COP 11 –INDIA, Philippines community living CEPA, REDD + geo-engineering workshops

The Philippines islands have one of the most fragile and diverse biodiversity. There are more than 51, 0000 species, specific and endemic species to Philippines.

The traditional communities relied on their biodiversity for their livelihood, culture and spirituality too.

Post colonial era has made really difficult for the traditional communities  to conserve their areas. Integrated protection areas laws were also discussed ten years ago at the Rio Convention (1992).

There is a shortage of over 4 million Philippines peso for per Key biodiversity protection area. This only could give an idea of the shortage similar developing nations face for biodiversity conservation in Protected Areas (PA).

Workshop REDD + and Geo-engineering

During the second workshop of the day. held on the REDD + , concerns were raised about including biodiversity components in all climate change mitigation efforts. Many parties expressed the opinion that REDD + is only one of the mitigation tools and must be looked at from this context.   

The discussion evolved around Geo-engineering and Climate change .

The primary discussion focused around the 
usage of Geo-Engineering  in order to fight the climate change effects. However, many developing countries, such as India, Cote de Ivor, Democratic Rep. of Congo, Grenada are concerned that there has not been sufficient research done in the field. Smaller nations are concerned about the effects of Geo-engineering on their wind patterns.

South Africa suggests that one must exercise caution when using novel technologies. NGOs were concerned about the affects of the same on Agriculture and thus on small food producers. UNFCCC is presently carrying out research on the same which will be available only by Sept2014, and thus Africa suggests waiting till then for review.

Saylee Salvi