Paris: Leaders of almost all nations are COP21 meeting in Paris this week until December 11, to hammer out ways to reign in the growing ill effects of climate change.
COP21 stands for ‘21st Conference of the Parties’, the 21st meeting of the heads of states representing an executive committee of the UN Climate Change Convention that came out of the Rio Earth Summit in 1992.
As the debate over extreme weather phenomena hots up at the big conference, we give you live updates as Gulf News reporter Nada Al Taher chronicles the proceedings and the sights and sounds around the COP21 event.
December 07: Day 08
2.30pm
Future of renewable energy brighter: Solar Impulse co-founder
Due to the plummeting prices of renewable energy, it is now easier than ever before to convince policy makers and corporations that investing in this alternative power source is in their best interest, Betrand Piccard co-founder of the historic Solar Impulse, said.
“I believe that you have a minority of people who are altruistic, are compassionate about the world and want quality of life to become better. But the majority of people are much more driven by fame and money. So if you want to really improve the state of the world you have to give these people the opportunity to get fame and money and today it’s possible with renewable energy and clean technology,” he said while talking to Gulf News.
“This is because doing so is profitable, builds a good reputation and makes companies who go into that [direction] much more recognised. Before, this could not have worked because renewable energy and clean technology was much more expensive and used mainly by people who were much more altruistic. Today if you want to make a good business you go into renewable energy and energy saving technology,” he added.
The Solar Impulse is a solar-powered plane that took off from Abu Dhabi in March with the aim of travelling the world. It will restart its journey in March next year to complete the round trip back to the UAE. Piccard was one of the pilots.
12.50pm
Al Jaber holds meeting with Ban Ki-moon
Dr Sultan Ahmad Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and special envoy for energy and climate change, held a private meeting with Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General this morning.
At 5:30pm UAE time, Dr Ahmad Belhoul, CEO of Masdar will make a speech followed by Dr Sultan Al Jaber.
The UAE’s official statement at COP21 will also be made at around 7pm UAE time today.
December 06: Day Seven
1.10pm
Rapper Akon on stage
US rapper Akon shares his experiences of not having electricity while growing up. He says things are still the same in his home town and that is what moved him to start a project to bring electricity to people who have been living in the dark.
"When you get to a position where you constantly have your hand out and people are always giving you aid, it starts to feel like this is how it goes on. But when you empower them, it raises their confidence and they actually create something they didn’t know they had inside them," he said.
12.40pm
Talk on Re-energising the Future at Palais Brongniart, Paris
12.34pm
Today’s proceedings are being held at a different venue.
A view of the building (Nada Al Taher/Gulf News)
December 05
7.30pm
Investing in less expensive renewable energy a 'no brainer'
Investing in renewable energy as it becomes available at competitive prices is a "no brainer", a top official at the International Conference on Climate Change (COP21) said on Saturday.
Speaking during a panel discussion held by the UAE-based International Renewable Energy Association (Irena) on the topic of Renewable Energy in the Mena Region, Paddy Padmanathan, CEO of Acwa Power, said: “Right now, prices of alternative sources of energy are decreasing – especially solar photovoltaic panels which have become cheaper by around 80 per cent over the past six to seven years." Acwa Power operates desalination plants.
Additionally, subsidising fossil fuels while investing in renewable energy is inconsistent, another panelist said.
“Doing that is like eating a meal with diet coke then having baklava afterwards. It’s inconsistent,” said Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA).
A report released on November 23 by Irena revealed that reaching a 36 per cent global market share of renewable energy by 2030 would result in 50 per cent of all emission reductions required to keep global warming from rising by two degrees-Centigrade.
Currently, COP21 negotiations are underway with the main issue being differentiation on whether and how to treat developed and developing countries.
“For instance on finance the question of which countries are expected or merely invited to provide money is highly sensitive. On mitigation and transparency, where all countries are already taking some action, there may be more scope for compromise,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed in a statement on Saturday.
“Other areas of disagreement include how ambition should be increased over time, for instance in committing countries to making each Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) stronger than the last. What kinds of reporting and data requirements are imposed. Who should be eligible for support,” the ministry said.
1.55pm
Global Clean Water Desalination Alliance launched at COP21
The Global Clean Water Desalination Alliance has been officially launched at the 21st annual Conference of Parties (COP21). Aiming to integrate use of renewable energy in the desalination of water, the association is initiated by Masdar and the group’s first meeting will be hosted at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) next year.
“This is the only alliance that is targeting what we call the water-energy nexus. We need energy to create water because we use desalination which is very energy-intensive. In fact, it requires 10 times more power to desalinate sea water than to produce normal water from rivers and other sources,” Dr. Ahmad Belhoul, CEO of Masdar told Gulf News at the inauguration.
“Water and energy are very interlinked and this association is the first to address that connection. Back home in Abu Dhabi, we launched the pilot during innovation week where in collaboration with four companies we will hopefully create a technology that reduces energy consumption of water desalination by 40 per cent,” he added.
12.10pm
Paris: With Saturday being a weekend in Paris, the streets looked empty as delegates headed towards the 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP21) while negotiations continued into the sixth day.
"I think the days in Paris being mostly cloudy and cold is making delegates and negotiators at COP21 less cheerful but more focused than they were in Peru last year when it was much sunnier," a source who declined to be named told Gulf News.
In a few minutes, the Global Clean Water Desalination Alliance will be kicked off with the UAE as a founding member.
11.50am
Can you spot your country’s flag?
Nada Al Taher explores all the flags at #COP21. Can you spot your country's flag?
Posted by Gulf News on Saturday, December 5, 2015
Gulf News reporter explores the venue
Our reporter Nada Al Taher exploring the #COP21 site. Follow her live blog on gulfnews.com #climatechange #globalwarming #nature #environment
Posted by Gulf News on Saturday, December 5, 2015
10.10am (UAE): Climate in Paris
The cold weather in the French capital is imparting a serious air to the COP 21 talks, in stark contrast to the Lima conference last year, said a member of UAE delegation. | Nada Al Taher/ Gulf News
December 4, 2015
1.48pm
Paris: Sources close to the UAE delegation at the 21st annual Conference of Parties (COP21) have confirmed that negotiations taking place in the Paris are a positive indicator of the event's ambitious outcomes.
At 11 degrees Centigrade, the city's own climate seems to be celebrating the milestone agreement expected to be made by leaders and negotiators from 195 participating countries by the end of the 12-day conference on December 11.
However, Brazil-based activists chanting outside the event's halls called for decision-makers to aim for reducing global temperatures by 1.5 degrees Centigrade instead of two as this takes into consideration the lack of resources that developing countries face.
“Poorer countries cannot afford to make implementations for reducing global temperatures by two degrees-Centigrade, so we are calling for decision-makers to adjust the framework of the final agreement by taking that into consideration,” Deborah, a protestor told Gulf News.
Another Paris correspondent revealed that a number of demonstrators were placed under house arrest for fear of causing havoc.
“This came as part of the new security measures which have been taken following the November 13 attacks that killed 130 individuals and wounded many others. Authorities are taking matters into their own hands and are quickly putting out the proverbial smoke before they even see a fire,” said the source who declined to be named.
For the first time in COP history since its launch in 1995, the decisions reached this year will be legally binding among all those involved. Some of the major issues being discussed include financing methods and burden of responsibility.
Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank Groups suggested that removing government subsidies from fossil fuels is one of the ways that oil producing countries, can combat climate change – a step that the UAE took when it deregulated oil prices in August of this year.
1pm (4pm, Dubai)
Cafe where 5 died in Nov. 13 Paris attacks reopens: A cafe where five people were killed by a squad of Islamic extremist gunmen terrorizing central Paris reopened for business Friday.
La Bonne Biere, a corner cafe in the trendy central Paris district targeted by the gunmen, opened early in the morning. Since the attacks, the shuttered cafe has been piled high with flowers, like the other sites of the Nov. 13 attacks that left 130 people dead.
Paule Zlotnik, a neighboring shopkeeper, praised the decision: "It's time they open and that we continue life as it was before."
In surveillance video seen by The Associated Press, two gunmen in black calmly approached La Bonne Biere that night, firing deliberately on the outdoor tables before turning back toward a car that can be seen rolling slowly behind them.
Also Friday, European Union interior ministers met in Brussels seeking to clinch a deal on sharing airline passenger information, which France says is a vital security tool for tracking extremists. (AP)
11:25am (1.25pm, Dubai)
Climate activists stage 'die-in,' role-playing: Activists have staged a 'die-in' at the Paris climate talks, collapsing onto the pavement to represent vulnerable populations threatened by rising seas and extreme weather prompted by man-made global warming.
"Climate Justice Now!" chanted two dozen activists, some on the ground and some standing holding photos of poor countries that are feeling the effects of global warming.
The activists want an eventual global climate accord to include promises of aid for the losses and damages caused by global warming.
The stunt was one of several by activists at the Paris climate talks Friday.
#COP21: Renewable energy sources may be the key. What do you think? pic.twitter.com/bw7eyInyHh— Gulf News (@gulf_news) December 4, 2015
People drink coffee on the terrace of the bar "A la Bonne Biere" during its reopening in Paris on December 4, 2015, behind a barrier with flowers, notes and candles in memory of the victims of the coordinated attacks in and around Paris on November 13. The Paris bar where five people were killed by jihadist gunmen in the November 13 attacks is the first of the attacked bars to re-open, in an emotional step in the city's struggle to regain normality. (AFP)
December 3
11pm (2am, December 4, Dubai)
City of Love transformed by hateful events: In the aftermath of the tragic organised terrorist attacks that shook Paris on November 13 of this year, residents and tourists in the iconic city are now facing stringent security checks at even the most public places.
#COP21 Deborah works for a youth-led org in #Brazil & talks about why she's protesting. More:https://t.co/js8VOvcGh5 pic.twitter.com/BkKSpI1bkH— Gulf News (@gulf_news) December 4, 2015
On the famous Champs-Élysées, armed military personnel carrying rifles and alert security officials can be seen checking women’s purses and bags at the entrances of various brand stores and restaurants.
Some have even reported avoiding the convenience of taking the metro to their usual destinations and opting to walk in near freezing weather.
“Although it’s not a common occurrence, there have been a number of times when the metro did not stop at certain stations due to a bomb scare," said Mais Hadidi, a Jordanian who is spending a number of months for work in the city.
"Therefore, some people are not taking the metro anymore and Paris is much quieter than it used to be before the attacks. Some areas that were once lively such as Châtelet now seem relatively haunted," she added.
Even tourists said that they are trying to blend in as much as possible for fear of being singled out by French nationals.
“On the metro, announcements instructing passengers to report suspicious activity and to keep all belongings close can be heard,” Mais added.
Despite this, the city is still witnessing a number of ‘winter markets’ and Christmas decorations that celebrate the cold and festive seasons.
The attacks which took place across six major locations including a concert hall and a stadium killed at 130 people injuring tens others. Consequently, France and Belgium announced dispensing EUR1b (Dh4b) worth of security. (By Nada Al Taher, Staff Reporter)
What is COP21?
It stands for ‘21st Conference of the Parties’, that is the 21st meeting of the heads of states representing an executive committee of the United Nations Climate Change Convention that came out of the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. The Rio conference proclaimed climate change as a serious and urgent global problem. Moreover, the developed countries had accepted their ‘historical responsibility’ for the current state of affairs, having been producing greenhouse gases since the Industrial Revolution. Many have since reneged this "historical responsibility", and this has become a major point of contention.
