Two Day High Level Ministerial Meeting In London
The views were welcomed against the background of several climate-related disasters in 2021, the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic, as well as the struggling economies of developing countries like Jamaica.
US Presidential Envoy For Climate, John Kerry Gives Commitment
Participants were particularly heartened by the views of U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, who gave the assurance that his country is committed to re-prioritizing climate change, including loss and damage.
The High-Level Ministerial meeting reaffirmed the value of the Santiago Network for prompting technical assistance on loss and damage from various organizations, bodies, networks and experts. Jamaica and other developing countries stand to benefit significantly once the Network is fully operational.
Delegation Led By The Honourable Pearnel Charles
The Jamaican delegation, led by Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., Minister of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change, was also optimistic of support for the Santiago Network to be fit-for-purpose in meeting the needs of countries and in recognizing the unique circumstances of the developing countries who will benefit.
Areas Covered
A variety of areas will be covered under the Santiago Network to include: -
- Slow Onset Events (SOEs) such as higher temperatures and sea level rise
- Non-Economic Losses (NELs), including loss of life, biodiversity and culture
- Displacement caused by climate change and
- Comprehensive risk management (including insurance), among others.
While there was consensus on several items at the Ministerial however, there remained divergent views on the way forward for discussions on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Article 6 examines how countries can reduce their emissions using international carbon markets, and is one of the most complex concepts of the Paris Agreement, which could either help the world avoid dangerous levels of global warming or exempt countries from making meaningful emissions cuts.
Jamaica Says Share Of Proceeds Is Inadequate
Jamaica has expressed the view that the existing Share of Proceeds of two percent (2%), is woefully inadequate to support the adaptation needs of developing countries. Jamaica also lent its support to another party, who emphasized that maintaining environmental integrity in the carbon market mechanism should be a priority.
Jamaica And Others Highlight Need For Finance
Jamaica and other countries also used the opportunity to highlight the need for climate finance to be increased but also reiterated that countries should be able to access resources in a way that suits their needs.
Countries also echoed the need to elevate adaptation in line with mitigation, while paying more attention to finance for loss and damage. Concerns were also raised that the 2009 pledge of $100 billion per year by 2020 (now 2025) had not been reached, and that restoring trust requires developed countries to honour this commitment. The view was also expressed that future commitments beyond 2025, should be significantly increased to meet growing needs, including adaptation and loss and damage.
The Jamaican Team
Minister Charles, and the other members of the Jamaican delegation, Principal Director in the Climate Change Division, UnaMay Gordon and Senior Technical Officer for Adaptation in the Division Le- Anne Roper, lauded the face-to-face meeting, noting that it was valuable in building relationships and setting the tone for future partnerships leading up to the COP 26 negotiations in Glasgow, Scotland later this year.
The two-day Ministerial meeting was attended in-person by Minister Charles, who was able to engage with ministers from other countries. The meetings will facilitate continued discussions and solidarity to advance key issues including adaptation and achieving higher mitigation ambition to keep the 1.5°C target within reach.
Jamaica Thanks UK Government For Their Support
“Jamaica extends gratitude to the Government and people of the UK for all the support rendered and looks forward to future partnership as we head towards COP 26 which is now 96 days away. Special thanks must be extended to the team led by the British High Commissioner in Jamaica, who facilitated the seamless logistical arrangements which enabled the Jamaican delegation to effectively participate in the July Ministerial meeting”, the Minister said. (attributing this paragraph to the Minister. Is it acceptable?)
The other Caribbean countries represented were Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados, Belize and Grenada. Ministers from countries invited but not represented in-person participated virtually.
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| Jamaica facilitated a session on adaptation. In the image, the Jamaican delegation (from left to right): Ms UnaMay Gordon, Principal Director, Hon. Pearnel Charles, Jr, Minister; Ms Le-Anne Roper, Senior Technical Officer. They are supported from a member of the UK delegation, Mr Malcolm Riddout, UK team member (Adaptation and Loss and Damage Negotiations) |
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| Hon. Pearnel Charles, Jr, Minister of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change along with Ms UnaMay Gordon, Principal Ddirector, Climate Change Division, having a brief conversation before the official start of the session with Mr John Kerry, United States of America Special Presidential Envoy for Climate |
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| Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (top left) attended a briefing session for facilitating the adaptation discussions. He is seated beside Ms UnaMay Gordon, Principal Director; to her left are Ministers Lee White (Gabon) and Teresa Ribera (Spain) |
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| Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (left), has a brief conversation with the Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr, Minister for Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change |
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| Hon. Peanel Charles, Jr. having a brief conversation with Ms Patricia Espicosa, Executive Secretary, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change |
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| Minister Keriako Tobiko, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Kenya (left), is speaking with Hon. Pearnel Charles, Jr, Minister of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change (right) and Ms UnaMay Gordon, Principal Director, Climate Change Division, during a break at the UK ministerial meeting. |
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