The 18th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC

Unless the global community takes immediate action to address climate change, people, ecosystems and all life on Earth face irreversible harm. Because climate change is a global challenge, climate solutions will not be possible without robust and effective global action.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) convenes national governments to decide on the policies and actions that must be taken in order to address climate change, facilitating a coordinated, international approach.

At last year's UNFCCC meeting in Durban, South Africa, world leaders established the "Durban Platform for Enhanced Action" (ADP) to address climate change in the long-term. The ADP created a path to finalize a new legal and universal climate agreement by 2015, which will come into effect in 2020. The ADP will also work to increase the level of ambition of climate commitments.

This agreement, as well as the agreement on extending the Kyoto Protocol, was an extraordinary step forward for international cooperation in addressing climate change. While additional work is needed to ensure that we will not experience dangerous levels of climate change, the Durban outcomes improved our chances of being able to work together successfully to address one of the greatest challenges of our time.

At the UNFCCC's 18th Conference of the Parties (COP18) in Doha, Qatar, governments from every country on Earth have an important opportunity to define the way forward for the Durban Platform. Simultaneously, nations will need to address the critical issue of how to conclude discussions on climate change issues currently discussed in the UNFCCC Ad Hoc Working Groups on the Kyoto Protocol and on Long-Term Cooperative Action. COP 18 will also provide an important opportunity to work towards achieving the full potential of other measures discussed in Durban, such as the Green Climate Fund, REDD+ and adaptation.

CI at COP 18

Building on a solid foundation of climate science, field work and policy engagement, CI is working with governments to define an ambitious global climate agreement, emphasizing the role that natural ecosystems can play in dramatically cutting emissions and preserving the adaptive potential of our biosphere. Our climate work helps to ensure that participating world leaders and a diverse group of stakeholders have the best possible information and tools to inform their decisions.

In Doha, national delegations were joined by indigenous groups, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), the private sector and other decision-makers. CI staff members working in nearly 10 countries participated in the meeting as both national representatives and observers to inform and advise governments and key stakeholders on important issues based on our field experience and scientific and policy expertise.

CI's delegation »

Goals

We hope to support the political process and development of policies in Doha in order to achieve these main goals:

• A clear way forward for the Ad hoc working group for the Durban Platform (ADP) so that a new legal and universal climate agreement can be reached by 2015
• Action on the recommendations of the Work Programme on Long-term Finance so that $100 billion/year can transition from a promise to a reality
• Guidance in support of real implementation on the ground in areas such as REDD+ and adaptation, including decisions on National Adaptation Plans and REDD+ finance and methodological guidance.

Highlighted CI Publications See all CI COP18 Publications »

• Policy recommendations for COP18, Doha, Qatar (PDF - 166 KB)
• Adaptation Policy Brief (PDF - 424 KB)
• Agriculture and the UNFCCC (PDF - 161 KB)

Highlighted CI Experts See all CI COP18 Experts »

 

Dr. Fred Boltz contact me
Senior Vice-President for International Policy CCG
Economist
Talk to me about:Climate Change, Fresh Water, Food Security , Green Economies, Sustainable Development, Spatial Planning-Land Use, Carbon Markets, Biodiversity Science, Biodiversity Policy, Ecosystem Services
Location:U.S. - D.C./Virginia
Languages:English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Malagasy
Read More...

 

Becky Chacko contact me
Senior Director Climate Policy CCG
Talk to me about:Climate Change, REDD+, International Policy, Climate Finance, Climate Policy
Location:U.S. - D.C./Virginia
Languages:English, Spanish, French
Read More...

 

Johnson Cerda contact me
Indigenous Advisor - Indigenous and Traditional Peoples Program, CCG
Talk to me about:Climate Change, Indigenous Peoples, Community Engagement
Location:U.S. - D.C./Virginia
Languages:Kichwa, English, Spanish
Read More...

Policy recommendations for COP18, Doha, Qatar (PDF - 166 KB)

REDD+ Monitoring
REDD+ Monitoring and MRV Text Analysis (PDF - 150 KB)
Views on Robust, Transparent Forest Monitoring Systems for REDD+ (PDF - 677 KB)
REDD+ MRV Case Studies (PDF - 150 KB)

REDD+ Finance
REDD+ Results-based Finance (PDF - 68 KB)
Financing results-based actions for REDD+ (PDF - 150 KB)

REDD+ Reference Levels
Technical Assessment Process for Reference Levels (PDF - 66.4 KB) 
Technical Guidance and an Assessment Process for REDD+ Reference Levels (PDF - 311 KB)

REDD+ Safeguard Information Systems
Safeguard Information Systems (SIS): An Opportunity for REDD+ Countries and Donors Alike (PDF - 209 KB) (日本語)

Drivers of Deforestation
Addressing the Drivers of Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (PDF - 155 KB)
CAN-International Submission: Addressing the Drivers of Deforestation (PDF - 604 KB)


Adaptation
Adaptation Policy Brief (PDF - 424 KB)
Nairobi Work Program Submissions

Agriculture
Agriculture and the UNFCCC (PDF - 161 KB)
CAN Submission: Agriculture in the UNFCCC (PDF - 476 KB)

Policy Background: Sources of International Climate Finance (PDF - 904 KB)

Scientific Publications
Structuring economic incentives to reduce emissions from deforestation within Indonesia

CCBA Publications
REDD+ Social & Environmental Standards (PDF - 370 KB) (en Español | en Français | em Português)
REDD+ SES: Supporting Countries to Develop Information Systems Factsheet
CCB Standards (PDF - 370 KB) (en Español | en Français | em Português | 中文 | 日本語 | tiếng Việt)
Experience Using REDD+ SES Factsheet

CI Factsheets and Case Studies
Overview of CI's Food Security Initiative Factsheet (PDF - 193 KB)
CI's Ecosystem-based Adaptation Work Factsheet (PDF - 2.6 MB)
Conservation International and Smallholders Factsheet (PDF - 1.13 MB)
Avoided Deforestation in the Guinanas Factsheet (PDF - 2.1 MB)
Ecosystem Finance and Climate Security Factsheet (PDF)
Sustainable Landscapes Partnership Factsheet (PDF)
Carbon Fund Factsheet (PDF)

Other Publications
CI Climate Strategy (PDF - 572 KB)
Climate Change & the Role of Forests: A Community Manual (PDF - 21.8 MB)

Thursday, November 29

Mobilizing Private-Sector Finance for REDD+: Innovative Partnerships for Scaling up Investment
New financing partnerships will be vital for tackling climate change. This event presents examples of how the private sector is working with governments and civil society, using best-practices, including jurisdictional VCS, to invest in and scale up REDD+ for regional, national and global impact.
Conservation International (CI), Verified Carbon Standard Association (VCSA)
Time: 15:00 – 16:30
Location: QNCC, Side Event Room 6

Facts, Figures and Findings: A Dialogue on the Indonesia Moratorium
The World Resources Institute will lead a discussion on the implementation and effectiveness of Indonesia's two-year moratorium on new licenses for conversion of primary natural forest and peatland. The discussion will be informed by analyses completed by WRI and partners of the likely long-term impacts of the moratorium and progress towards key governance reforms.
World Resources Institute (WRI)
CI Presenter: Jonah Busch
Time: 9:00
Location: The Millennium Hotel

Saturday, December 1

Indonesia Climate Change Day 2012
Indonesia Climate Change Day will showcase domestic policies, programs and concrete actions that have been carried out by Indonesian stakeholders, as well as the partnership among Indonesian stakeholders and international communities in responding to the threat of climate change.
Indonesia's National Council on Climate Change (DNPI)
Location: La Cigalle Hotel, Doha
Community Actions Panel
CI Panelist: Jonah Busch
Time: 13:00—15:00

Enhancing Multiple Benefits of REDD+ through Safeguards Information Systems and Community Approaches
Experts from Latin America, Africa, and Asia will discuss international, national and local efforts to support social and environmental provisions in REDD+ programs.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC), The Climate, Community and Biodiversity Alliance (CCBA)
CI Presenter: Joanna Durbin
Time: 15:00 – 17:00
Location: Swiss-Belhotel Doha

MRV and Amazonian Indigenous REDD+
A discussion on how to guarantee indigenous and environmental rights in relation to REDD+.
Coordinating Body of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin (COICA)
CI Presenter: Johnson Cerda
Time: 17:05—17:50
Location: Doha Exhibition Center, Auditorium

Sunday, December 2

Forest Day 6
Forest Day is a platform for all stakeholders interested in forests and climate change to gather to ensure that forests are high on the agenda of global and national climate strategies, and that those strategies are informed by the most up-to-date knowledge and experience. The theme of Forest Day 6 is "Living Landscapes", which refers to the interconnections between forests and agriculture and their impacts on people and society.
Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)
Location: Renaissance Doha City Center Hotel

Forest Day Discussion Forum: Mangroves Under Pressure: Forgotten Wetlands in the Changing Climate Learn more about this event.
CI Panelist: Jurgenne Primavera
Time: 16:00 – 17:30
Get the full program schedule for Forest Day here. Registration through the Forest Day organizers required to attend.

Tuesday, December 4

Coastal Carbon: Importance of Natural Coasts for Climate Change Mitigation
Coastal ecosystems like mangroves and seagrass meadows can store many times the carbon stored in tropical forests, but these ecosystems are being lost globally at a rate of two percent per year, releasing large stores of carbon into the atmosphere. Qatari and international marine experts will discuss evolving coastal carbon methodologies and the importance of protecting these ecosystems in Qatar and worldwide.
Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), the Environmental Studies Center at Qatar University, Qatar Foundation International (QFI), Conservation International (CI)
CI Panelists: Fred Boltz, Emily Pidgeon
Time: 15:00 – 16:30
Location: Doha Exhibition Center, Room TBA

Wednesday, December 5

The Road to Doha Webcast
This live-stream webcast, planned by students from Qatar, the U.S. and Brazil, will include a panel of guest speakers who provide multiple perspectives on the science and policy behind climate change. There will be a live chat-room where viewers can ask the panelists questions in real-time. The webcast will be broadcast.
Qatar Foundation International (QFI), Global Nomads Group (GNG)
CI Panelist: Andy Wilson
Time: 16:00 – 18:00
Location: Doha Exhibition Center, Room TBA

 
The Full CI COP 18 Delegation

Agustin Silvani, Ecosystems Finance and Markets
Andy Wilson, Development
Angela Andrade, CI-Colombia/IUCN
Aurelie Lhumeau, Ecosystem Finance and Markets
Bruna Campos, CI-EU/BirdLife
Candido Pastor, CI-Bolivia
Claudio Schneider, CI-Peru
Emily Pidgeon, Global Marine
Fred Boltz, Center for Environment and Peace
Joanna Durbin, Ecosystems Finance and Markets
Johnson Cerda, Center for Environment and Peace
Jonah Busch, Moore Center for Ecosystem Science and Economics
Kate Hanford, Center for Environment and Peace
Kana Yamashita, CI-Japan
Milagros Sandoval, CI-Peru
Molly Bergen, News and Publicity
Patrick Manu, IT
Patricia Baiao, CI-Brazil
Preeya Rampersaud, CI-Guyana
Rebecca Chacko, Center for Environment and Peace
Ricardo Ulate, Center for Environment and Peace
Shyla Raghav, Center for Environment and Peace

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