000 members - 87% of whom are women. For more information on the project: Link PDF (in German)
This Certificate, issued by myclimate, the Swiss Foundation for climate protection, confirms that Biovision is a climate-neutral organisation. "
Though one might wonder why it was necessary to send 3 delegates, rather than one, to COP 23.
Delegates:
Mr. Fabio Leippert, Advocacy and Policy:
From Linkedin:
"Fabio Leippert
Project manager advocacy and policy bei Biovision Foundation
Neuchâtel Area, SwitzerlandInternational Trade and Development
Current
Biovision Foundation
Previous
SWISSAID, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, INFRAS
Education
Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich"
Mr. Konrad Heinrich Meyer, Advocacy and Policy.
Ms. Nancy Phoeb Rapando, Advocacy and Policy, Biovision - Foundation for Ecological Development:
"Nancy Phoeb Rapando, Institute of Climate Change (Nairobi University): An Assessment of Climate Change Coping Mechanisms as Building Blocks for Development of Adaptation Strategies for Kenyan Pastoralists: The Case of Wamba Community, Samburu County, Kenya"
Mark Hodgson
BirdLife International sent 5 delegates to COP 23. It would be nice to think that they were to protest against the damage caused to bird life by the proliferation of wind turbines in our wild and beautiful places, but I suspect that's not why they were there...
Their website can be found here:
http://www.birdlife.org/
The "what we do" section has a sub-section on climate change:
"Climate change is happening!
BirdLife International delivers ground-breaking research on the causes of the greenhouse effect, the impacts of climate change and global warming on biodiversity, to inform better decisions on the ground.
By working to conserve and manage forests, peatlands and other habitats, BirdLife’s Partnership of 119 national organisations is helping to reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
BirdLife supports renewable energy deployment and delivers solutions to governments, investors and developers to ensure these do not negatively impact nature.
Our work shows that supporting community engagement and action can build the resilience of natural and societal systems.
BirdLife advocates for the importance of healthy ecosystems to be recognised in national, regional and international climate change and development policy.
Climate change is largely caused by human activities, and it presents a serious threat to nature and people. Without ambitious global warming mitigation efforts, temperature rise this century will exceed 4 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with catastrophic consequences for the whole planet.
Climate change is happening, it is largely caused by human activities, and it presents a serious threat to nature and people now, and in the future. Without ambitious mitigation efforts, global temperature rise this century could exceed 4 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with catastrophic impacts.
Climate change and global warming have profound implications for BirdLife International’s conservation priorities and approaches. It affects the populations and distributions of species, the composition of ecological communities, and nature’s provision of goods and services – such as food, fuel and clean water. Climate change also compounds other major threats to biodiversity, such as invasive alien species, habitat fragmentation and overexploitation."
Rather than oppose wind turbines for the damage they cause to bird life, they give us this:
"Mitigating the effects of Wind Farms and Power Lines
The Paris UN climate conference in December 2015 delivered a new universal climate change agreement. The new agreement is aimed at putting the world on track to a low-carbon, sustainable future that keeps a global temperature rise under 2 degrees C.
This historic agreement will incentivise actions and investment towards an increase of renewable energy globally. As with any other infrastructure developments, renewable energy and associated infrastructure such as power lines may have negative impacts on species and ecosystems particularly when deployed on a mass-scale without adequate planning in place. The risk to migratory species can be particularly significant if renewable energy installations and power lines are placed in inappropriate locations.
To avoid and minimise the effects of wind farms and power lines on birds and bats, various tools and best practices have been collected to support a sustainable deployment of renewable energy, environmental assessments and mitigation measures below."
Read the rest if you want to here:
http://www.birdlife.org/worldwide/policy/mitigating-effects-wind-farms-and-power-lines
Delegates:
Mr. John Lanchbery, Principal Climate Change Advisor, Sustainable Development, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds:
"John is the principal advisor on climate change at the RSPB and a lead member of the BirdLife International team on climate change. He has been to all of the main international negotiating meetings on climate change since Rio in 1992. Nowadays, John focuses mainly on land use and forestry issues. He has also worked extensively on EU climate and energy policy."
Mr. Edward Perry, Global Climate Change Policy Coordinator, Policy:
"Mr Edward Perry, BirdLife International, provided an overview of the CMS Energy Task Force, which was set up under CMS COP Resolution 11.27 and operationalized in 2016 thanks to a voluntary contribution from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUB). Mr Perry emphasised that the strength of the CMS Energy Task Force is its multi-stakeholder membership. He told the audience about the completed and planned work of the Task Force that could be used to inform and support CBD work on mainstreaming biodiversity. Mr Perry welcomed opportunities to collaborate with the CBD and other organisations to maximise synergies and avoid duplication."
Ms. Siteri Alisi Tikoca, BirdLife International:
"CONSERVATION group Nature Fiji Mareqeti Viti received 12 hectares of land from a donor for the preservation of the free tailed bats at Nakanacagi, Macuata.
Labasa lawyer Amrit Sen said the 12 hectares of land sat directly on the roosting cave of the bats.
Mr Sen said the land belonged to his late mother.
"I am proud to give the land for such a worthy cause because I know that this species of bats are endangered and endemic to Nakanacagi, where our land sits," he said.
"I am fully aware of the cave and its location because I used to visit it and I know that it is a roosting place for these bats.
"Apart from law, I have an interest in wildlife and when this opportunity came where I came to know that my land sat on the roosting homes of these bats I counted it as my contribution to the planet."
Mr Sen said he was very encouraged by conservation organisations like NFMV for their efforts in trying to save the planet and its voiceless occupants, such as animal species and forests.
Meanwhile, NFMV representative Siteri Tikoca said they were fortunate to have been given the parcel of land.
Ms Tikoca said they did research on the bats during the past three to four years on the colony of bats, which was a baseline for work on the conservation of the species.
"Through anecdotal observations we have been told by the people of Nakanacagi that they have noticed a decrease in the species colony," she said
"The bat is only found in Vanuatu and Fiji but lately scientists say that the ones in Vanuatu are not the same species as ours in Fiji. Therefore there is a dire need to protect the species of bats.""
Ms. Sarah Nelson:
"Sarah Nelson leads the RSPB’s international policy work. Sarah’s expertise is in global multilateral processes and the interlinkages between environment and development. Her background is in public policy. She has worked for the UK and Irish Governments, as well as for the UN Environment Programme. Prior to joining the RSPB, Sarah coordinated the UK Government position on the SDG’s and accompanied the UK Prime Minister to the SDG Summit as one of his advisors."
Ms. Sylvia Wicander:
https://www.unep-wcmc.org/employees/sylvia-wicander
"Sylvia Wicander
PROGRAMME OFFICER | CLIMATE CHANGE AND BIODIVERSITY
Now a member of the Climate Change and Biodiversity Programme, Sylvia previously worked in the Protected Areas Programme. Across both programmes, she led the implementation of the project Climate Resilient Communities and Protected Areas. She also supported the Protected Areas Resilient to Climate Change (PARCC) in West Africa project and worked on projects related to protected area governance and equity. Sylvia has also contributed to developing tools to support ecosystem-based adaptation and will continue to expand her work on climate change adaptation and resilience.
Previous experience & expertise
Prior to joining the Centre, Sylvia carried out research on the effectiveness of alternative livelihood projects aiming to reduce bushmeat hunting for the Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment, and she undertook research for various projects at the Overseas Development Institute. She has also worked in communications and editing, and did an internship at WWF International during her undergraduate degree. Sylvia has an MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management from the University of Oxford and a BA in International Studies and French as well as a minor in Environmental Policy and Culture from Northwestern University.
Recent work by Sylvia Wicander
Climate Resilient Communities and Protected Areas | Project Lead
Sylvia managed the implementation of this three-year project, which aimed to enhance livelihoods and increase social-ecological resilience in West African coastal protected areas to the negative effects of climate change. The project was carried out at three pilot sites across two marine protected areas in the Gambia and Senegal in close collaboration with local, national and regional partners. At these pilot sites, several community action plans resulting from participatory community planning workshops have been implemented, including multiple community-based and ecosystem-based adaptation options. The project has also produced a step-by-step manual for engaging with communities living in protected areas regarding climate change and empowering local people to plan for such change.
Protected Areas Resilient to Climate Change in West Africa | Project Assistant
Sylvia assisted the implementation of this project by providing technical, organizational and administrative support, which comprised a wide range of activities, including reviewing scientific and policy literature, drafting reports, organizing meetings and liaising with partners."
Mark Hodgson
Blue Green Alliance Foundation sent a single delegate to COP 23. Their website is here:
https://www.bgafoundation.org/
"The BlueGreen Alliance Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that conducts research and educates the public and media about solutions to environmental challenges that create economic opportunities for the American people.
The BlueGreen Alliance Foundation works with the BlueGreen Alliance—a national partnership that unites America’s largest labor unions and its most influential environmental organizations to identify ways today’s environmental challenges can create and maintain quality jobs and build a stronger, fairer economy— to achieve its mission.
For more information about the BlueGreen Alliance, visit www.bluegreenalliance.org."
"Creating Good Jobs, a Clean Environment, and a Fair and Thriving Economy
Too often, Americans are asked to choose between jobs and the environment. But as we face increasingly severe impacts of environmental challenges like climate change and adapt to an interconnected global economy, we can no longer choose one or the other. We believe we can and must choose both.
The BlueGreen Alliance unites America’s largest labor unions and its most influential environmental organizations to solve today’s environmental challenges in ways that create and maintain quality jobs and build a stronger, fairer economy.
We are guided by the principle that we can no longer choose between good jobs and a clean environment—that the actions we take to create quality jobs and to protect working people and the environment must go hand-in-hand, and that together, we will build clean, thriving and fair economy.
Our efforts center on the immediate need to develop commonsense solutions that protect the environment and create and maintain quality, family-sustaining jobs across the economy."
If only environmental groups really did concentrate on "commonsense solutions that protect the environment and create and maintain quality, family-sustaining jobs across the economy." I could sign up to that. Unfortunately, mostly they don't.
Delegate:
Ms. Jessica Frances Eckdish, Senior Policy Advisor:
"Jessica Eckdish is the Senior Policy Advisor with the BlueGreen Alliance in Washington, D.C. Her portfolio includes climate, energy, and water issues.
Jessica joined the BlueGreen Alliance from the Sierra Club, where, as Washington Representative, she managed the Club’s legislative and administrative advocacy to secure and defend strong public health protections. This work included leading efforts to secure methane emission standards for the oil and gas sector and work on a range of issues and projects, including securing federal clean air and water protections.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations from UC Santa Barbara and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Global Environmental Policy from the School of International Service at American University."
Mark Hodgson
Boston University sent a single delegate to COP 23. Their website is here:
http://www.bu.edu/
Search their website for "climate" and it produces 100 results, like:
"BU Trustees Approve Aggressive Climate Action Plan
Effort prepares University for global temperature rise";
"Climate Action Plan";
"Land Cover & Surface Climate Group"
and much much more in similar vein.
Delegate:
Ms. Irene Monasterolo, Assistant Professor of Climate Economics & Finance, Visiting Fellow:
"Irene Monasterolo is an Assistant Professor of Climate Economics and Finance at the Institute for Ecological Economics, Vienna University of Economics and Business and a visiting research fellow at Boston University, USA. Irene holds a Ph.D. in Agri-food Economics and Statistics from the University of Bologna. Irene has extensive experience in developing policy-relevant academic research on how to finance the low-carbon transition and the Sustainable Development Goals via green fiscal, monetary policies and green bonds. Her research focuses on empirical analysis of financial exposure to climate risks as well as on Stock-Flows Consistent models of macro-financial and distributive effects of climate-aligned policies.
Her research has been published on top-tier academic journals, such as Nature Climate Change, Climatic Change and Ecological Economics.
Irene has worked as a consultant for the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, the European Investment Bank and UNISDR on climate policies and sustainable finance."
Lots of these people seem to have worked for banks, so far as I can see. Follow the money!
Mark Hodgson
Both ENDS Foundation sent 5 delegates to COP 23. They are based in Amsterdam. Their funders include many of the usual suspects, including WWF, Oxfam, European Commission, Unesco, and Friends of the Earth. Their website is here:
http://www.bothends.org/en/
"Together with environmental justice groups from poor and developing countries, Both ENDS works towards a sustainable, fair and inclusive world. We gather and share information about policy and investments that have a direct impact on people and their livelihood, we engage in joint advocacy, we stimulate the dialogue between stakeholders and we promote and support sustainable local alternatives."
A search of their website using the word "climate" produces 200 separate articles, many of them excited about funding. Follow the money!
Delegates:
Mr. Daan Robben, policy officer:
"“After my experiences in India and Namibia, I want to continue to commit myself in contributing to a more sustainable and more just world. I believe that Both ENDS provides a great opportunity to realise my commitment.”
Specialism: international capital flows and sustainable land- and water governance
Daan studied Social Geography & Planning, after which he chose for the master Political Geographies at the University of Amsterdam. Within the context of his study, he did a research internship at the Municipality of Nieuwegein. Furthermore, he worked as student-researcher at the Indian NGO Sarvajanik Shikshonnayan Sansthan.
In 2014, Daan was active as a junior researcher at the Ministry of Lands & Resettlement of Namibia for the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit. There, he was confronted with the daily reality and the internal business of local NGOs. Moreover, he learnt about the complexity of the political and economic power struggle in the process of land redistribution in Namibia.
As of August 2015, Daan works at Both ENDS as junior policy officer on the topics of land and water governance and international capital flows. An important task of his new position is to get conversations going between different parties, in order to find solutions that will benefit all. Daan knows from experience that constructive dialogues are indispensable in reaching sustainable and just solutions, and he is therefore at the right place at Both ENDS."
Mr. Niels Hazekamp, Policy Advisor, Policy Department:
"‘Be the change you wish to see in the world’.
Mahatma Gandhi
Specialism: Trade Finance, Export Credit Agencies (ECAs)
In 2013, Niels earned his Master's degree in Criminology, graduating on the topic of 'Organized Crime'. During his research, he came across a great deal of information on multinationals who behave unethically; he found a large grey area in which human rights violations, tax evasion and environmental crimes are commonplace.
After graduation he wanted to find out how you can do something about these issues in practice, so he became chairman and board member 'International Justice' of Young Friends of the Earth Netherlands, the youth organisation of Milieudefensie (Friends of the Earth Netherlands). In this capacity he launched campaigns for fair trade in the electronics and clothing industries. Niels' interest in the mobile phone industry led to a part-time job as Foundation Manager at Closing the Loop, a start-up that recycles 'end of life' scrap phones from Africa and Asia.
In November 2015, Niels started working at Both ENDS as a junior policy officer on the topic of Trade Finance. An important part of his new position is running down Dutch government support for the fossil energy industry. He does so together with partners in the south and other Dutch NGOs. Through his broad background and his campaigning experience, Niels knows how to look at things from different perspectives, and how to make people understand about international problems, so they want to get involved."
And
"Both ENDS' Niels Hazekamp and Daan Robben are joining the Climate CoP in Bonn to actively follow the negotiations, with a special focus on certain topics such as subsidies and support for fossil fuels, climate finance, climate adaptation, and gender. Both ENDS also co-organises a side event together with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED). "
Ms. Masja Helmer, Communication Officer, Communications:
"Masja studied 'Latin American Studies' at Leiden University, and worked in a marketing research agency for quite a while. In 2010, she started as a communications officer at Both ENDS.
Both ENDS is a strong organisation with highly committed experts on many subjects. Masja enjoys presenting the often complicated (national and international) processes that Both ENDS and partners are working on, in an attractive, understandable way."
Ms. Mabel Agba, Programme Officer, Both ENDS.
Is this her?
"Facilitates Forest Forum and Coordinates Volunteer Activities. Mabel Agba is the In-Country ICS Program Coordinator for the Development Institute. She graduated from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana with Bachelors’ Degree in Mathematics and Economics. After her graduation, she worked as an Administrative Assistant with the Electoral Commission of Ghana and further worked for an International not-for-profit corporation, ProWorld."
Mr. Jacob Swager, Both ENDS. I assume this is him:
"acob Swager is a Dutch expert in air safety and the environment. A qualified chemist, he acted as coordinator for the secretariat of the UN Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) from 1993 to 1998."
Mark Hodgson
Boticário Group Foundation for Nature Protection sent 3 delegates to COP 23. They are based in Brazil, and their website can be found here:
http://www.fundacaogrupoboticario.org.br/en/Pages/default.aspx
"The Fundação Grupo Boticário (Boticário Group Foundation) was created in 1990 as one of the first private institutions dedicated to nature conservation in Brazil. Since then, our commitment has been kept perennial and steadfast.
We started our activities supporting initiatives by other institutions and became one of the main financers of environmental projects in the country. Over 24 years, we have supported 1,436 initiatives from 482 different institutions.
We operate in all of Brazil’s regions and we have developed our own actions as well. Through our Nature Preserves, we conserve over 11,000 hectares of both Atlantic Forest and Cerrado, the two most threatened biomes in the country.
We devise and execute initiatives such as Oásis (Oasis), a pioneer program of Payment for Environmental Services; the Estações Natureza (Estação Natureza Exhibits) and the Movimento Gastronomia Responsável (Gastronomia Responsável Movement), always seeking to mobilize society in favor of the conservationist cause. All this to show that the environment is not only an inspiration, but a reason for us to go on."
I find nothing there to criticise, and much to welcome. It's just a pity that these groups find themselves subverted by an obsession with CO2 and climate change.
Delegates:
Mr. Andre Rocha Ferretti, Manager, Conservation Strategies:
"André Rocha Ferretti has a degree in Forestry Engineering from the University of São Paulo (1994) and a Masters in Wood Science and Technology [Esalq] from the University of São Paulo (2000). He is currently an analyst for senior environmental projects at the O Boticario Foundation for Nature Protection. He has experience in the area of Forest Resources and Forest Engineering, with emphasis on Recovery of Degraded Areas, working mainly on the following topics: Atlantic forest, forest restoration and global warming."
Ms. Juliana Baladelli Ribeiro, Environmental Project Analist [sic], Conservation Strategies:
"[S]He holds a bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from the Federal University of Paraná (2005), an MBA in Environmental Management from UFPR, specialization in Climate Change and Carbon Sequestration and a Masters in Environmental Management. [S]He is currently an analyst of environmental projects of the Grupo Boticário Foundation, an NGO whose mission is to promote and carry out actions for the conservation of nature. Its current focus is climate change, Adaptation based on Ecosystems and public policies aimed at biodiversity conservation. She has experience in the area of Ecology and Environmental Management, with emphasis on BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION, for 7 years she was a biologist at the Municipality of Curitiba, worked with strategic licensing, Conservation Units, Waste Management Plans, legislation review, lectures and elaboration of didactic material.
Mr. Carlos Eduardo Rittl Filho, Executive Secretary, The Climate Observatory:
"Carlos Rittl holds a PhD in Tropical Biology and Natural Resources and is the current Executive Secretary of the Observatory of Climate in Brazil. Carlos led the Greenpeace Climate Campaign in Brazil (2005 to 2007) and WWF-Brazil’s Climate Change and Energy Program (2009 to 2013). Since 2004, Carlos has been following multilateral negotiations on the subject, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio + 20)."
Mark Hodgson
Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University sent 5 delegates to COP 23. Their website is here:
http://www.brahmakumaris.org/
"General information
Brahma Kumaris is a worldwide spiritual movement dedicated to personal transformation and world renewal. Founded in India in 1937, Brahma Kumaris has spread to over 110 countries on all continents and has had an extensive impact in many sectors as an international NGO. However, their real commitment is to helping individuals transform their perspective of the world from material to spiritual. It supports the cultivation of a deep collective consciousness of peace and of the individual dignity of each soul.
International coordination
The spiritual headquarters of Brahma Kumaris is in Mount Abu, India. At a national level, activities are generally coordinated by local people in alignment with the spiritual principles of Brahma Kumaris, working in accordance with the laws of the land. Activities of international interest are coordinated regionally from offices in London, Moscow, Nairobi, New York and Sydney.
The role of women as spiritual leaders
Brahma Kumaris is the largest spiritual organisation in the world led by women. It was the founder, Prajapita Brahma Baba, who chose to put women in front from the very beginning, and it has set Brahma Kumaris apart on the stage of the world's religions and spiritual organisations. For over 80 years their leadership has been characterised by steady courage, a capacity for forgiveness and a deep commitment to unity.
Although women hold the top administrative positions, the women who hold these positions have always made decisions in partnership with the men. It is a partnership and consensus model of leadership, based on respect, equality and humility. As such, it stands as an exemplar of accomplished and harmonious jurisdiction."
Under the "Hope" section of their website is this:
"Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future
The current environment crisis is a clear call to transform our awareness and lifestyle. Therefore there is an urgent need for a new paradigm that integrates clean technologies into our day to day life.
In order to give a strong impulse towards the development of clean technologies and a sustainable society the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University have been actively involved for 25 years in the research and demonstration of alternative renewable energy concepts.
Since the mid 90's, Brahma Kumaris has become one of the key developers and promoters of renewable energies in India. With Indian and German government support it has carried out various research and development projects. In order to strengthen its approach Brahma Kumaris works in close liaison with its sister organisation, the World Renewal Spiritual Trust (WRST), a registered charity in India. In 2011 Brahma Kumaris and WRST were recognised as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization by the Indian Ministry of Science and Technology.
In 2014 an "Awareness & Training Centre" was set up by Brahma Kumaris & WRST with financial support from the United Nations Development Program, Global Environment Facility and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (Govt. of India). Brahma Kumaris has developed and installed 6 large solar systems which produce steam for various process applications such as cooking, laundry and sterilisation. In addition it has installed and operates around 350 photovoltaic battery systems (off grid) all over India with a total capacity of more than 1200 KW peak. In 2017 "India One", a 1 MW solar thermal power plant near the Brahma Kumaris Shantivan campus in Abu Road was commissioned. Brahma Kumaris & WRST are currently conducting research and training in the following technologies:
Solar steam cooking systems
Solar thermal power generation and thermal storage
Photo voltaic stand alone systems
Solar hot water plants
It is the aim of Brahma Kumaris to highlight the importance of underpinning environmental awareness with practical spiritual wisdom. We believe that this holistic ‘inside-out' approach based on respect, cooperation, equality, love and peaceful coexistence with ourselves and nature is the key to a sustainable future. We specifically support people to acquire technical expertise, performance capability and managerial competence.
Brahma Kumaris inspires people to make use of renewable energy technologies by organizing training workshops, conferences and publishing research papers and articles. The research projects of BK & WRST aim to build up the capacity and expertise of individuals, groups and organizations so that the design/layout of the different solar systems can be replicated.
In addition BK & WRST have planted more than 2000 trees around "India One" solar power plant and intends to grow vegetables and fruit trees thus doubling the use of the land and reducing dust accumulation."
Delegates:
Sr. Jayanti Murli Kirpalani, Main Representative for the UN, Geneva:
"Jayanti believes in the power of consciousness and thought to positively influence the world around her. The message she wants to bring to COP21 is that when her thoughts are peaceful and free from conflict she can create a situation where there can be peace and harmony with others and with nature. She explains that everything starts with the individual and even minority groups can have a powerful voice. What needs to come to the negotiations is the understanding that we share one home and are one family. We all survive together or sink together. At COP21 we must work together in a spirit of cooperation not competition. Her recommendation to every human being is: Make a conscious choice, know that all your decisions, what you eat, buy, wear and do is going to impact your carbon footprint and will set a trend for others to follow."
Mr. Joachim Albert Hans Pilz, Advisor, Renewable Energy:
"Interview at the Climate Change Studio. In order to channel the dynamic and engaging views of participants of COP16, the secretariat of UNFCCC has continued the “Climate Change Studio” (which was also present in Copenhagen last year and interviewed Sister Jayanti). Climate Change TV is a platform that provides the opportunity to be interviewed by a professional journalist on actions, solutions, observations and issues that impact climate change. Joachim Golo Pilz was interviewed by a British journalist.
Golo has played a major role in making the Brahma Kumaris (BKs) one of the largest users of alternative energy in India. He has, together with German organizations, installed solar energy systems for steam generation and power supply in the BK world headquarters in the remote mountains of Rajasthan and in the BK centers all over India.
Presently he is working on designing a 1mw solar power plant. After initial questions about the use of solar energy the subject turned to spirituality and how a change in consciousness affects climate change. Golo emphasized the connection between the inner state of mind and the external condition of the world, saying that there is a strong relationship. First, man has to improve his consciousness and awareness and only then can it have a lasting impact.
Asked for his personal experiences on how spirituality helped him in his work with solar energy. He emphasized that spirituality had helped him to develop patience and dedication and not allow him to loose focus of the projects under adverse circumstances. Golo then shared his personal view that meditation helped a lot in his having success in his solar projects. After the interview Golo was asked many follow-up questions by bystanders including a reporter from a Chinese TV station who asked him to be interviewed on live TV on Thursday morning.
By the evening Sister Jayanti had registered and was visiting the various locations of the conference. Shortly afterwards the Brahma Kumaris held a joint side event with Global Peace Initiative of Women (GPIW) in a large meeting room near the country pavilions. The theme again was the Inner Dimensions of Climate Change. A panel of spiritual and religious leaders of which Sister Jayanti is a part, discussed the understanding that the environmental crisis is a moral and spiritual crisis and explored ways to shift the consciousness needed to change behaviors and lifestyles that reduce the waste and degradation that modern life entails."
Ms. Sonja Maria Ohlsson, BKWSU:
Serial COP attender:
"Climate change demands inner change
In order for us move into an era of greater care for the Earth we need to connect more deeply with our values, and to help others do the same. In this presentation we will demonstrate how a simple meditation practice can bring about shifts in understanding – for others,the environment and ourselves."
Ms. Valerie Anne Bernard, UN Representative Geneva
What is she doing as part of this delegation?
Mr. Richard Cater Cizik:
"Richard Cizik is the President of the New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good, a faith-based organization committed to an agenda that fosters values consistent with an open and free society.
He served for ten years as Vice President for Governmental affairs of the National Association of Evangelicals, the top staff position of the organization, a post he left in 2008 after enduring years of political opposition from the Religious Right. An interview with NPR's "Fresh Air" in which he expressed support for civil unions, climate change, and political collaboration with the newly-elected Obama Administration, led to a national uproar within the movement and over one-hundred top evangelical leaders defecting to a "New Evangelical" agenda."
Mark Hodgson
Bread for the World sent 5 delegates to COP 23. We seem to be in the faith-based section of COP 23 delegates, which is rather appropriate given the religious nature of such gatherings. Their website is here:
http://www.bread.org/
"Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decisions makers to end hunger at home and abroad. Moved by God’s grace in Jesus Christ, we advocate for a world without hunger.
Bread members send letters and emails, make phone calls, and visit their members of Congress about legislation that addresses hunger in the U.S. and around the world. Bread equips its members to communicate with Congress and to work with others on advocacy. It educates members on hunger-related issues and inspires members to be legislative activists as a way of putting their Christian faith into action.
Bread works in partnership with churches, campuses, and other organizations to mobilize Christians and others in congressional districts and states.
Bread’s goal is to help end hunger by 2030. It believes that everyone must play a part in ending hunger, especially our federal government. We work to change the policies and conditions that allow hunger to persist. Bread seeks long-term solutions to hunger and advocates on legislation that addresses the root causes of hunger.
We have a track record of winning bipartisan legislation that helps hungry people feed their families. We are successful because our grassroots network of members and activists works in concert with national denominations, networks, and organizations supported by Bread’s staff in Washington, D.C., and around the country.
God’s grace moves us to build the political commitment needed to overcome hunger and poverty. We believe it is possible to end hunger in our time."
Strange, then, their apparent obsession with climate change, given that to date it has proved to be entirely beneficial in enabling humankind to grow more food than ever before.
Yet you can find stuff like this on their website:
"Food insecurity requires significant strides in areas like public policy, nutrition assistance, agricultural productivity, and community empowerment. These things can not only improve people’s lives locally, but can help us stay ahead of the hunger curve as global population increases and climate change affects harvest."
And "The pope’s U.S. visit helped shine a light on many issues contributing to hunger, such as poverty, climate change, immigration, and apathy."
"And this is still the hope for which we wait. So many years after Jeremiah, in Advent in the Year of our Lord 2015, our world, too, shows many signs of falling apart. I write this devotion in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Paris, Beirut, and Bamako, while entire nations of refugees seek asylum from violence. In response to these crises, fearmongering and demagoguery stalk our own land. Meanwhile, here in California we remain in a devastating drought, as if Earth herself is dying beneath us. If the terrorists--or our violent responses to terrorism--do not destroy us, our own devastation of the environment and the consequent climate change just might. Advent this year could easily be a time of hopelessness and despair."
Delegates:
Ms. Sabine Minninger:
"Sabine Minninger is a policy advisor on climate change with the German Protestant aid agency Brot für die Welt (Bread for the World), dealing with global warming and development issues. Since 2008 she has been following the UNFCCC process together with partner organizations in the Global South. From 2004 until 2012 she was employed in long-term positions in Southeast Asia and in the South Pacific in consultation with partners of the German Church Development Service on climate resilience. While her main focus is on climate justice, adaptation and climate finance, she is currently intensely involved in work on addressing climate induced loss and damages."
Mr. Joachim Fünfgelt:
"Since 2015, Joachim Fünfgelt has been responsible for climate and energy policy in the fields of renewable energies, low-carbon development strategies, energy access and climate protection. He is working on a national and international level, together with the partners of Brot für die Welt, for a global energy transition. Previously, he worked as a scientist in sustainability economics and with international non-governmental organizations on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He studied economics and did his doctorate in sustainability economics."
Mr. Johannes Grün:
"ohannes Grün has been head of the Economic and Environmental Unit since 2016. Previously, he worked in the German Bundestag, most recently as a speaker for international politics of the group leaders of the Greens, Katrin Göring-Eckardt. He has been a member of the Synod of the Evangelical Church in Germany since 2009. He studied political science."
Ms. Sophia Wirsching, Bread for the World:
"Sophia Wirsching has been working as a consultant for migration and development for bread for the world since 2009. In close cooperation with partner organizations, she is committed to better living conditions. It is committed to tackling human rights abuses and reasons of flight such as violence, poverty and the consequences of climate change. Its activities also include improving human rights protection for migrants in transit and destination countries. She studied Political Science and Sociology."
Mr. Eike Zaumseil:
"Eike Zaumseil has been working for Bread for the World since 2014 as a consultant for climate change and agriculture. After a voluntary service in Southeast Asia, he studied politics in Berlin and in Canterbury, England. He then worked for four years as a research assistant to a development politician in the German Bundestag. There he dealt with world nutrition, fisheries policy and the indebtedness of poor countries."
Mark Hodgson
Brighter Green, Inc sent 4 delegates to COP 23. Their website is here:
http://brightergreen.org/
"Brighter Green is a public policy action tank that works to raise awareness of and encourage policy action on issues that span the environment, animals, and sustainability. Based in New York, Brighter Green works in the U.S. and internationally with a focus on the countries of the global South and a strong commitment to ensuring and expanding equity and rights.
On its own and in partnership with other organizations and individuals, Brighter Green generates and incubates research and project initiatives that are both visionary and practical. It produces publications, websites, documentary films, and programs to illuminate public debate among policy-makers, activists, communities, influential leaders, and the media, with the goal of social transformation at local and international levels."
Their website has a section on climate change, which contains stuff like this:
"Rio 2016: Fighting Deforestation while Selling Burgers
The 2016 Olympics kicked off in Rio, Brazil with the opening ceremony on August 5th. During the event there was acknowledgement of climate change with images that illustrated rising temperatures, melting polar ice caps, and rising sea levels. Following these images there was narration about how the host country would plant a seed for each athlete after the ceremony, implying that this could be one way to combat deforestation and climate change (of course, this gesture doesn’t change the various scandals and incidents preceding the games in Rio).
Surprisingly (or not), the causes of climate change and deforestation were never mentioned (much less any strategies to adapt). Brighter Green has researched these issues extensively (in Brazil, and other countries) showing how an expanding livestock sector, especially cattle and soybean production—an integral component of farmed animal feed—are the main drivers of deforestation and climate change in Brazil. Perhaps this is no small surprise, given the Olympic sponsors that rely on big ag to supply their products (McDonalds, Coca-Cola, and Dow Chemical to name a few).
There is a sustainability plan in place for the Olympics, which includes sustainable food sourcing, and is further explained in their thirty-two page Taste of the Games publication. However, their qualifications for sustainably-sourced beef, for example, are that providers have “signed up for zero deforestation” or have a system of practices—of which there is no known regulation—encompassing social, environmental and animal welfare practices. There is no mention of reducing the consumption of animal products or options for eating vegetarian or vegan, as either an athlete or spectator. We were interested in getting insight from local experts to shed some light on this situation.
Recently, we conducted the first of two live chats in our WeChat group focusing specifically on Brazil. As part of these chats, we reached out to a few of our colleagues based in Brazil to ask about veg*sm and related issues. This included the former president of the Brazilian Vegetarian Society (Sociedade Vegetariana Brasileira or SVB), Marly Winkler.
We asked her about vegan/vegetarian options for Olympic athletes and learned that SVB was able to work alongside the Olympic Committee and with Rio Food Vision to help determine their food policies for the games. According to SVB, “Vegan meals will be offered as part of the menu for athletes, delegates and press professionals.” They also ensured that 24% of all meals served during the Olympics be vegetarian, a percentage based on the amount of vegetarian meals consumed by the general population. They recommended that the eighty-six restaurants catering to visitors have “good, filling vegan options.”
A member of an animal welfare group in Brazil alerted us to a demonstration by PETA on August 4th in Rio’s city center to showcase the large water footprint of beef. Campaign director Ashley Byre commented,
“The world has its eyes turned to Rio because of the Games, and this is the opportunity to make more people know that the meat industry is causing the massive destruction of the environment. It’s not just about wasting water, but also soil erosion, global warming, animal suffering.”
Winkler also wrote that it is very easy to be vegetarian in Brazil because there is plenty of access to vegetables and fruits, but the meat-centric culture is what makes it more difficult. PETA protested in the city center on August 4 to show the Ultimately, it seems like athletes and visitors will have access to vegetarian and vegan meals, but it will be interesting to see if they actually take advantage of it. Plenty of plant-based athletes have enjoyed success at the Olympics, and beyond."
Delegates:
Ms. Caroline Wimberly:
"Caroline Wimberly is the China Program Manager at Brighter Green. She began her work at Brighter Green as an intern in February 2011. She graduated from Duke University in 2007 with an AB in Art History and minors in Psychology and Religion. She moved to New York City in 2008 to attend the French Culinary Institute, not only to strengthen her culinary skills, but also to learn about the food industry. She also worked for a year as the event planner at Artisanal Bistro. While she (mostly) enjoyed working in the restaurant industry, she is devoted to animal welfare issues, as well as sustainable agricultural practices and fair food pricing. Caroline has attended COP22 and COP23 on behalf of Brighter Green, leading conversations and facilitating dialogue about animal agriculture’s role in climate change and connecting with partners to build larger momentum for policy action. She has worked on the post-production of our two documentaries, “What’s For Dinner?” and “Six Years On”, as well as other short videos, and has coordinated the China Program since it’s official beginning in 2014. Outside of the office, she dabbles in green home renovations and interior design, impact investing, and local activism. She hopes to encourage more people to adopt a whole foods, plant-based diet, as well as educate people about the animal agriculture industry."
Ms. Li Li:
"COP21: Dr Li Li awarded by the French Embassy in Beijing
As part of the Paris 2015 Climate Conference – COP21, the service for Science and Technology of the French Embassy in China wished to encourage Franco-Chinese scientific actions related to climate change and biodiversity. A prize (a stay in France) has been awarded during the evening organized by the CNRS China office in Beijing to a Chinese researcher working in a Franco-Chinese joint research network particularly mobilized on these issues. The winner is Dr Li Li, a member of the GDRI EHEDE, for her works in Yunnan on the impact of global and regional changes on the Black and White snub-nosed monkey.
Dr. Li Li is an expert researcher in geographic information systems and conservation biology."
Ms. Xinyi Lin:
"This year, for the first time, Brighter Green attended the Conference of Youth (COY13) which was also held in Bonn on November 2-4. COY is a gathering of international and regional Youth NGOs, civil society actors, and other young climate activists that takes place each year before the COP. This year, delegates came from 114 countries. Brighter Green’s Caroline Wimberly, and Zhu Qing and Xinyi Lin from our “Good Food China” network attended COY and also led a workshop on November 3, titled “What’s Your ‘Steak’ in it? How YOUth Can Promote More Sustainable, Climate-compatible Food & Agricultural Systems.” The presentation was well-received and discussions about the topic continued throughout the weekend and at the COP itself, including at Brighter Green’s exhibit booth. The talk was covered in both English and Italian. You can read the articles in Agenzia di Stampa Giovanile, Youth Press Agency, and Unimondo. We created a handout specifically for COY with actions YOUNGOs and youth climate activists can take on animal agriculture (at right). The workshop at COY has its origins in a class project completed by graduating seniors in New York University’s environmental studies department in a “capstone” course taught by Brighter Green executive director Mia MacDonald."
Mr. Qing Zhu:
"Good Food Hero Summit Organizer Featured in COY13 Blog
Zhu Qing, the organizer of the 1st Good Food Hero Summit, wrote a blog for the 13th Conference of Youth (COY13), drawing on his experiences organizing the Summit this past summer, and his NGO experience in his home country of China. He will be in Bonn, Germany to speak at a Brighter Green-hosted side event in the COY13 programme, as well as attend the early part of COP23."
Mark Hodgson
British Columbia Council for International Cooperation sent 4 delegates to COP 23. Their website is here:
https://www.bccic.ca/
"Our Mission
BCCIC engages its members and others to share knowledge, build relationships, and develop their capacity towards achieving sustainable global development.
Our Vision
British Columbians are engaged in global cooperation for a just, equitable, and sustainable world.
Our Aims
BCCIC aims to provide its members and others in BC with networking, information sharing, and learning opportunities that:
facilitate cooperation and help achieve global development goals; and
increase public awareness of, and support for, global development.
BCCIC also represents members’ interests in dealing with government and other development stakeholders.
BCCIC is a non-profit and registered charitable organization under the number: 136052859RR0001"
I'm not even sure what that means. Does this help?:
BCCIC is a network of organizations and individuals moving toward a better world.
I am often asked to explain the value of a network. Not an easy task given the complexity and abstraction of networking. Organizations are made up of individuals who come together with a united vision to work toward a common goal. Perhaps their interest is in building a school or orphanage; perhaps it is tackling social attitudes or gender inequality. Organizing people is a powerful exercise and how organizations choose to make these changes varies according to the imaginations, values and ethos of those people who choose to gather together. In this respect networks take on a more complex function.
If a person wants to change the world and tackle a specific problem, whether that is eradicating poverty or tackling climate change, they can join an organization and roll up their sleeves. Networks are about finding the common ground between these organizations so when you roll up your sleeves your work is easier, more efficient or complementary to others. Networks respect the variety of methodologies organizations might take or the plethora of motivations behind these activities and concentrate on how to promote the interests of the entire sector.
In this respect networks are powerful and BCCIC is doing well! We are able to tackle challenges that no individual or even organization can handle alone. When networks gather under a shared ethos, with a broad variety of methodologies and philosophies we create movements. Movements are hard to destroy, hard to pin down and even hard to locate. We are a bit like waves. On the surface you can see the individual actions of our members and the projects of groups. These are expressed in a myriad of ways as diverse as the ripples and wavelets on the surface of the ocean. Combined however they build into swells and movements of energy with direction and intention. Underneath there is a powerful united energy… an energy firmly motivated by change and evolution.
We might convene a social policy roundtable one day or feature a capacity development workshop the next. Perhaps we are in Ottawa promoting the needs of members or encouraging the funding of small and medium sized organizations. Perhaps we are hosting a webinar on the challenges of Ebola…or fielding phone calls on how to encourage youth participation on the Sustainable Development Goals at the United Nations. Every day is different and often abstract.
If we connect two people or a funder and an organization can we take credit for the outcome? Not really, but without networks these connections don’t happen! Without the trusted deep structures of networks the surface structure of activities and projects are not so easy to manifest. We are rarely about one issue or one cause but about the amorphous territory between causes and issues that link movements together. We are often in the background, behind the scenes, in between the actions and working on the principles. We address the issue of scales of action and enable the organizations that enable the individuals.
In this regard, BCCIC is a leader in the field of networking. We link people. We link organizations and most of all we link good ideas in our ever evolving movement toward a better world. We are grateful to those who understand this and are with is on this journey. It has been an exciting year and I look forward to what is coming up and serving our members in the coming year. Fasten your seat belts.
Michael Simpson
Executive Director"
Not really!
Delegates:
Ms. Joelle Moses, Youth Delegate, British Columbia Council for International Cooperation:
"Joelle considers herself to be one of the luckiest people in the world. She grew up in beautiful Vancouver, BC, swimming in the ocean and surrounded by a loving family. She is now a dedicated student at McGill University, studying Psychology and International Development, with an Environmental focus.
Joelle’s commitment to sustainability is fairly new, yet has quickly become all-encompassing. From facilitating the first ever ratification of the UN Sustainable Development Goals at an educational institute at McGill, to research on youth engagement with the SDGs in BC, to adopting and advocating a plant-based diet, she has delved into the world of climate action, and is not looking back.
Joelle hopes to utilize her privilege – of education, and a life full of opportunity – along with her burning passion and understanding of people, to help transform this world into a sustainable and just entity, while empowering others to do the same."
Ms. Verna Yam, Youth Delegate:
"Verna is in her final year of studies at the University of British Columbia, completing an International Relations Major and Asian Area Studies Minor. Verna is passionate about facilitating international cooperation to support the resolution of global issues like climate change, and strives to supplement her studies with hands-on experience. Aside from assisting federal environmental policy at Environment and Climate Change Canada, Verna has also interned at the Consulate-General of the United States in Vancouver.
In addition, Verna aims to encourage youth engagement with international issues. She has organized Model United Nations conferences for up to 700 student delegates and planned events to promote Canada’s linkages to the Asia-Pacific amongst youth.
With her keen interest in collaboration to advance global sustainable development, Verna is honoured to be part of the BCCIC delegation to COP 23. She looks forward to supporting the delegation with her specific focus on East Asia, an area she is familiar with from coursework as well as firsthand experience studying and working there."
Mr. Colton Kasteel, Youth Delegate:
"Colton studies International Economics at the University of British Columbia and is passionate about social justice and sustainable development, with a focus on researching, promoting, and implementing market-based solutions to climate change. Colton co-founded UBC’s first organization dedicated to analyzing political and economic responses to climate change, the UBC Environmental Policy Association, and served as a Creative Officer for the National University of Singapore’s largest environmental group, NUS SAVE.
Currently, Colton helps lead operations at Gathering Voices Society, which aims to foster economic, social, and ecological resilience in First Nations communities by facilitating the implementation of ecosystem stewardship programs that combine traditional ecological knowledge with market-based tools. He also manages the UBC Alma Mater Society’s Sustainability Projects Fund, and is an active volunteer for social and environmental causes.
Colton is thrilled to be part of BCCIC’s delegation to COP 23, and looks forward to representing British Columbian youth on the world stage."
Ms. Keila Stark, Youth Delegate, British Columbia Council for International Cooperation:
"Keila is a UBC student entering her final year of a B.Sc Hons in Marine Biology with a minor in Political Science.
Keila’s education, volunteer work, and advocacy experience have all contributed to her mission of protecting biodiversity, mitigating negative climate change outcomes, and ensuring equitable and sustainable global development (all three of these things co-benefit each other when achieved). Keila is a fierce advocate of scientists demanding a say in all and playing a more active role in policy-making at all levels of governance.
Keila has worked as a conservation educator for Parks Canada, the BC Wildlife Federation, and Vancouver Aquarium. She has also worked with various sustainability and research groups on UBC campus delivering workshops on the SDGs and global development. Keila has experience writing about climate change-based discussions within International Organizations from working for the Nippon-UBC Nereus Program: an interdisciplinary research collective that investigates how climate change and overfishing impact the ecology and human use of our oceans. Currently, she is doing her Honours thesis research on seagrass ecosystems, which are a globally significant carbon sink and benefit coastal communities for the slew of ecosystem services they provide.
Keila is honoured to be a member of the BCCIC youth delegation to the UNFCCC, and she looks forward to mindfully representing the views and interests of Canadian youth, women, and scientists in climate change and sustainable development discussions."
I suppose I ought to be thrilled about this sort of thing. Old curmudgeon that I am, I find the level of brainwashing going on to be deeply depressing.
Mark Hodgson
Brown University - Watson Institute sent 10 delegates to COP 23. Their website is here:
http://watson.brown.edu/
"Mission
The Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University seeks to promote a just and peaceful world through research, teaching, and public engagement.
About
Complex problems require informed solutions.
Poverty and inequality. Natural disasters and ethnic conflict. Rapid urbanization and climate change. Globalized labor standards and cyber threats. Our increasingly interconnected 21st-century world is rife with challenges that affect us all. Crafting solutions to those problems requires rigorous research, real-world experience, and creative thinking.
The Watson Institute is a community of scholars, practitioners, and students whose work aims to help us understand and address these critical challenges. It is dedicated to meaningful social science research and teaching, and animated by the conviction that informed policy can change systems and societies for the better.
The Watson Institute's comparative, global approach is strengthened by:
A diverse faculty that contributes expertise from a wide range of academic and professional disciplines.
Ten centers and initiatives that are home to comparative, interdisciplinary research, and the source of innovative, thought-provoking programming.
Undergraduate- and graduate-level academic programs designed to engage students in the pursuit of knowledge, critical thinking, and analytical skills in order to become tomorrow’s leaders.
A postdoctoral fellows program that offers young social scientists the opportunity to collaborate with senior scholars and present their ongoing research to a supportive yet critically minded audience.
Productive partnerships with a range of departments and initiatives across Brown’s campus and across the world that solidify its multidisciplinary approach and global outlook.
A mission as vital as it is ambitious.
Housed at Brown University, the Watson Institute benefits from the resources—both academic and human—of a top-tier research university known for its commitment to serving the community, the nation, and the world.
In keeping with this ethos, the Watson Institute seeks to promote a just and peaceful world through research, teaching, and public engagement."
Searching their website for the key word "climate" produces an awful lot of articles! Including this:
"Watch out for Brown’s CDL at COP23 in Bonn
Brown’s Climate and Development Lab is revving up for the UN climate change negotiations or COP23 in Bonn under the Fiji presidency following a busy couple of months of preparations.
Two squads of CDL researchers will attend the two weeks of the negotiations, where we will be working closely with some of our partners from around the world. Here’s a look at what we will be up to:
Working with our partners:
During the COP, CDL researchers will working with a variety of individuals and groups including:
Supporting the Least Developed Countries Group Chair, Mr. Gebru Jember Endalew of Ethiopia
Working with the United Nations Development Programme, the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (Bangladesh), Climate Action Network International, and Oxfam International.
Collaborating with the Global Island Partnership (GLISPA) which focuses on the Small Island Developing States and working specifically with the Seychelles and Palau delegations.
Working with Climate Home to report on events and conduct interviews with leading figures at COP23.
Events at COP23:
The CDL is hosting an event at the German Development Institute Interconnections Zone in Bula on Saturday, November 11th from 9:00 - 11:00 called, “Transparency, Governance, and Accountability and Governance in Climate Adaptation – Perspectives from the Developing World”. We are co-hosting this event with AdaptationWatch, the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), and Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI). A second overlapping event will be held that afternoon in the WWF Pavillion, also featuring CDL work through the AdaptationWatch consortium.
The CDL’s director Professor Timmons Roberts will be on the panel for a side event at COP23 in Bonn titled, “LUCCC, A LDCs initiative to build long-term climate capacity and implement Article 11 of the Paris?” on Thursday, November 16th from 11:30 to 13:00. The panel will discuss the context, vision, and function and the role of universities outlined in LDCs University Consortium on Climate Capacity (LUCCC) under Article 11 of the Paris Agreement.
The lab is co-sponsor of and participant in Capacity Building Day, 16 November, at GIZ GmbH, Heinrich-von-Stephan-Strabe 9, 53175 Bonn. Our partners include the UN Development Programme, International Centre for Climate Change and Development (Bangladesh), University of Colorado-Boulder, Oregon State University, and the United Nations University.
Preparing for Bonn:
In preparation for COP23, lots of exciting work has been underway. Our latest book, the Paris Framework for Climate Change Capacity Building: Time for a Fresh Approach, is being prepared for publication with Routledge.
Other recent publications include the major annual policy report from Adaptation Watch on the implementation process of adaptation governance under Paris.
The CDL works with partners from GFLAC, PACJA, Adaptify (Netherlands), Both ENDS (Netherlands), ENDA Tiers Monde (Senegal), Grupo de Financiamiento Climático para América Latina y el Caribe (Mexico), International Centre for Climate Change and Development (Bangladesh), Institute for Social and Environmental Transition (Nepal & USA), Nur University (Bolivia), Oxford Climate Policy (UK), Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (Kenya), Stockholm Environment Institute (Sweden), Transparency International (Germany), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Centre d'Etudes du Développement durable (Belgium), and University of Colorado-Boulder's Environmental Studies Program (USA)
Find more on http://www.adaptationwatch.org/.
A series of policy briefings have been released weekly from the AdaptationWatch network. This work was coordinated by Danielle Falzon of Brown’s CDL and Kevin Adams of the Stockholm Environmental Institute and can be found at http://www.adaptationwatch.org/#our-publications.
Researchers in our lab are are contributing to a myriad of projects ranging from supporting energy sovereignty for tribal nations through grant writing to contributing editorial content to ClimateChangeNews.org.
Further, we have researchers working with the US Climate Action Network on a climate finance brief for congressional staffers, and others researching financial flows to climate action and denial organizations. Several other projects are also in the works."
Delegates:
Mr. Gregory Hitch, Researcher, Climate and Development Lab, Brown University:
"Gregory Hitch is a Ph.D. student in American Studies, specializing in the cultural impacts of climate change on indigenous populations, as well as adaptive responses. He also explores indigenous food movements, American environmental history, and the relationship between humans and the biotic community in the Anthropocene. Greg's most recent research has focused on the cultural and societal implications of rapidly changing ecological systems in North America, particularly within the indigenous communities of the Western Great Lakes Region."
Ms. Lauren Maunus, Researcher, Climate and Development Lab, Brown University - Watson Institute:
"Lauren Maunus is a junior concentrating in Environmental Studies with a focus in Sustainability in Development. She is passionate about environmental justice and local climate policy and hopes to pursue law as a means of ensuring protection for humans and the environment. This past summer, Lauren interned at the Environmental Law Institute in Washington, DC, as an Environmental Peacebuilding Intern where she worked with United Nations Environment to create a Massive Online Open Course on environmental peacebuilding, a diplomatic strategy to promote shared natural resources as a means of mitigating climate change and mediating political conflicts. At Brown, Lauren helps lead the Rhode Island Student Climate Coalition and is involved with the Energize Rhode Island Coalition. She is most likely to be found roasting squash in the Environmental Program House and fighting against all odds to Save the UEL."
Ms. Logan Dreher Researcher, Climate and Development Lab, Brown University - Watson Institute:
"Logan Dreher is a junior concentrating in Environmental Studies with a focus in environmental inequality. She's interested in social and political organizing within the environmental movement and the possibility of coalition building with other social justice movements. This summer, Logan worked with the Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments Center to research climate adaptation in tribal communities in the Great Lakes region. At Brown, Logan helps lead Environmental Justice at Brown and is involved with sexual health and gender equity education across campus."
Mr. Ian Lefond, Researcher, Climate and Development Lab, Brown University - Watson Institute:
"Ian Lefond is a junior double concentrating in International Relations and Environmental Studies, with a focus on sustainability in development. He is interested in global climate and forest finance programs, particularly as they relate both to climate change and biodiversity. He is also interested in the intersection of climate change, environmental degradation, and conflict. At Brown, he works as a research assistant for Assistant Professor Robert Blair on a project to better understand peacekeeping conflicts. He has also been a volunteer for OLEEP, an environmental education program on campus, and plays the cello in the University orchestra. He can be found running on a trail along a river somewhere."
Ms. Frishta Qaderi, Researcher, Climate and Development Lab, Brown University - Watson Institute:
"Frishta Qaderi is a sophomore studying International Development and History. She is particularly interested in Least Developed Countries and their position in international climate negotiations. Frishta studied at the American University of Central Asia in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan over the summer where she was exposed to a thorough geopolitical, environmental, and anthropological analysis of Central Asia. At Brown, Frishta is a member of the Ivy Council and the Brown Journal of World Affairs."
Ms. Julianna Bradley, Researcher, Climate and Development Lab, Brown University - Watson Institute:
"Julianna Bradley is a senior studying Environmental Anthropology. She is passionate about climate justice, climate-resilient agriculture, and environmental journalism. This past summer, Julianna worked in the CDL co-authoring a chapter for a book on 'Capacity Building for Climate Change'. In the past, she has worked for Farm Fresh Rhode Island in their farmer’s market access program and for Fundacion Runa supporting environmental justice and agroforestry. At Brown, Julianna is a teacher’s assistant for the Urban Agriculture Course, the Urban Environmental Lab Garden Coordinator, and the Brown Farmer’s Market Manager. Julianna is pursuing a career in environmental journalism and climate activism. She is most likely found reading on the quiet green with a non-descript bag of veggies somewhere near."
A career in climate activism? Nice work if you can get it. Who pays your salary?
Mr. Aaron Ziemer, Researcher, Climate and Development Lab, Brown University - Watson Institute:
"Aaron Ziemer is a junior concentrating in Political Science, with an interest in political economy, poverty, and the possibility of just, non-growth based economic systems. Currently, he is trying to learn about the history of meaningful international solidarity among social movements, rigorous visions for alternative economic structures, and how some states manage to have low average incomes and carbon footprints while maintaining high indicators of welfare. He transferred to Brown from a small college in California where the students managed their own conduct as well as the school’s admissions and academic programs while also operating a cattle ranch. At Brown, Aaron is involved with the Working Families Party and the Brown Environmental Justice Group."
Ms. Alexandra Barba, Researcher, Climate and Development Lab, Brown University - Watson Institute:
"Alex Barba is a Master's Candidate in the Public Affairs program. Her background is in politics and communication. While completing her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at Carleton College, she interned on the Hill with then-Congressman Mark Udall’s office and later worked for the National Democratic Party in 2008, supervising the Obama/Udall efforts in three western counties in Colorado. After graduation, she returned to Washington, D.C. to work with energy lawyers on financing renewable energy projects through the Department of Energy’s Loan Guarantee Program. She then returned to her hometown of Boulder, Colorado, to combine her interest in communications and environmental policy by working on former Vice President Gore’s Climate Reality Project."
Ms. Allison Meakem, Researcher, Climate and Development Lab, Brown University - Watson Institute:
"Allison Meakem is a sophomore who has yet to declare a concentration but who is acutely interested in crafting effective policies to work towards equity and views adaptation to climate change as central to achieving this goal. As a German-American, Allison has observed firsthand the stark differences in how her two nations approach climate change and engage their citizens and is determined to instill in the American public the same apolitical sense of urgency and necessity with which climate action is regarded in Germany. This past summer, Allison interned in the Brussels studio of Deutsche Welle, Germany's international public broadcaster, and gained an insider's perspective on the politics of the European Commission. At Brown, Allison is an editor and former staff writer for the 'World' section of the Brown Political Review and a member of the Ivy Film Festival's Outreach Board. In her rare spurts of free time, Allison likes to run, swim, and catch up on late-night comedy."
Ms. Mara Dolan, Researcher, Climate and Development Lab, Brown University - Watson Institute:
"Mara Dolan is a sophomore concentrating in Political Science and Environmental Studies, with a focus on the environment and inequality. Before Brown, she lived in Costa Rica and Uganda, reinforcing her dedication to finding a just climate solution that prioritizes the voices and needs of emerging economies. She is particularly interested in the international politics of climate change, how it can exacerbate or cause violent conflict, and the capacity of multinational bodies to be regulators or supporters. Outside of the CDL, Mara is a staff writer for both the College Independent newspaper and the Brown Political Review, as well as a Writing Fellow for a public health course. She also works with Brown’s Political Science Department on research concerning the disaggregation of United Nations peacekeeping efforts in sub-Saharan Africa. After work hours, she can most likely be found trying unsuccessfully to revive her succulent plant collection."
All very earnest, a bunch of true-believers, for sure. I couldn't imagine chewing the fat with any of them over a pint down at the local, though. I don't imagine it would be a barrel of laughs.
Mark Hodgson
Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation sent 8 delegates to COP 23. Their website is here:
http://www.tzuchi.org/
In English, it's here:
http://tw.tzuchi.org/en/
"In 1966, Dharma Master Cheng Yen established the Tzu Chi Foundation in Hualien, on the east coast of Taiwan. With the spirit of self-discipline, diligence, frugality, and perseverance, Tzu Chi set out to help the poor and relieve suffering. Over time, the foundation’s mission started with Charity and extended into Medicine, Education, and Humanistic Culture. Tzu Chi originated in the remote Hualien area and expanded to all five major continents of the world with chapters and offices in 47 countries. Tzu Chi provides aid to over 69 nations. Its volunteers selflessly contribute through a mindset of gratitude, expressing their sincerest care and support to each and every individual in need.
The shared goal of Tzu Chi volunteers is to cultivate sincerity, integrity, faith, and honesty within while exercising kindness, compassion, joy, and selflessness to humanity through concrete actions. Transcending the bounds of race, nationality, language, and religion, they serve the world under the notion that “when others are hurting, we feel their pain; when others suffer, we feel their sorrow”. Not only do the volunteers endeavor to promote the universal value of “Great Love,” they also fully employ the humanitarian spirit of Chinese culture to its utmost. Tzu Chi Foundation’s “Four Major Missions” consist of Charity, Medicine, Education, and Humanity. Furthermore, considering ongoing efforts in Bone Marrow Donation, Environmental Protection, Community Volunteerism, and International Relief, these eight concurrent campaigns are collectively known as “Tzu Chi’s Eight footprints”"
Almost inevitably, and rather sadly, it also includes this:
"If we live a simple lifestyle and reduce our carbon footprint while constantly cherishing the earth, we shall slow down the global warming crisis."
If we reduce our carbon footprint. Is that why they sent 8 delegates half-way round the world to a talking shop?
Delegates:
Ms. Tzehuei Tseng, Executive Vice President, Administration/Management:
Not a lot online, but seems to be a regular at COPs.
Mr. Chi-Ming Peng, advisor, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation:
I'm guessing that this is him:
"“From Crisis to Opportunity: Climate Change” by Dr. Peng Wednesday, April 6, 2016, 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Room B105, Main Campus
In early 2016, several big news reports on climate change were broadcasted, and Arctic Oscillation was one of them. What does Arctic Oscillation have anything to do with Taiwan? Why did March have some extremely cold weather? Coarse particles (PM 10) and fine particles (PM 2.5) have significant effects on the environment, but what can we do? We can learn more about these issues from scientific perspectives and face them.
About the Speaker: Dr. Chi-Ming Peng
CEO of Weather Risk Explore, Inc.
Chief Secretary of the Environmental Protection Society, R.O.C.
Adjunct Professor of National Central University
Adjunct Professor of Chinese Cultural University
Weather Anchor for DaAi TV
Organized by: The Office of Humanities, and the Office of General Affairs"
Ms. Mei-Feng Lin, Commissioner, Deutsch Region:
"Mei-Feng lived and grown up near the historical part of Taipei City, Taiwan. She had very often the chance to observe the traditional festival activities since she was a child. She was also interested in learning the tradition from the elderly members in the family, and participated in preparing and celebrating the traditional events.
After graduating from University, she went to U.S.A and later Germany for further education. She likes to travel and has visited many countries in the world. She currently lives in Germany with her husband and is a volunteer for the charity Tzu Chi Foundation. As a Buddhist, she promotes vegetarian, and believes everyone has a Buddha's nature."
Ms. Enting Branda Ng, Special Project Lead:
"Extending a Helping Hand to the Victims of the Tsunami Disaster
Joining our nation’s efforts to provide humanitarian aid to tsunami-stricken countries,
our healthcare professionals came forward and participated in the NHG relief missions to
render medical help to the victims in Banda Aceh, Indonesia and Trincomalee, Sri Lanka.
7 of our colleagues, Clinical A/Prof Suresh Pillai, Senior Consultant, Department of
Emergency Medicine, Dr Kao Pao Tang, Registar, Department of Paediatrics, Wu Tuck Seng,
Manager, Pharmacy, Norhayati Binti Salleh, Nurse Manager, Pung Ai Khim, Nurse Manager,
Shymala D/O Sivalingam, Staff Nurse, and Ng Enting Branda, Staff Nurse, were part of the
NHG Medical Relief Team to tsunami hit areas. Through NHG, we also responded to the
Singapore Red Cross through collection of $35,263.50 for the “Tidal Waves Asia Fund”.
Our colleagues whose family members were affected by this disaster were not forgotten
– a total of about $6,322 was raised for them. "
Mr. Jan Wolf:
"Far Eastern Tea Culture and a Bed for Refugees:
Taiwan Cultural
Evening in Gießen Gießen, 30.9.2015. The audience was not astonished: what looks like an oversized folding basket, which can be easily carried on one arm turns out in seconds as a comfortable bedstead, and even a hand later as a solid sofa with backrest. "Can you buy this for your own home?" Asks an interested listener.
The idea for this product came from Dharma Master Cheng Yen from Taiwan: What to do when the need is so great that refugees and disaster victims must sleep on the bare ground? For example, Taiwanese engineers developed the "multifunctional lounger Jing Si" on their behalf, which the Buddhist aid organization Tzu-Chi distributes free of charge to the needy worldwide. Jan Wolf, who is committed to Tzu-Chi in Germany, can imagine a mission in German refugee camps. After all, the product "Made in Taiwan" has already won the "Red Dot Design Award" in Germany in 2014."
Ms. Kar Men Long
Mr. Tham Chen Hoong
Ms. Hwei Geok Ng:
"Student Assistant at University of Hamburg
Hamburg and surroundings, GermanyIT und Services
Current
University of Hamburg
Earlier
Longbow Technologies Sdn Bhd, Gain Secure Sdn Bhd
education
University of Hamburg"
Mark Hodgson
Business Council for Sustainable Energy sent 7 delegates to COP 23. Their website is here:
https://www.bcse.org/
"The BCSE is an organization dedicated to implementing market-based approaches to reducing pollution and providing a diverse, secure mix of energy resources. Through our extensive national and international network, the Council works on issues pertaining to climate change, international financing, clean energy tax equity and global market development.
Our membership includes companies on the cutting edge of efficient, economic and environmentally sound fuels and technologies, such as natural gas, wind, solar, geothermal and hydropower, combined heat and power, insulation and fuel cells. The Council’s industry coalition also includes power developers, equipment manufacturers, independent generators, green power marketers, retailers, gas and electric utilities as well as several of the primary trade associations in these sectors.
The Council is a member-driven organization which is guided by a Board of Directors. The Council has a professional staff that designs and implements programs and policy initiatives, leads internal task force meetings and discussions and actively promotes the mission of the Council through all of its efforts.
The Council is not-for-profit, 501(c)(6) organization based in Washington, DC."
"The Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) – a coalition of companies and associations from the energy efficiency, natural gas and renewable energy sectors – joins the Talanoa Dialogue and the 23rd Conference of the Parties (COP 23) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) hosted by Fiji in Bonn, Germany to show how the progress of clean energy can power country ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resilience through the transformation of the energy sector."
"The Council provides unique expertise in the design of policies and market-based initiatives that accelerate clean energy technology investments. The Council has been highly effective in bringing together a broad range of stakeholders, including environmental and energy regulators, environmental organizations, and business and industry executives to improve energy planning and environmental policy."
Sounds like a lobbying group to me.
Delegates:
Ms. Lisa Jacobson, President:
"Lisa Jacobson serves as the President of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) and manages the day-to-day operations of the organization. Ms. Jacobson has advised states and federal policymakers on energy, tax, air quality and climate change issues. She is a member of the Department of Energy's State Energy Efficiency steering committee. Ms. Jacobson has testified before Congress and has represented clean energy industries before the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Prior to her position with the BCSE, Ms. Jacobson was a legislative aide to the U.S. Congress; received a Masters in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science; and a Bachelors degree in Political Science from the University of Vermont."
Ms. Ashley Allen, Climate and Land Senior Manager, Mars Inc:
"Ashley Allen, Senior Manager Sustainability at Mars Inc. spoke to the We Mean Business coalition about the critical role of sustainable land use for the company’s success and calls on companies to double down on their climate action:
How important is the issue of sustainable land use to Mars?
As a global food company, responsible and sustainable land use is very important to our business. More efficient large-scale farming has helped feed a growing population, but also faces challenges, including degrading soil quality, chemical run-off and the effects of climate change. Mars relies on agriculture to provide stable and high-quality ingredients for our products, and we recognize our responsibility to protect land for future use while preserving biodiversity and natural resources.
At Mars, we rely on science as our guide in setting sustainability goals, and the science tells us that the planet is right on the cusp of the sustainable limit of land area used to cultivate crops. That’s why we set a goal to hold flat the total land area associated with our value chain. This is an ambitious goal, but the science tells us it’s the right one.
How is making land use more sustainable good for business?
We know that healthy agricultural ecosystems produce better raw materials such as rice and cocoa with more stability over time. This is critical for the health of the planet and the well-being of farming communities. More sustainable agricultural practices can lead to higher crop yields, lower pollution, and greater resilience to storms and other extreme weather events. This helps improve supply stability and can provide greater returns to the farmers who supply our business and many others.
What would you say to other companies considering whether to address sustainability?
All companies should double down on their sustainability efforts and look at the long-term benefits of such action to their business. Mars Board Chairman, Stephen Badger said it best, “There are rewards for doing the right thing. It makes us a more attractive partner to customers, governments and NGOs, and it ensures our relevance to consumers”.
How is Mars creating a more resilient and resource-efficient supply chain?
With our recently launched Sustainable in a Generation Plan, Mars is changing the way we do business. We’re making conscious decisions to do what’s right, not just do things incrementally better. We’re reducing our environmental impacts in line with what science says is necessary to keep the planet healthy. And we’re working to meaningfully improve the working lives of one million people in our value chain to enable them to thrive. Importantly, we’re also advancing science, innovation and marketing in ways that help billions of people and their pets lead healthier, happier lives.
How have strategic climate commitments, such as RE100 and science-based targets, helped your efforts to decarbonize?
Our climate commitments are critical to the resilience and relevance of our business. We started with a commitment to eliminate 100% of the GHG emissions in our direct operations, and we’re making progress there by investing in renewables at scale. By the end of 2018 we’ll be using or purchasing renewable electricity to cover 100% of our operations in 11 countries including the United Kingdom, United States, Brazil, France, Mexico and others. But our direct operations are only a small fraction of our carbon footprint. That’s why we’ve now set a science-based, value chain commitment to reduce our GHG emissions by two-thirds by 2050.
When we joined RE100, we were one of only 3 companies making that commitment. Now there are 100+ companies committed to RE100. We hope the same growth will occur with full value chain science-based targets in the near future.
RE100 is brought to you by The Climate Group in partnership with CDP.
Mars Inc’s science-based target has been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The SBTi is a collaboration between CDP, World Resources Institute (WRI), the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) and the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC)."
Mr. Jeff Moe,Global Director Product Advocacy, Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, Ingersoll Rand:
"Jeff Moe, global director of energy policy and product advocacy at Ingersoll Rand, a manufacturing company, said the firm is discussing internally whether to include nuclear, on top of renewable energy, as part of its sustainability portfolio going forward. When prodded by me during a panel discussion at the conference, Moe said the company's operations in France are considered clean — largely because France gets 75% of its electricity from nuclear power."
What will he do when France stops using nuclear-generated power?
Mr. Clay Nesler, Vice President, Global Sustainability and Industry Initiatives, Johnson Controls:
"Clay Nesler is the vice president of global energy and sustainability for the building efficiency business of Johnson Controls. In this role, he is responsible for overall energy and sustainability strategy, policy, communications and innovation on a global basis. He is also a member of the Johnson Controls sustainability leadership team responsible for setting overall sustainability strategy and policy across the corporation.
Since joining Johnson Controls in 1983, Clay has held a variety of leadership positions in technology, new product development, marketing and strategy in both the United States and Europe. He has been active in ASHRAE as an author, speaker and technical committee chairman. He is the recipient of the 2005 CoreNet H. Bruce Russell Global Innovator’s Award for development of the Solutions Navigator™ game board-based collaborative planning tool. He is also listed as the co-inventor of ten US Patents. Clay holds BS and MS degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Clay currently serves on the Wisconsin Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming, the Executive Committee for the Energy Efficiency Forum in Washington, DC and the advisory committee for the Climate Registry."
Mr. Kevin Rabinovitch, Global Sustainability Director, Mars Inc:
"Mr. Rabinovitch is the Global Director of Sustainability for Mars, Inc. In his role he develops and deploys strategies, goals, targets and policies relating to all aspects of sustainability (climate, water, waste, etc.) for Mars’ operations.
Mr. Rabinovitch also chairs the Sustainability sub-group of the Mars Scientific Advisory Council which advises Mars on the science behind our sustainability decisions throughout our entire supply chain. Kevin has been with Mars for 16 years, 3 years in sustainability and the first 13 in R&D functions of multiple Mars business segments in the U.S. and Europe specializing in technology development, scale up and intellectual property. Kevin joined Mars with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University and subsequently earned an MBA in Entrepreneurship. Based in Nashville, TN, he is also an adjunct professor in the MS/MBA sustainability program at Lipscomb University."
Ms. Carolyn Sloan, Manager, Federal Policy:
"Carolyn Sloan is the Manager of Federal Policy for the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE), and supports all communications for the organization. Ms. Sloan received her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Richmond School of Law, and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy from the College of William and Mary. Prior to joining the BCSE, Ms. Sloan interned with the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Department of Justice’s environmental division."
Mr. Thomas Weber, President, Jupiter Oxygen Corporation:
"Thomas Weber works directly with the CEO and the executive management team to expand Jupiter Oxygen’s clean energy business and project development in the U.S. and internationally.
Thomas represents Jupiter Oxygen as a member and stakeholder in key organizations with a focus on energy efficiency and clean energy technology, such as the Washington DC based Alliance to Save Energy (ASE), and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE), as well as the Global CCS Institute (GCCSI), and the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF). He regularly participates as BCSE delegate at the United Nations’ Climate Change Talks. In January 2013, Thomas was elected to the Board of Directors of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy.
His focus on sustainability business aspects supporting clean technology development and deployment at Jupiter Oxygen includes clean technology financing, as well as carbon market and emission trade policies.
Before joining Jupiter Oxygen USA in 2004, he had sixteen years of experience in interdisciplinary project management in German companies, with 10 years at a construction firm, including as CEO. As lead project manager and then chief executive officer, Thomas had to balance economical and environmental aspects of major infrastructure and urban redevelopment projects in form East Germany with a focus on Berlin’s metropolitan area after reunification.
Thomas holds an engineering degree from Nuertingen University of Applied Science in Germany [German: Hochschule fuer Wirtschaft und Umwelt Nuertingen - Geislingen]. In 2009, Thomas was awarded a Kellogg Management Institute Certificate from Kellogg School of Management of Northwestern University Chicago."
Mark Hodgson
Business for Social Responsibility sent 7 delegates to COP 23. Their website is here:
https://www.bsr.org/en/
"BSR™ is a global nonprofit organization that works with its network of more than 250 member companies and other partners to build a just and sustainable world. From its offices in Asia, Europe, and North America, BSR™ develops sustainable business strategies and solutions through consulting, research, and cross-sector collaboration. Learn more about BSR’s 25 years of leadership in sustainability.
Our mission is to work with business to create a just and sustainable world. We envision a world in which everyone can lead a prosperous and dignified life within the boundaries of the Earth’s natural resources."
Perhaps inevitably, if you search their website using "climate" as the search term, it turns up loads of articles. Stuff like:
Reports: Adapting to Climate Change: A Guide for the ICT Industry
Reports: Communicating on Climate Policy Engagement
Reports: Adapting to Climate Change: A Guide for the Consumer Products Industry
Reports: Preparing for the Unpredictable: Lessons on Adapting to Climate Change
etc, etc, etc.
Delegates:
Mr. David Wei:
"David leads BSR’s climate practice to maximize the impact of our applied research, collaborative initiatives, and work with individual companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build climate resilience. He is also the international policy lead for the We Mean Business coalition.
Before joining BSR, David was a climate diplomat for the Marshall Islands with the advisory group Independent Diplomat and led on transparency issues in the UN climate negotiations for the Alliance of Small Island States. As an international lawyer with the Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development, David built up the environmental treaty expertise of countries across the globe. He began his career as a securities litigator with Fried Frank in New York before focusing on climate change and energy.
David holds a LL.M. in International Law from New York University, a J.D. and M.A. in International Relations from the University of Toronto, and a B.A. in Ethics, Politics, and Economics from Yale University."
Ms. Samantha Harris:
"Samantha (Sam) deploys her climate change expertise through work on climate resilience and emissions reductions for BSR’s climate change practice and related work with the We Mean Business coalition.
Before joining BSR, Sam worked on the Climate Action Network policy team, where she drove the development of common positions for hundreds of NGOs during international climate negotiations, focusing in particular on short-term mitigation action, a long-term global goal, climate finance, and low-carbon technology. Sam was previously at the NGO Islands First, advising Pacific small island states on climate change and oceans policy. She began her career as one of the first paralegals in the enforcement division of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Sam holds an M.A. in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University and a B.A. in International Relations from Boston University."
Ms. Emily Hickson, B-Team:
"Before joining The B Team in March 2017, Emily spent three years working at Climate Action Network (CAN), a network of over 1,000 NGOs working on climate change. During her time there she coordinated campaigning to influence country targets ahead of the Paris Agreement. Latterly, she worked at both regional and international level with civil society, city networks, business networks and faith groups to campaign on 100% Renewable Energy.
Before joining the climate movement, Emily worked for Crisis Action, an organisation campaigning to protect civilians from armed conflict, where she worked on an emergency response campaign on the escalating conflict in the Central African Republic. Previous to this Emily worked at the European Commission in a communications role, promoting foreign language education across Europe and in particular in the UK.
Emily holds a BA in International Relations from Durham University, UK and a MSc in Violence, Conflict and Development from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). Emily currently works out of London."
Mr. Eric Olson, Senior Vice President, Advisory Services:
"With more than 20 years in the consulting field, Eric leads BSR's global consulting practice to design and implement sustainability strategies that create business value by addressing some of the world’s greatest challenges.
In addition to advising the CEOs and senior teams of several global companies, Eric plays a lead role on a number of BSR’s collaborative initiatives, including the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance, the Net Positive Project, and Future of Fuels, as well as our work with the We Mean Business coalition.
Prior to joining BSR, Eric worked with the Natural Step in San Francisco, accelerating sustainability through strategic counsel on a broad range of corporate responsibility matters that included supply chain management and sustainable development. He also has served as vice president at the Boston Consulting Group and was a partner and founding member of the global consultancy Mitchell Madison Group.
Eric was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, where he earned an M.S. in Russian and East European Studies. He also holds a B.A. in Chemistry from Macalester College."
Ms. Emilie Prattico, Manager, Partnership Development & Research:
"Emilie leads the development and stewardship of strategic partnerships with government, the private sector, and civil society at BSR. Emilie also contributes to BSR’s thought leadership on climate issues. Before joining BSR, Emilie worked as a consultant with local governments in California on climate action strategies and on engaging with private sector stakeholders on climate policy planning. She has worked with companies in the transportation, manufacturing, and agriculture sectors on supply chain sustainability and climate impacts. Her research has focused on issues such as climate justice, EU climate financing reform, and the politics and ethics of natural resource distribution. Emilie also served nine years as a university lecturer in philosophy and sociology and has presented research in political philosophy and in sustainability around the world. Emilie speaks French, English, German, and Italian. Emilie holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Northwestern University, an M.Sc in Management and Sustainability from HEC (Paris), and a B.A. in Philosophy and Theology from the University of Oxford."
Ms. Leah Seligman, B-Team:
"Leah leads the B team’s climate change efforts as the Director of the Net-Zero Initiative, which aims to drive CEO commitment to climate action.
Formerly the Chief Sustainability Officer of NRG Energy where she lead the sustainability program for the largest competitive electricity generator in the United States and a leading retail provider of electricity and energy services. During her time at NRG, the company produced about 50,000 megawatts of power from a diverse portfolio of solar, wind, nuclear, coal and gas facilities at roughly 140 locations. Leah developed the strategy and managed the evolution of NRG’s sustainability efforts from reporting and compliance to vocal leadership and investment on climate change. During her tenure NRG set industry leading, science-based carbon reduction goals to reduce their footprint 50% by 2030 and 90% by 2050. becoming a leader in practical and innovative solutions that address the toughest societal and environmental issues affecting NRG’s business.
Leah’s experience spans a broad range of industries and sustainable strategies, including energy, sustainable agriculture, waste reduction and recycling, employee engagement, valuation of ecosystem services, packaging innovation, supply chain transparency and innovation, sustainable merchandising, and greenhouse gas reduction. During her tenure, NRG achieved several awards including the NASDAQ OMX CRF Global Sustainability Index top 100 company, Intelex’s Environmental Stewardship Award, the CDP Award for Water Leadership and the Corporate Eco Forum’s C.K. Prahalad Award.
Before joining NRG, Leah was a consultant for Blu Skye Consulting, which advised leading companies such as Alcoa, Walmart, and Microsoft and engaged their top executives in their corporate sustainability efforts. During her time at Blu Skye, some of her projects included helping Alcoa to bring together the recycling industry in an effort to align 77 organizations on the goal and plan to increase recycling of consumer packaging by 20 percentage points by 2015; supporting Walmart’s sustainable Palm Oil initiative; and Microsoft’s Carbon Reduction strategy."
Mr. Nigel Topping, CEO, We Mean Business:
"Nigel Topping is passionate about the role of business in addressing global challenges. He is currently C.E.O. of We Mean Business, a coalition of leading organizations working with business to take action on climate change. Previously, he worked as executive director at CDP (formerly, Carbon Disclosure Project), driving innovation, collaboration and the expansion of CDP's work.
Mr. Topping sits on the external sustainability councils of SAP and Procter & Gamble, and is a commissioner on the Energy Transition Commission, an associate with Leaders' Quest, chairs Schumacher College and is a nonexecutive director at Regen S.W., a nonprofit, local renewable energy service provider in the Southwest of England.
Prior to joining CDP, Mr. Topping spent 18 years in the manufacturing sector, running production facilities and businesses, most recently as a member of the management buyout team and senior vice president of TMD Friction, a global automotive component manufacturing company.
Mr. Topping has extensive international experience, having worked in Spain, the United States, Germany and Britain at various times in his career. He also has significant experience in emerging markets, having led projects in Brazil, India and China.
Mr. Topping obtained his undergraduate degree in mathematics from Cambridge University where he also won two rugby Blues. He completed his master's degree in holistic science from Schumacher College in Devon, England.
He has spent a lot of time on icecaps on several scientific and mountaineering expeditions to Iceland, Greenland and Patagonia. During the summer of 2016, he sailed the Northwest Passage from Greenland to Alaska as part of a scientific team exploring the impact of climate change on this crucial ecosystem."
It sounds as though Nigel's "carbon footprint" is significantly larger than mine!
Mark Hodgson
Business Unity South Africa sent 2 delegates to COP 23. Their website is here:
http://www.busa.org.za/
"BUSA is a non-profit company, representing organised business in South Africa. BUSA consists of 36 organisational members representing the following membership categories: unisectoral organisations, corporate representative organisations, chambers of commerce and industry and professional organisations. There is a closed group of 23 corporate members that constitutes a Board of Trustees. BUSA was formed in 2003 as the apex body representing organised business in South Africa. The vision was to unite organised business and build upon the instrumental role played by certain business in the peaceful transition to democracy. At the time, it joined together the former Business South Africa, that was representative of established business organisations and organisations representing black business interests. In 2013, however, the BMF and a number of professional organisations exited BUSA and joined together to form the Black Business Council (BBC). BUSA is the formally recognised representative of business at the National Economic Development and Labour Advisory Council (NEDLAC). BUSA members represent business on a variety of statutory bodies and advisory councils. Together with the BBC, BUSA represents business on the Presidential Business Working Group. BUSA and many of its members are represented on the CEO Initiative Steering Committee. BUSA is affiliated with the SADC Private Sector Forum, the BRICS Council, Business Africa, and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) as well as playing a role in the B20. BUSA does and has the opportunity to cement its role as the leading apex body in South Africa speaking for and behalf of business. There is some confusion as to which body represents all of business. The need to address this extends to explicit co-operation with members of BUSA such as SACCI and BLSA, as well as addressing some of the confusion externally as to the role of the CEO initiative and the BBC.
Careful consideration must to be given as to how to leverage BUSA as the representative voice of business in South Africa and internationally. The strategy considers how to focus and resource BUSA to play this significant role. BUSA is primarily funded by membership fees. It further receives research funding and technical advice from a number of sources. The key sources being: International Labour Organisation; Employment Promotion Project; Business Leadership South Africa; and Constituency Capacity Funding for Nedlac and the National Skills Fund.
OUR VISION
The unified voice of business which serves to keep business interests at the heart of economic and socio-economic policy.
MISSION AND PURPOSE
BUSA aims to ensure that organised business plays a constructive role in ensuring an economic and socio-economic environment conducive to inclusive economic growth, development and economic transformation. Such an environment is critical for businesses of all sizes and in all sectors to thrive, expand and be competitive both domestically and internationally. "
Delegates:
Ms. Shamini Harrington:
"Shamini Harrington has a Master's Degree in Environmental Science with a specialisation in climate change policy. She is currently Sasol's Principal SHE Policy and Sustainability Advisor and has worked at the company for 11 years. Her career began as a researcher at the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research before moving into a corporate environment focusing on environmental and climate change management for Sasol's operations. She also spent about 5 years negotiating international climate change policy as the first business representative on South Africa's negotiating team at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change."
Ms. Joanne Ruth Yawitch, Chief Executive Officer:
"Current position
2011 to date: Chief Executive Officer National Business Initiative
In this capacity I manage a Business Coalition made up of around 130 companies working on sustainability issues. The organization focuses on environmental sustainability as well as socio economic sustainability issues that include skills development and sound corporate governance. I report to the Board of the NBI, am an Executive Director and have overall accountability for the organization, its funding and its work.
Academic qualifications and training
Academics:
Matriculated Sandringham High School 1974
BA Degree, University of the Witwatersrand (1978
BA Honours, University of the Witwatersrand (1979)
MA Development Studies, University of the Witwatersrand (1984)
MSc Agricultural Development (with Distinction), Wye College, University of London, 1995
Training:
Covey – Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
Covey – Four Habits of Leadership
Neuro-Linguistic Programming Masters Training (Spain)
Job Evaluation Panel Training – Gauteng Provincial Government
Mastering People Management – Gauteng Provincial Government
Labour Relations Training – Gauteng Provincial Government
WWF Training course on Resource Economics
PPP Training – National Treasury
Presidential Strategic Leadership Programme (PSLDP) Modules on Strategic Management and Project Management
Coaching - Coaching Training International
Career / memberships / positions / other activities
Positions:
2010 – 2011: Deputy Director General - Climate Change
2004 – 2010: Deputy Director General Environmental Quality and Protection, Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
1997 – 2004: Head of Branch: Sustainable Use of the Environment. Gauteng Provincial Government. Department of Agriculture, Conservation, Environment and Land Affairs (Chief Director level)
1994 –1997: Special Adviser, Minister of Land Affairs
1990 – 1994 Director, National Land Committee:
1984 – 1990 Fieldworker, Transvaal Rural Action Committee
1980 – 1984 Resource Centre Manager, Wits University
Other activities
Board Member National Research Foundation 2014
Co-Chair Education and Skills Task Team for the Presidential Business Working Group 2013 - 2014
Adjudicator Nedbank Capital Sustainable Development Awards 2013 and 2014
Adjudicator Mail and Guardian Greening the Future 2014
Member of Institute of Directors Sustainable Development Forum 2013
Member of the GRI Advisory Committee 2014
Trustee – Indalo Yethu 2006 to 2011
Board member of the South African Weather Services 2006 to 2011
Board member of the National Nuclear Regulator 2007 to 2011
Board member of the Minerals and Mining Development Board 2007 to 2011
Board Member of the National Botanical Institute, 2003
DACEL Representative on the Board of the Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA), 1998 to 2002, and member of the MEC’s Advisory Committee on the GTA.
Chairperson of the Project Management Committee of the Greening the Summit Project (2002 – 2003)
DACEL Representative to the IUCN Country Committee
Expert Member of the Development and Planning Commission, 1996 – 1998
Trustee, Restitution Trust 1996 – 1998
NLC Representative in the Local Government Negotiations, 1993
Member of the Board of the Land and Agriculture Policy Centre, 1994 – 1996
Representative of the TIC to Codesa Working Group 4, 1992 – 1993
ANC Land Committee Member, 1990 – 1996
Chairperson and Deputy Chair Person of the UDF affiliated Johannesburg Democratic Action Committee (1985 to 1987)"
Mark Hodgson
BusinessEurope sent 5 delegates to COP 23. Their website is here:
https://www.businesseurope.eu/
Perhaps they were there to inject some realism?
"Mission and priorities
BusinessEurope is the leading advocate for growth and competitiveness at European level, standing up for companies across the continent and campaigning on the issues that most influence their performance. A recognised social partner, we speak for all-sized enterprises in 34 European countries whose national business federations are our direct members.
The organisation is headquartered in Brussels at the heart of the EU institutions. We work on behalf of our member federations to ensure that the voice of business is heard in European policy-making. We interact regularly with the European Parliament, Commission and Council as well as other stakeholders in the policy community. We also represent European business in the international arena, ensuring that Europe remains globally competitive.
10 priorities for the European Commission 2014-2019 - Put competitiveness first
Ten political priorities should lead the European Commission and its President Jean-Claude Juncker to improve the investment climate in Europe and encourage job-creating entrepreneurship. In its message to the new European Commission (28 October 2014, .pdf/2.9 MB), BusinessEurope identified these ten priorities. European companies count on the new European leaders to adopt and implement the necessary measures swiftly to improve competitiveness.
Commenting on the publication, BusinessEurope President Emma Marcegaglia said: "Europe is at a crossroads and at the beginning of a new European political cycle. President Jean-Claude Juncker should give a clear priority to competitiveness and well-targeted investment, and insist on reforms. This is the best way to bring more work places to the 25 million unemployed people in Europe today."
BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer added: "The Juncker Commission should focus on competitiveness and should fully embrace the objective of generating at least 20% of EU GDP in industry by 2020. We need an ambitious trade agenda, better governance and competitive energy prices".
Vision for a globally competitive EU in 2019
BusinessEurope message ‘Picture a Global Europe’ sets out a vision of the EU in 2019 and calls upon decision-makers to help make this vision a reality.
We are convinced that by acting together in the European Union, our economies and societies are stronger. European companies want to invest in Europe and throughout the world. EU policy-makers must help business create the jobs, investment and opportunity that will secure our global future by urgently implementing competitiveness, growth and employment-enhancing policy changes throughout Europe.
Commenting on the publication, BusinessEurope President Emma Marcegaglia said: “Europe is at a turning point. We have spent the last five years essentially in crisis management mode, looking inward and tackling internal EU problems. We must now look outward, ensuring that Europe becomes more competitive on the global stage, in order to create the prosperity that both business and citizens aspire to.”
BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer added: “Europe is slowly returning to growth, but progress is slow. Companies are driving recovery, but require a policy framework that encourages investment and expansion. With a sharper focus on competitiveness, the EU can achieve more substantial annual growth and renew its position as a global economic power.”
The BusinessEurope message refers to a number of key policy areas where Europe should improve its performance: energy, innovation, competitiveness, talent, internal and external trade, financial stability and entrepreneurship. It identifies areas where Europe has fallen behind its global competitors and has the potential to improve its performance with a renewed political effort."
None of that seems to rest easily with the idea of expensive "renewable" energy to "save the planet".
And yet, these are the delegates:
Mr. Leon de Graaf, Adviser, Industrial Affairs, BusinessEurope:
"As an adviser for environmental and climate policy, Leon de Graaf particularly follows the policy reforms of the European emissions trading system (EU ETS), the implementation of the Paris climate agreement (COP21) and policies on the circular economy. Prior to joining BusinessEurope, Leon worked at the research consultancy Ecorys, focusing on renewable energy and international development issues, at DG COMP on energy and environmental subsidies in Europe, and at the Dutch Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) on indirect ETS costs for energy-intensive industries. Leon has a MSc in environmental eEconomics and climate change from the London School of Economics, and a BSc in business economics from the University of Groningen."
Mr. Nicholas Campbell, Environment Manager, Fluorinated Products, Arkema SA:
"Nick has spent 20 years working primarily on the ozone issue and climate change. He works for ARKEMA SA, based in Paris, as the Environment Manager for the Fluorinated Products Division.
Nick is Chairman of the BUSINESSEUROPE Climate Change Working group, representing EU Employers’ federations as well as the Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Working Party on Climate Change. He is chairman of the European Fluorocarbon Technical Committee (EFCTC) that represents the producers of fluorocarbons in the EU and the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC) Climate Change Policy Instruments Team. "
Mr. Marco Mannocchi, Policy Adviser, Delegation to the EU, Confindustria:
"Policy Officer specialized in EU affairs, with experience in industrial policy and institutional relations. Keen interest in EU affairs and politics, with sound background in Political Science and International Relations. Specialized in policy and legislative monitoring, advocacy coordination, institutional lobbying and business outreach
EU Policy Officer - Climate, Energy, Environment
Confindustria
September 2017 – Present (7 months)
Legislative monitoring, institutional relations and business outreach:
- Clean Energy Package (renewables, energy efficiency, electricity and gas markets)
- Climate change policy (Emission Trading System, international climate negotiations, F-Gas)
- Environmental legislation (waste, chemicals, circular economy, industrial emissions)
Member of BusinessEurope's Energy & Climate and Environment Working Groups
Confindustria
Policy Officer - Industrial Affairs
Confindustria
April 2015 – September 2017 (2 years 6 months)Rome Area, Italy
Analysis of EU and national policies related to climate change and their effects on the industrial system: Emissions Trading, Effort Sharing, F-Gas, international climate negotiations, climate finance, Energy Union, 2030 Framework for Climate & Energy, National Climate & Energy Plan, National Strategy on Sustainable Development, Industrial Emissions and Air Quality legislation
Confindustria - Delegation to the European Union
Policy Assistant - Climate, Energy, Environment, International Trade
Confindustria - Delegation to the European Union
February 2014 – March 2015 (1 year 2 months)
Legislative monitoring and institutional lobbying: 2030 Framework for Climate & Energy, Emission Trading System; Energy Union; Circular Economy; Air Quality (NEC & MCP). Participation to BUSINESSEUROPE Working Groups: Climate & Energy and Environment. Research, analysis and monitoring of the main commercial agreements negotiated by the EU: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP); EU-Canada Comprehensive Trade and Economic Agreement (CETA); EU-Japan Free Trade Agreement; EU-China Investment Agreement, EU-Ukraine Association Agreement"
Ms. Estelle Panier, Public Affairs Manager, Public Affairs:
"By Dominique AIMON,
Director of the Scientific and Technical Communication of the Michelin
and
Estelle PANIER Group,
Agricultural Engineer, Public Affairs Department of the Michelin Group
Despite a context of scarcity and higher prices for raw materials and the fight against climate change, mobility must progress even more. Because Michelin is convinced that mobility is one of the foundations of human development, our group is passionately innovating to meet these challenges. It is throughout the life cycle of the tire that the impact on natural resources (energy, raw materials, water) can be improved in a circular economy approach. Michelin's proposal is to simultaneously mobilize four levers of action over the entire life cycle of the tire and to bring a combination of solutions in favor of a better use of resources. It's the 4R strategy: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Renew."
Ms. Ann-Cathrin Vaage, Lead Consultant, Corporate Sustainability Unit:
"CICEP will help identify and develop models for international regimes and more specific measures that can accelerate conversion to sustainable future energy use. We try to solve this task by systematically analyzing which solutions best meet three sets of requirements: environmental sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and political realizability.
We also calculate likely economic consequences of realizable regimes and measures for global and European markets for energy and energy technology, for key Norwegian industries, and for policy making.
Board" includes Ann-Cathrin Vaage , Statoil
Mark Hodgson
C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group sent 6 delegates to COP 23. Their website is here:
http://www.c40.org/
"Cities are where the future happens first. The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group connects more than 90 of the world’s greatest cities, representing over 650 million people and one quarter of the global economy.
Created and led by cities, C40 is focused on tackling climate change and driving urban action that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks, while increasing the health, wellbeing and economic opportunities of urban citizens."
And much, much more in similar vein.
Delegates:
Ms. Emmanuelle Pinault, Head of City Diplomacy:
"Emmanuelle is in charge of the C40 City Diplomacy programme, which helps C40 members engage on the global stage with a powerful voice, in order to influence policies and markets and secure resources for their climate ambitions. She has been leading on C40's engagement in the Paris Agreement, the New Urban Agenda, 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda since 2015, in close partnership with the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, and the Global Task Force for Local and Regional Governments. In 2016, she initiated the CitiesIPCC campaign, aiming at raising the profile of urban issues in the IPCC, and in 2017, Urban 20, a city diplomacy initiative led by Buenos Aires and Paris to create a space for cities in the G20. Prior to joining C40, Emmanuelle worked as a diplomatic adviser to national and local governments in Africa and Latin America. Emmanuelle holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, from the Institute of Political Studies, Lyon (France), and a Postgraduate Diploma in Sociology, from the School of High Studies in Social Sciences – EHESS, Paris. "
"Emmanuelle Pinault is head of City Diplomacy and Political Engagement for the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group. She is responsible for engaging C40 cities in the global climate and urban debate in order to gain recognition for their leadership and mobilize greater resources for their climate action."
"Mobilise greater resources" - follow the money!
Ms. Andrea Fernandez, Director of Governance and Global, Partnerships:
"Andrea Fernández serves as C40’s Director of Governance and Global Partnerships. Andrea is responsible for overseeing C40's city diplomacy and finance programmes, and driving new strategic priorities and partnerships. Before joining C40, Andrea worked as a consultant at Arup for 11 years. In this role, she led high profile engagements related to sustainability and climate change in the urban environment, with a focus on policy, funding, governance and delivery strategies. Previously, Andrea worked in the World Bank’s Private Sector Development Department for five years, where she delivered investment appraisals and technical assistance for public enterprise reform and infrastructure projects in emerging economies. Andrea has a Bachelor’s degree in International Business and Economics from Concordia University and an MBA with a finance specialisation from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. "
Money, money, money!
Mr. Josh Harris:
"Josh is the Head of Media at C40. In this role, he works to showcase the efforts of C40 and it’s member cities to journalists worldwide. Josh works closely with media teams in C40 member cities to help them secure additional international press coverage for their climate efforts. Prior to joining C40, Josh led the European media relations team for the humanitarian aid NGO, International Medical Corps. Josh has previously worked in communications roles in the Houses of Parliament, Lloyds Banking Group and the Overseas Development Institute, and has spent time working in DRC, Jordan, Ethiopia and Sierra Leone."
Ms. Clare Emily Healy, Head of the Executive Director's Office:
"Clare Healy manages the Transit-Oriented Development Network at C40. In this role, Clare supports a network of global cities to deliver compact and well-connected, mixed-use communities through facilitating the sharing of good practices. Prior to C40, Clare was working as a Senior Urban Planner for consultancy Arup, where she was most recently based in Hong Kong delivering government-led master planning projects. Clare is a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and has a Master’s degree in Spatial Planning from University College London and a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from the University of Nottingham."
Mr. Seth Schultz, Director of Science & Innovation:
"Seth Schultz currently serves as the director of Science & Innovation at C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, on special assignment from his permanent post as C40’s director of Research, Measurement & Planning. In this capacity, Mr. Schultz will serve as a lead author on the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) Special Report on 1.5 Degrees (SR 1.5) in 2017. More broadly, he will work to raise international awareness on the role of cities in tackling climate change.
Mr. Schultz has been at C40 since 2011 and has been instrumental in leading the organization through a period of rapid growth and impact. Prior to joining C40, he worked closely with cities on climate and sustainable development issues at the Clinton Foundation and the U.S. Green Building Council. He has an additional 10 years of experience in the private sector managing contracts and clients at the city, state, regional and federal level. Mr. Schultz is a sought-after speaker on topics including urban innovation, big data and co-generation of knowledge. He holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Binghamton University."
Mr. Mark Watts, Executive Director, C40 Climate Leadership Group:
"
Mark Watts
Executive Director
Mark Watts serves as the Executive Director for C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group. Since joining C40 in 2014, Mark has led the growth of C40 from 63 member cities to 91, with the majority of cities now from the global south, along with significant growth in C40's staffing and operations. Mark has brought an additional focus to C40 on inclusive climate action, supporting cities in tackling climate change whilst addressing issues of poverty and social inequality. Mark is the driving force behind C40’s Deadline 2020 programme, which provides the first routemap for member cities to reduce emissions in line with the 1.5-degree maximum temperature rise target of the Paris Climate Agreement. Prior to joining C40, Mark was the Director of Energy and Climate Change at consultancy firm Arup, and from 2000 to 2008 a senior adviser to the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone. Mark is a Senior Associate of the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, and a member of the Council of the Global Green Growth Institute."
Mark Hodgson
Amazing delusions, Mark. We'll be a long time getting over the destructive effects of this stunning malady of society and of discourse. With any luck we'll be a little while before we are susceptible to this sort of campaign again.
Unless all the guilty frenzy pops like a bubble, as I used to think was imminent. Then the immunity might not last so long.
Thanks for your curiosity, and your effort.
==========================
kim
You amply illustrate why I've always been amused at accusations of 'conspiracy thinking' aimed at skeptics by alarmists. There was little need for conspiracy when such a tremendous intersection of interests gained purchase, and bought a narrative of fear and guilt.
Nonetheless, there were those who 'breathed together' to further this calamitous narrative. Fortunately, the internet will allow our descendants to inspect the process, perhaps to understand it well enough to counter it in the future.
=================================
kim
Airlines, hotels and caterers are going to be hit hard by the collapse in Climate Science funding.
TV ads will start soon, demanding £1,000s per week to preserve the lifestyles of unemployable useless idiots, with a track record of incompetence and gullibility.
It does bring into perspective the Charity/NGO ads on TV explaining what a difference £1 donated per week will make to a child/family/village
golf charlie
kim & gc, thanks for your support. I'm quite happy ploughing my lone furrow, as I'm genuinely interested in who attends COPs and why, but if others find it enlightening, then so much the better. The one thing that depresses me greatly is the number of people (maybe running into tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands when you add them all up) doing what I would consider to be non-jobs, indeed seem to spend their lives moving from non-job to non-job, all the while basking in the warm glow of "doing something" to protect the planet from climate change, even though many are doing nothing of any use, either in that regard or generally; but many seem to enjoy fine lifestyles and lots of travel on the back of it all. Who is paying for them all? And why?!!!
Anyway, moving on, Ca' Foscari University, Venice sent 3 delegates to COP 23. Their website is here:
http://www.unive.it/pag/13526/
"Founded on August 6, 1868 as the “Scuola Superiore di Commercio” (Advanced School for Commerce), Ca' Foscari was the first Italian institution to deal with advanced education in Business and Economics. The original main office is still found in the grand gothic palace “volta de canal” (on the bend of the Grand Canal), in the heart of Venice."
Difficult to see on that basis why it felt the need to send 3 delegates to Bonn, until you search their website for the key phrase "climate change", in which case all sorts of weird and wonderful stuff is to be found, e.g.:
"
insegnamento SUSTAINABILITY 4: CLIMATE CHANGE [ECC036] (6 cfu) - VENEZIA - FERRETTI PATRIZIA
insegnamento Quantitative Methods for Climate Change [PHD021] (5 cfu) - VENEZIA - GIOVE Silvio
insegnamento Climate Change and Environmental Contamination [PHD022] (5 cfu) - VENEZIA - MARCOMINI Antonio
insegnamento Climate Change and International Policies [PHD029] (5 cfu) - VENEZIA - DE CIAN Enrica
insegnamento ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONING AND CLIMATE CHANGE [CM0451] (6 cfu) - VENEZIA - PRANOVI Fabio
insegnamento ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS RELATED TO CLIMATE CHANGE [CM0439] (6 cfu) - VENEZIA - CRITTO Andrea
insegnamento STATISTICAL METHODS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE ANALYSIS [PHD076] (5 cfu) - VENEZIA - VARIN Cristiano
insegnamento Modeling Impacts of Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies I [PHD027] (2.5 su 5 cfu) - VENEZIA - BOSELLO Francesco
insegnamento Methods and Tools for the Analysis of Climate Change Impacts and Policies [PHD028] (5 cfu) - VENEZIA - DE CIAN Enrica
insegnamento Methods and Tools for the Analysis of Climate Change Impacts and Policies [PHD028] (5 cfu) - VENEZIA - MYSIAK JAROSLAV"
Delegates:
Ms. Marinella Davide, Senior Researcher:
"Marinella Davide is a predoctoral research fellow on topics related to EU climate and energy policy and international negotiations. She is a Ph.D. candidate in Climate Change Management at the Ca’Foscari University of Venice, where she investigates the linkages between climate change and poverty reduction with a concerted focus on energy poverty.
Since 2010, she has been a researcher at the Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei and the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change. Marinella has an Advanced Master's degree in Global Environmental Protection from Tuscia University and an M.A. in International Relations from the University of Bologna."
Ms. Emily Christine Schulte, Phd Student.
Ms. Maria Linnéa Sundberg, PhD Student.
The two latter haven't yet made enough of an impact on the internet for me to find them.
Mark Hodgson
Canadian Electricity Association sent 3 delegates to COP 23. This is their website:
https://electricity.ca/
"CEA is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of senior executives from its Corporate Utility Members. CEA offers members a broad range of innovative programs and services in addition to delivering a coherent and convincing industry viewpoint to decision makers on critical policy and regulatory issues.
CEA members generate, transmit, and distribute electrical energy to industrial, commercial, residential, and institutional customers across Canada. Members include integrated electric utilities, independent power producers, transmission and distribution companies, power marketers, manufacturers and suppliers of materials, technology, and services that keep the industry running smoothly."
Which all seems fair enough. You might think they'd have some issues with the pressures unreliables put on the Canadian grid. And indeed, if you search their website using the key word "climate" you'll find articles that aren't quite so one-sided as those on the websites of most organisations sending delegates to Bonn. E,g.:
"Today, the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) released its Climate Adaptation Guide to help electricity companies define, design, develop and successfully deploy practical and effective adaptation plans." Adaptation, not mitigation, note.
And:
"The Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) released a discussion paper on the benefits and costs of Canadian climate action. Entitled Canadian Climate Action: Clean Power and Consensus Building, the paper is intended to inform the national conversation and help build a balanced and long-term consensus on Canada’s climate and clean energy strategy." "Balanced" - that's a word you don't see very often in this context.
And:
"Discussion paper on the benefits and costs of Canadian climate action. Intended to inform the national conversation and help build a balanced and long-term consensus on Canada’s climate and clean energy strategy." There's that word "balanced" again!
Delegates:
Mr. Devin McCarthy, Vice-President, Public Affairs:
"Devin McCarthy is the Vice President of Public Affairs and U.S. Policy at the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA). Devin combines government relations, communications, research and outreach to influence public policy, build and maintain a strong electricity sector reputation and find common ground with stakeholders.
During his tenure at CEA Devin has led many of CEA’s principle policy areas, including electricity generation, transmission and distribution, climate change, environmental legislation, grid modernization and innovation. Currently, Devin is CEA’s U.S. policy lead.
Prior to CEA, Devin spent two years at the federal Privy Council Office, supporting a Deputy Minister-level committee. During that time he wrote an unaffiliated blog called “Canadian Clean Tech.” Devin holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Economics from Queen’s University"
Mr. Gregory Dale Friesen, Vice-President of Indigenous and Government Relations & Sustainability, ATCO:
"At a launch event held at the Tsuu T’ina Nation Junior and Senior High School, Dale Friesen, Vice President, Indigenous and Government Relations & Sustainability, remarked, “Our support of Ski Fit North reflects ATCO’s deep commitment to partnering with and investing in Alberta’s Indigenous communities. I am so very pleased that our support will help sustain this important program and provide a wonderful opportunity for children and youth in the communities we have the privilege to serve.”
ATCO provides electricity and natural gas service to many of Alberta’s Indigenous communities and has more than 40 formal partnerships with Indigenous communities across Canada. In addition Ski Fit North aligns with ATCO’s community investment priorities in encouraging and teaching healthy, active living, and encouraging students to strive for excellence every day."
Ms. Laura Arnold, Senior Government Affairs Advisor - East Canadian Electricity Association/TransAlta:
"Providing wholesale energy solutions to large industrial customers, TransAlta operates in three markets – Australia, Canada and the United States – offering a diverse set of fuels, meeting the needs of our customers. In the United States, TransAlta actively services the entire western interconnection (WECC) and Mid-C energy markets. Backed by our physical assets and global reputation, businesses we serve include investor-owned utilities (IOUs), public utility districts (PUDs), and large industrial customers. Depending on needs, we can partner to provide wholesale electricity that satisfies baseload, variable, intermediate and peak power requirements. Our solutions help reduce your risk and we can provide “green” energy solutions with Renewable Energy Options."
Mark Hodgson
Canadian Foodgrains Bank Association Inc. sent a single delegate to COP 23. Their website is here:
https://foodgrainsbank.ca/
"Our goal is a world without hunger.
We work toward this goal by: providing food in times of crisis for hungry people in the developing world; helping people grow more food to better feed themselves and their families; and providing nutritional support to malnourished people with a focus on pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and young children.
We also advocate for public policies that enable families and communities to better feed themselves, and look for ways to engage and educate Canadians about global hunger.
In 2016-17, we helped over 900,000 people in 35 countries. Foodgrains Bank programs are implemented by our member agencies in the developing world. Read our most recent annual report or our most recent audited financial statements."
You would think a little global warming, the greening of the Sahel, and the greatest amount of food ever produced might please them. Maybe they sent their delegate to COP 23 to argue against measures aimed at reducing the greening of the Sahel?
Delegate:
Ms. Stephanie McDonald, Senior Policy Advisor, Public Policy Department:
"Stephanie McDonald has been appointed to the position of Senior Policy Advisor at the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, focusing on the climate change file.
McDonald brings several years of policy and research experience to the position. Her experience includes time as an intern for the Presbyterian Church of Canada in Malawi a communications consultant with Twaweza in Tanzania, and several years in Nunavut as a research advisor, communications manager and reporter.
Most recently, McDonald has been living in Tanzania while working as the results and accountability manager with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland.
She holds a Master of Science in public health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and a Bachelor’s degree in international development and Canadian Studies from Trent University.
McDonald grew up on a family farm in southern Ontario.
She will be based out of Ottawa and begins her new position at the end of April [2015]."
Mark Hodgson
Canadian Nuclear Association sent 6 delegates to COP 23. Their website is here:
https://cna.ca/
"WHY NUCLEAR ENERGY?
Every source of electrical power has advantages. In the case of nuclear power, those advantages are clean and environmentally friendly operation, affordability, safety over its entire supply chain, and round-the-clock reliability.
Clean
Fossil fuels release pollutants and carbon dioxide, which contribute to climate change; producing electricity in nuclear reactors creates no emissions. When the whole life-cycle of power generation is taken into account, nuclear power is one of the cleanest forms of energy, behind only hydroelectric and wind power.
Affordable
Fuel and operational costs for nuclear power are very low, making it more affordable than gas, wind, and solar power. And because most of the cost of nuclear power is derived from the construction of facilities, pricing is both stable and predictable.
Safe
There is nothing more important than safety in the nuclear industry: it is more important than cost, reliability, or any other concern. Canada’s reactors are the most protected infrastructure in the country, and there has not been a single death from radiation exposure at a Canadian nuclear power plant in over 50 years.
Reliable
Unlike most other forms of electricity generation, nuclear power plants are designed to operate continuously, which is ideal for utilities that need a dependable baseload source of electricity at all times of the day and night. And because the uranium that powers nuclear reactors is plentiful in Canada, nuclear power is reliable over economic cycles as well."
My guess is that they were at COP 23 to lobby along the lines of nuclear power being the only way to reduce CO2 emissions, and to make sure it doesn't get banned by the greens. Japan and Germany seem to have caused them concern.
Delegates:
Mr. John Barrett:
"Dr. John Barrett is President and CEO of the Canadian Nuclear Association, a non-profit organization established in 1960 to represent the nuclear industry in Canada.
Dr. Barrett brings to the CNA a rich expertise in international relations, Canadian foreign policy, corporate business planning, and strategic communications. His career spans the federal public service, international organizations, policy think-tanks and universities, with a focus on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Dr. Barrett has guided numerous international negotiations, most recently as Canada’s Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency, where he was Chair of the IAEA’s Board of Governors. As Canada’s Ambassador to the United Nations in Vienna, he chaired the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. He also served as Canada’s Permanent Representative to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization in Vienna.
Dr. Barrett began his career in academia, earning a BA and MA from the University of Toronto and a doctorate from the London School of Economics. He was appointed Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the Institute of International Relations at UBC before moving to Ottawa to join the Canadian Centre for Arms Control & Disarmament.
From 1991-1999, Dr. Barrett served in the NATO International Staff as Director of Policy Planning and Chief Speechwriter for successive NATO Secretaries-General. Upon return to Canada, he continued high-level speechwriting and strategic communications for the Minister of National Defence (DND), the Governor General of Canada (Rideau Hall), and two Prime Ministers (Privy Council Office).
In 2005, Dr. Barrett re-joined Foreign Affairs from PCO, adding corporate planning and performance management to his portfolio. As Director General of Strategic Planning, he developed the department’s Integrated Corporate Business Plan and served as Chief Risk Officer. From 2009-2013 he was Canada’s Ambassador to Austria and to the Slovak Republic (2012-2013).
Dr. Barrett is currently on leave from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD)."
Mr. Benjamin Paul Heard:
"Burden of proof: A comprehensive review of the feasibility of 100% renewable-electricity systems
BP Heard, BW Brook, TML Wigley, CJA Bradshaw
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 76, 1122-1133 16 2017
Beyond wind: furthering development of clean energy in South Australia
B Heard, CJA Bradshaw, BW Brook
Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 139 (1), 57-82 3 2015
Clean. Reliable. Affordable. The role of nuclear technology in meeting the challenge of low greenhouse gas electricity supply in the 21st century.
BP Heard, CJA Bradshaw, BW Brook, TML Wigley, S Hong
University of Adelaide 2018
Environmental impacts of uranium mining in Australia: History, progress and current practice
BP Heard
http://www.minerals.org.au/file_upload/files/publications … 2017
Closing the Cycle: How South Australia and Asia Can Benefit from Re‐inventing Used Nuclear Fuel Management
BP Heard, BW Brook
Asia & the Pacific Policy Studies 4 (1), 166-175 2017
Zero Carbon Options - seeking an economic mix for an environmental outcome
BP Heard, J Brown
https://decarbonisesa.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/zco-2015.pdf 2015
Nuclear waste is safe to store in our suburbs, not just the bush
BP Heard, BW Brook
A year in the life of The Conversation 2014
Developing the Carbon Neutral Investment Model for Local Government
H Bailey, B Heard, J Morison
REFEREED PROCEEDINGS, 104"
Mr. Eric Glen Meyer:
"Eric Meyer is a man of many talents, opera being but one (B.A. in Vocal Music). Grassroots advocacy is another, hence his founding of Generation Atomic. His talk to the Northwest Public Power Association in Sunriver, Ore., this spring showed how direct outreach to people is helping build support for nuclear energy in the places it is needed most – currently Ohio. There, two nuclear energy plants are facing difficult times due to deregulated energy markets that don’t adequately value reliable and carbon-free electricity.
“We deregulated the energy markets thinking the only thing that mattered was price to consumers,” Meyer told me. “Then we realized that wasn’t the whole story. We care about clean energy. We care about reliable energy.”
Getting started
Meyer hadn’t thought much about nuclear energy growing up and admits he probably had a vague disrespect for it because of watching The Simpsons. But in 2009, a friend sent Meyer a video on molten salt reactors.
“(I)n that video they talked about other reactor designs and how with nuclear you can do things that you can’t do with other energy sources, like make carbon-neutral synthetic fuels, desalinate water and, just in general, have reliable electricity that doesn’t harm the environment.”
That opened his mind to the concept of nuclear energy being a good thing. So he changed his education focus to public policy and advocacy and a year ago jumped into nuclear advocacy with both feet."
Mr. Rauli llmari Partanen:
"Rauli Partanen (@Kaikenhuippu) is an independent writer and energy analyst who lives in Finland. In addition to his four energy-related books published in Finnish, his internationally published books include The World After Cheap Oil (2014) and Climate Gamble – Is Anti-Nuclear Activism Endangering our Future? (2015)."
Mr. Ananda Louis Apostolos, Plowden-Wardlaw General Counsel and Head EMEA Terrestrial Energy:
"Terrestrial Energy Inc Announces Appointment of Louis Plowden-Wardlaw as General Counsel
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 3, 2014) - Terrestrial Energy Inc is pleased to announce the appointment of Louis Plowden-Wardlaw as the Company's General Counsel and Vice President of UK Business Development. Mr. Plowden-Wardlaw is an experienced lawyer with more than 20 years' experience in private practice, as well as in-house counsel for public and private companies. Mr. Plowden-Wardlaw will render his legal expertise to the Company as it negotiates complex contracts and agreements within industry and with government.
Mr. Plowden-Wardlaw was called to the English Bar in 1990 and subsequently worked as a banking and asset finance solicitor with Watson, Farley and Williams. In 1995, he was appointed Legal Counsel at the Royal Bank of Canada in their London office, and subsequently became their Head of Legal. He has advised numerous companies including Credit Suisse, KBC Financial Products, and North Asset Management, an investment manager, where he was General Counsel and Head of Execution. He was for six years a Director of Argo Real Estate Opportunities Fund Limited, a public company operating and building retail parks in Central and Eastern Europe. He is a Director of General Counsel Limited, which is a software services company, and a founding Trustee of the Activation Trust. Mr. Plowden-Wardlaw has travelled extensively in the Middle East and Russia on behalf of clients. Mr. Plowden-Wardlaw graduated with a LLB (Law, First Class) from the University of Birmingham, and a MSc (Finance) from London Business School, and is a Liveryman of the City of London.
Terrestrial Energy Inc's President and CTO, Dr. David LeBlanc, commented on Mr. Plowden-Wardlaw's appointment: "Terrestrial Energy Inc feels fortunate to have a legal mind as keen and experienced as Louis' on our team. Louis' expertise will be instrumental as the Company transitions its Molten Salt Reactor development project from the start-up phase to the Conceptual Design stage. The Integral Molten Salt Reactor project has numerous legal complexities and the project requires sound legal counsel. Furthermore, Louis' considerable UK connections and entrepreneurial drive will doubtless gain many entrees for us in the UK. Louis will be an indispensable member of our executive committee, and we welcome him warmly."
About Terrestrial Energy Inc.
Terrestrial Energy Inc. ("TEI") has the objective of commercializing its proprietary Molten Salt Reactor technology in Canada by 2021. Molten Salt Reactor technology represents a revolution in nuclear safety, waste and proliferation resistance, but without cost inflation. TEI's Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR) is a small modular design, with models ranging from 29 MWe to 290 MWe - ideally suited for remote communities or industrial operations. Canada provides a favorable jurisdiction for the company's Molten Salt Reactor development, licensing and marketing. TEI's founding board consists of executives from the oil-sands, mining and finance sectors."
Ms. Katherine Elizabeth Ward, Senior Director, Communications, SNC-Lavalin Inc:
"Katherine Ward was Chair of WiN GHW from 2013-17.
As senior director, power communications for SNC-Lavalin, Katherine leads a team responsible for strategic communications counsel as well as developing strategies and carrying out plans for a broad range of communications, including media relations, public relations, marketing communications, community relations, employee communications, social corporate responsibility, advertising, branding and event management.
Since becoming acquainted with WiN when she joined the nuclear industry in 2006, Katherine has attended several WiN Canada conferences and has been impressed by the breadth of information available and the willingness of all WiN members to share their experience to the benefits of others."
Mark Hodgson
Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation sent 2 delegates to COP 23. Their website is here:
https://www.clintonfoundation.org/
"About Us
Building on a lifetime of public service, President Clinton established the Clinton Foundation on the simple belief that everyone deserves a chance to succeed, everyone has a responsibility to act, and we all do better when we work together. For nearly two decades, that premise has energized the work of the Foundation in overcoming complex challenges and improving the lives of people across the United States and around the world.
As an operating foundation, we work on issues directly or with strategic partners from the business, government, and nonprofit sectors to create economic opportunity, improve public health, and inspire civic engagement and service. Our programs are designed to make a real difference today while serving as proven models for tomorrow. The goal of every effort is to use available resources to get better results faster – at the lowest possible cost.
We firmly believe that when diverse groups of people bring resources together in the spirit of true cooperation, transformative ideas will emerge to drive life-changing action.
How We Work
To fulfill this mission, the Clinton Foundation works with strategic partners to develop and implement programs that create economic opportunity, improve public health, and inspire civic engagement and service.
Within these three programmatic areas, our work ranges from helping farmers in East Africa increase their yields and incomes to mobilizing relief efforts in the wake of natural and manmade disasters; from confronting public health crises such as HIV/AIDS, the opioid epidemic, heart disease, diabetes, and childhood obesity to combating the effects of climate change in the Caribbean through clean and renewable energy efforts.
In addition, the Foundation is committed to cultivating a diverse, new generation of leaders. This includes programs that help students create change on their college campuses; support networks that foster women’s leadership in the renewable energy and artisan sectors; and a historic partnership between the presidential libraries of President Clinton, President George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson to cultivate promising leaders from the business, academic, public service, nonprofit, and military sectors as they seek to create positive change on the issues confronting their communities.
The Foundation also operates the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, which provides year-round cultural and educational opportunities and is home to the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum, one of the largest archival collections in American presidential history."
The website contains a significant section on climate change:
"In communities across the globe, our programs are proving that we can confront the debilitating effects of climate change in a way that makes sense for governments, businesses, and economies. The Clinton Foundation is committed to addressing climate change and energy transition using a systems approach. From making strides in energy efficiency through innovative business practices to a tree-planting program that generates income for farmers in Malawi, our work has reduced global greenhouse gas emissions by tens of thousands of tons per year while also creating local jobs and boosting economies."
"Fight Climate Change and Poverty with Offset Purchases from Trees of Hope"
"Building on President Clinton’s longstanding commitment to the environment, the Clinton Climate Initiative develops scalable projects that can be tailored to local conditions while also serving as innovative models for tackling global climate change. This approach helps provide real-world demonstrations of how we can cut emissions while compressing the timeframe for delivering real progress ."
"The Clinton Foundation has been investing in green energy in Haiti to boost Haiti’s recovery, recognizing that providing efficient renewable energy sources to reduce energy costs and dependency on fossil fuels are key to improving Haiti’s energy structure. The Foundation has worked with a variety of green technology organizations in Haiti to address Haiti’s high-energy costs, low electrification rates, and high dependency on fossil fuels. Clinton Foundation partners are also working on low-cost clean energy alternatives, creating recycling systems to help manage Haiti’s waste, and developing new methods for cooking through effective cook stoves and recycled briquettes to replace charcoal."
"Providing ecosystem, climate, and livelihood benefits to smallholder farmers in Malawi.
The Clinton Development Initiative (CDI) established the Trees of Hope project in 2007 in the Dowa and Neno districts of Malawi to reverse deforestation, mitigate the harmful effects of climate change, and bolster a self-sustaining marketplace by making tree farming profitable and attractive for smallholder farmers. The Trees of Hope project helps decrease the community's vulnerability to climate change by implementing tree-based land use systems, while also providing farmers with increased income from the sale of Plan Vivo certified carbon credits. Plan Vivo supports communities in managing their natural resources by quantifying ecosystem services. Through the Trees of Hope project, rural farmers in Malawi decide how they can best address threats to their local ecosystems by choosing one of five land-use systems. These systems represent responsible land management strategies that benefit the environment by reducing soil erosion and increasing soil fertility."
"The Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) and the Rocky Mountain Institute-Carbon War Room (RMI-CWR) are developing and advancing renewable energy and energy efficiency projects across small island nations. CCI has completed a solar project in the Seychelles and a wind farm in Jamaica."
"MORE ABOUT OUR WORK ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Our planet's future depends on the way we produce and consume energy today. Most climate scientists agree that we must dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions or face devastating consequences; already, rising temperatures and changing weather patterns are disrupting natural and economic systems and exacerbating intense poverty and health pandemics. Yet we are only just beginning to recognize that the answer to how we protect the environment is inextricably tied to how we power our economies.
By targeting the root causes of climate change, we can develop solutions to help change the course of our planet’s future. Communities that depend on forests can be engaged in conserving them. Small islands can be empowered to transition from imported diesel fuel to readily available renewable sources of power. Businesses in America and abroad can improve the energy use of buildings and promote energy efficiency within their work force. And collectively, we can demonstrate that measures to protect our environment can also benefit our economies by saving money for governments and businesses and creating local jobs."
Delegates:
Mr. Jesse Gerstin, Director of Programs and Policy, Clinton Climate Initiative:
"Jesse Gerstin OC'07 to speak on Carbon Markets and their Potential Role in Reducing Global Climate Change: Avoiding Deforestation in Indonesia
Friday, September 19, 2014 at 12:00pm to 1:30pm
Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies, Room 102 122 Elm Street, Oberlin, OH 44074
Join us as we explore and discuss some of the challenges related to deforestation in Indonesia, and the role of carbon markets in the context of global climate change.
Tropical deforestation and forest degradation may account for an estimated 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions annually. In Indonesia, a largely forested country, increasing pressures from agricultural expansion, especially of oil palm plantations, logging and mining all contribute to high deforestation rates. Loss of forests has also lead to sharp decreases in fauna and flora, and rural community livelihoods.
Carbon markets, through schemes such as REDD+ (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation), may help reduce deforestation by accounting for forest's natural capital. These schemes are being piloted on a large-scale in Indonesia. However, carbon markets have not yet lived up to expectations.
Jesse Gerstin '07 and former Oberlin Shansi Fellow to Indonesia, is the Global Coordinator for the Clinton Foundation's Forestry Program. He has managed projects in Indonesia for the past four years, including Indonesia's first REDD+ project, and currently works on community landscape restoration and national emissions mapping programs in Kenya and Ethiopia.
Co-sponsored by the Environmental Studies Program, The Oberlin Project, Oberlin Shansi, East Asian Studies and the O.C. Alumni Association
Pizza Lunch Provided"
Mr. Justin Locke, Director, Islands Program, Rocky Mountain Institute:
"Justin is responsible for strategic oversight and leadership for the Islands Energy Program, which guides island governments and utilities to define and achieve their energy visions. The program aims to accelerate the transition of island economies from a heavy dependence on fossil fuels to a diverse platform of renewables and energy efficiency while establishing a blueprint for other isolated economies.
BACKGROUND
Justin previously held the position of disaster risk management specialist at the World Bank where he managed one of the largest per capita investment portfolios in World Bank history. He was instrumental in accessing climate financing for Eastern Caribbean countries where he led national planning processes designed to develop and deploy tailored, broad-based national adaptation and mitigation strategies for achieving cross sectoral climate resilience.
Previous to his tenure at the World Bank, Justin worked for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in the Pacific Region—holding the role of development specialist at the UNDP Regional Pacific Center based in Fiji which provides technical assistance to over 14 Pacific island countries and served as community/recovery program manager for the UNDP multi-country office in Samoa where he designed and implemented the UNDP’s regional flagship program in the Polynesian sub-region.
Justin has several publications on topics ranging from climate-induced migration to economy-wide energy transition roadmap planning. From 2002 to 2004, he was a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Republic of Kiribati.
EDUCATION & AWARDS
MPA, Public Administration in International Management, Monterey Institute of International Studies
BA, University of California, Davis"