ABSTRACTS
 
 

	Contraction and Convergence - The Proportionate Response to Climate Change Mr. Aubrey Meyer, Global Commons Institute The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was adopted in 1992 with the objective to halt the rising concentration of greenhouse gas (GHG) in the atmosphere. In 2007, efforts to this end remain insufficient and the danger of “runaway” rates of global climate change is increasing as we continue to create this problem faster than we mitigate it. The science-based, global climate policy framework of Contraction and Convergence (C&C) provides an equitable solution to cutting carbon emissions so that collective efforts to reduce emissions are effective. Three elements are at the core of the C&C campaign: (1) the constitutional concept of C&C; (2) the relevant techniques and processes of C&C; (3) the sustained effort to present C&C as the basis of the proportionate response to climate change.
	Facing Climate Change: The Four Horsemen of the Diplomat’s Apocalypse Mr. Aldo Matteucci, Senior Fellow, DiploFoundation The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is quite confident: anthropogenic climate change is a fact, to the extent that complex truths can be established. It establishes a global challenge that demands action at both global and local levels. Diplomats must translate such ambitions into a workable reality. In facing the challenge of climate change, diplomats are likely to encounter any of four scourges: (1) paralysis by analysis, in which truth is but a lie trying to come out, and more knowledge can be always be invoked to postpone decisions; (2) the counsel of perfection, where one can always “do better;” (3) negationism, a state of denial that can be a reaction to what is perceived as an “insurmountable problem;” (4) the “war on climate change,” viewing problems as so grave as to justify any action and any measure, and to divide the world into friends and foes.
	Learning Lessons From Disaster Management Diplomacy Dr. Ilan Kelman, Centre for International Climate and Environmental Research Creeping environmental changes, such as climate change, significantly affect all global and local levels, and are considered major disasters. One important result of environmental change is its effect on conflict, diplomacy, and international scientific and environmental cooperation. One example of disaster diplomacy influenced by climate change is the relocation of island communities due to sea-level rise and ocean acidification. Spin-offs include defining “environmental diplomacy” to encompass environmental management issues and treaties and could lead to lasting, positive diplomatic outcomes beyond environmental management. The Kyoto Protocol is a useful case study due to the resulting international cooperation and conflict. Lessons from exploring disaster diplomacy outcomes from climate change include a useful form of cooperation among political enemies that occurs through scientific and technological processes. Successful disaster diplomacy could result because diplomats and politicians are not involved in, or are unaware of, this work. As well, transboundary issues become prominent even when international relations are not the overriding influence on the political situation.
	Case Study for Innovation in Climate Change Diplomacy Mr. Andre Stochniol, Director and Founder, International Maritime Emissions Reduction Scheme (IMERS) Rapid progress in tackling climate change requires innovation both in solutions and diplomacyThis case study shows how diverse and conflicting positions in climate change negotiations can be addressed successfully through simultaneous innovation in solutions and the diplomatic process. The potential for synergies is enormous as many officials are constrained by bureaucracy and time, and often lack the vision and skills that business innovators can bring. We describe how novel thinking and non-state actors have managed to unlock one of the most methodologically complex and diplomatically difficult issues. Emissions from international aviation and maritime transport had to be excluded from the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 and little progress has been achieved since then. In early 2007 we created an ambitious International Maritime Emission Reduction Scheme (IMERS). It is a novel market-based scheme to mitigate maritime CO2 emissions and simultaneously reduce the gap in financing of adaptation to climate change in developing countries by $3bn annually. Within just one year it was brought to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), discussed internationally and followed by practical submissions from various states and organizations. We will discuss how this swift progress was possible, what issues have been unlocked, and what remains to be done for the proposed scheme to be agreed and implemented.  Our experiences show that bringing novel solutions by non-state actors to diplomatic negotiations requires business rigour and diplomatic patience, as well as money - obtaining funding for a public good solution is rather difficult! Based on our experiences, we find that successful innovation in climate change diplomacy involves three crucial steps: Craft an ambitious yet affordable solution. Do it by following best practices in business strategy, thereby avoiding governmental or other policy constraints. Bring the proposal to the multilateral process through an influential government. Ignore the temptation to try to achieve this through associations or large companies, it might take years.  Engage relevant parties in an iterative process aimed at refining and ultimately supporting the proposed solution. Select diverse parties for initial discussions - obtaining support from the 27 EU countries is well short of what is required in climate change diplomacy. Formalize this iterative process within the multilateral organization and engage business innovators in the process. The last step is for the international community to negotiate, coordinate, and finalize parameters for the solution. The case study will end with an open discussion drawing on the key lessons learned.
	The Value of Diplomatic Effort in the Generation of International Law Dr. Simone Borg, University of Malta The international political community started to take note of climate change in the Fall of 1988, following a Maltese initiative to request the 43rd session of the General Assembly to include the item on its agenda. After intensive diplomatic effort, UNGA unanimously approved the “Maltese” resolution 43/53, which defined Climate Change as a Common Concern of Humankind. This definition is more than a catch phrase and presents significant insight into the inadequacies of the international political/legal system’s perception of managing the global commons. Above all it shows how diplomacy leads to the conclusion of documents referred to as “soft law.”  The Effects. The value of UNGA 43/53 cannot be under estimated it is the perfect example of a document that is a product of diplomatic effort, which has strong legal repercussions. This was an unprecedented situation in International Diplomacy that ventured where the law has feared to thread. This Resolution shows how the nature of the problem is common to all humanity despite geographical location, socio-economic and political differences. It also evokes a sense of ownership of the problem that no State is immune from. It refers to the historical responsibility on the part of the industrialized States. Another important effect was the Resolution’s reference to the temporal aspect where not only governments were the stakeholders but also Civil Society and representatives of future generations. It was therefore a predecessor to the notion of Sustainable Development.  The Challenges. This Resolution also presented a number of challenges to be tackled via International diplomacy. Rather than “internationalise” climate, “common concern of humankind” seeks to internationalise climate change as a problem, which humanity as a whole has inherited. Given the global nature of the problem, which has inter and intra generational repercussions, this calls for concerted action rather than benefit sharing. This was the marketing tool used by the Maltese diplomats forming part of the delegation at UNGA and won over skeptical views. Twenty years later another diplomatic move by the UK to take the issue to the Security Council in 2007 continues in the same direction. The UK considers Climate Change as an issue of International Security. Conclusions. The Value of Diplomatic Effort in the Evolution of International Law. It is essential to understand how international law must be “adjusted” to address climate change effectively, to develop adequate and comprehensive governance systems. Why did the UK chose the UNSC? On 31st Jan 1992 the UNSC (UN Doc S 23500) included environmental disputes as constituting a potential threat under Chapter VII of the Charter (excluded therefore from reserved domain defence). Identified such disputes as a Threat to International Peace and Security. International law is not promulgated in Parliament, its reliance on diplomatic effort therefore is inevitable. Diplomacy is where International law is born so much so we refer to UNGA resolutions as “soft law.” Only diplomatic effort may spearhead Nations to take legally binding commitments to address climate change. Only diplomatic effort can serve to overcome the many legal challenges involved that have stalled the process over these last twenty years. Life on earth therefore depends on climate change diplomacy.
	Climate Change: A Business Perspective Mr. Martin Galea, President, Federation of Industry The attitude of Business to the EU targets on Climate Change can be summed up as follows: This is a challenge which must be met as an imperative Business will be affected in a number of ways - costs of doing business will be affected and costs to consumers will increase It is imperative to ensure that the competivity of European Business is not diminished There are business opportunities possibly led by technology which means that Europe should lead from the front Business does recognize that if the EU targets are to be met, and they are difficult to achieve, then there must be a concerted effort by the main partners in society to achieve this. Consumer patterns must change, Industry must adapt and drive technology, and Governments must legislate and incentivise. Paramount from industry's point of view is to maintain a level playing field.  Business is the ability to seize a market opportunity within a framework be it legal, fiscal, or environmental. Companies are used to operating within say laws regulating health and safety, or waste or under a tax regime. It would not be considered acceptable if these laws were applied to certain companies and not others. Similarly if it is important that if industry is to be burdened with part of the costs of change, then these rules do not burden European companies whilst allowing say American companies or Chinese companies to operate outside these rules. This will have a two fold effect. Companies in Europe will become uncompetitive and may take up the option to relocate or perhaps switch to importation, and secondly the world targets will not be achieved. It is for this reason that European President has insisted on a level playing field and even hinted at tariffs as a last resort should other countries not co operate. Business Europe, the voice of Industry in Europe has been involved in negotiations with the commission regarding the Emission Trading Scheme which remains unsatisfactory in a number of areas. It is understood that there is merit in this scheme but that further refinement is required. For instance the free allowances are left uncertain until 2010, and the opt out for small installations is too low at 25,000 tons (CBI estimates that 2% of firms account for 80% of emissions). However ultimately it is consumers who must be the main drivers of change, To do this consumers must be educated and informed about the consequences of their choices, they must be incentivised to make low carbon decisions and they must have access to a wider range of low carbon products. Industry must incorporate change and find technological solutions to the problem. This will be in producing more efficient products to sell, and lower carbon methods of production. There must be standards for reporting the carbon effects of their products and their businesses to help consumers in their decision making. Government must drive change through education, incentives to industry and consumers, fund and reward research and development, and direct policy to the most effective means of reducing carbon emissions. International diplomacy must ensure that all major countries sign up to the protocol to ensure no unfair advantage to companies operating in countries who opt out. The CBI report, which embraces the climate challenge, starts by stating " this report is not written by evangalists but by businessmen". It recognizes that it is vital to mitigate the danger of climate change. Business is up to the challenge but it is up to the legislators to create the framework for industry to operate in on a global level.
	Malta’s Communication to the UNFCC and associated research Prof. Charles Sammut, University of Malta Malta signed UNFCCC in 1994 as non-Annex I country and ratified the Kyoto Protocol in 2001. Malta’s only obligation according to the Article 12 of the UNFCCC is to submit national communications at regular intervals. The First Communication of Malta to the UNFCCC (FNC) was submitted in June 2004. The first part of the presentation gives a concise overview of the GEF-funded project leading to the FNC and how experts form different disciplines contributed to the final outcome.  The momentum of the first project resulted in additional funding from GEF for a second phase which focussed on technology needs assessment and the compilation of a climate change programme for Malta. Institutional and public awareness, which were poor during the course of the first project, improved as the profile of Climate Change issues crept up to the top of the EU agenda and took centre stage in the media. The National Strategic reference Framework (2007-13) makes reference to air emissions and fossil fuels and links the energy sector to climate change, underlining the need to mitigate the impact of rising prices of fossil fuels on the national economy and of the resultant emissions on climate change. The National Strategic Plan for Research and Innovation (2007-10) designates environment and energy resources as one of the platforms of strategic importance. From this resulted MCST’s R & I programme, which gave rise to a number of project proposals aimed at emission reduction. In the meantime besides the FNC and the second phase projects, a sustained effort resulted in a successful proposal for funding of the preparation of a Second National Communication by GEF. This project is now under way. The Faculty of Science has a number of scientists interested in climate change issues and the Physics Department is setting up a regional climate modelling capability, with support from the British High Commission.
	Malta’s Sustainable Development Plan  Mr. Martin Scicluna, National Commission for Sustainable Development
	European Union Internal and External Diplomacy in Climate Negotiations Mr. Leonardo Massai, Researcher EU Environmental Law, T.M.C. Asser Instituut The participation of the EU and its member states in the international climate regime created by the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol is a unique case of multilateral environmental agreements. This is due to both a specific rule designed under the Kyoto Protocol addressing the European Community and two recent European enlargements that occurred between the time of negotiation and definition of the final text of the Kyoto Protocol and its ratification by the EU and its member states. This paper focuses on climate change diplomacy from the EU perspective. In particular, the history and the details of the Kyoto Protocol and of the EU Burden Sharing Agreement are presented to show differences and similarities of national and regional approaches to international negotiations. Also, the EU and its member states are discussed in relation to the EU/EC legal personality under international negotiations, and the formation of the EU position for climate negotiations.
	Mediterranean Perspective on Climate Change Diplomacy Mr. Paul Mifsud, Coordinator – UNEP – Mediterranean Action Plan For over 30 years Mediterranean countries Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention have been working together to address common problems of a trans-boundary nature. Within the Barcelona Convention framework they have been employing environmental diplomacy because this process brings together Mediterranean countries, with different traditions and cultures and also political differences to negotiate together and reach agreements on issues of common concern. These same countries, some of them hostile states, have been engaged on disaster diplomacy to help each other when faced with humanitarian problems as a result of devastating natural disasters like earthquakes. There is a parallel between environment and disaster diplomacy with climate change diplomacy. Climate change is expected to bring about havoc in the Mediterranean with disastrous consequences. As a result climate change could also enable neighbouring countries in the Mediterranean to engage in diplomatic efforts to address the challenges of climate change. Natural resources are also expected to be effected very negatively by climate change. Natural resources that are shared by neighbouring states, like water, could also be the source of conflicts in the Mediterranean. Unless diplomatic efforts are employed in the region in the face of the negative effects that climate change is predicted to have on natural resources, the situation could degenerate into conflicts and human sufferings. For developing Mediterranean countries to be in a position to face the challenges of climate change they are in need of assistance in order to enhance their human and financial capacity to be in a position to adopt mitigation and adaptation measures. Combating climate change will be a central peace policy of the 21st century that will require the employment of intense diplomatic efforts. In this respect, and in view of the tensions that climate change is expected to bring about among states in the Mediterranean region, it is imperative that in the coming years, diplomacy be engaged in over-drive.
	Carbon Finance Capacity Building in South-Eastern Europe and the CIS Ms. Anna Kaplina, Project Manager, United Nations Development Programme The presentation will take up three points: greenhouse gas reduction potential and carbon market barriers in South-Eastern Europe and the CIS; UNDP work in the area of carbon finance capacity-building in the region; a short description of the Regional Programme for Kyoto Protocol capacity-building.
	Climate Change and Multidisciplinary Training Dr. Claude Heimo, EEF-Switzerland The effects of climate change are already felt, often with significant economic consequences on land and water resources, infrastructure, and food. Climate change will affect not only the environment, but also economic growth, development, health, migration, human rights, and security in many regions of the world, particularly in developing countries. Moreover, all internationally agreed development goals may not be achieved, as the foundations of sustainable development may be undercut by flooding, disruption of food and water supplies, and other problems caused by climate change. However, climate change may unite the international community, if it recognizes climate change as a threat to humankind and adopts a globally coordinated climate policy. Yet, gaps and barriers in awareness, recognition, acceptance, technology, capacity, planning, policy, financial ability, and accountability need to be understood. Steps to remove the barriers need to taken, and this at all levels – global, regional, national, local, as well as individual. DiploFoundation anticipates playing an important role in training and helping the diplomats who are going to assume leadership roles in international climate change and environmental negotiations in line with the main objectives of the Bali Strategic Plan for Technology Support and Capacity Building. In this framework, DiploFoundation is committed to provide future diplomats with a result-oriented, pragmatic, and effective integrated teaching program that would improve their knowledge base and awareness of the underlying concepts of climate change and give them a new sense of responsibility and urgency towards climate change issues.
	Professional Development Training for Climate Change Diplomacy and Intelligence Leadership Excellence Prof. Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe, Royal American Institute on Monaco Environmental Diplomacy is a complex and challenging subdiscipline of international diplomacy. Unfortunately, while a myriad of advanced post-graduate professional diplomatic training programmes have been developed in international diplomacy for emerging and mid-level diplomatic professionals, no singular superlative credential is available to all diplomats. The UNEP Certificate in Environmental Diplomacy is the only advanced professional credential available in environmental diplomacy, but it utilizes a highly selective process and its costs may be out of reach for diplomatic professionals. However, a diversity of other professional diplomatic training courses, certificate and degree programs do exist that are affordable and available to environmental/climate change diplomatic practitioners seeking a current and professional scholarly understanding of the environmental diplomatic issues of our time. This lecture will provide an in-depth overview of the many professional development and training options for environmental diplomats and environmental diplomatic scholars seeking training and advanced education for environment affairs, climate change, and sustainable development.
	Online Toolkit for Climate Change Diplomacy Dr. Jovan Kurbalija, Director, DiploFoundation Apart from dealing with political controversy, climate change diplomacy will be a complex management exercise. It is multiDISCIPLINARY (entailing science, law and economics), multiSTAKEHOLDER (involving governments, business, civil society and academia) and multiLAYER (covering global, regional, national and local levels). All players involved in climate change diplomacy will need to manage huge amounts of information and to participate in numerous policy processes. It will be particularly challenging for small and developing states. Some solutions for these problems may be found in the effective use of online tools. This session will present some of those tools, classified in three so-called “generations” of Internet tools: Web 1.0 (websites, e-mail), Web 2.0 (blogs, wikis, social networking) and Web 3.0 (virtual embassies and other virtual reality tools). They will be presented through the story of one day in the life of a fictitious e-diplomat dealing with environmental issues.
	Capacity-Building for Small Island States Dr. Alex Sceberras Trigona, Senior Fellow, DiploFoundation The increasingly varied thematic specialization of international negotiations is challenging the traditional role of the generalist Diplomat. The spectacular spread of multilateral norm-making institutions has increased the demand for Specialists. However, specialists and experts do not necessarily have a diplomatic disposition or diplomatic skills or diplomatic experience. Reconciling the need for both specialist as well as generalist diplomats is not easily solved. It is particularly daunting for small states. This is especially so in environmental diplomacy.  In the search for a just and equitable international environmental framework Post-Kyoto 2012 small states definitely require empowerment. Most small states have few diplomats, fewer specialists and even fewer diplomat/specialists. Capacity building programmes are a must in these transitional five (5) years. These can help to train the numbers required in bridging the specialist/generalist dichotomy; in fostering co-operation through bonding, binding and band-wagoning with others; in developing the diplomatic skills necessary in different phases of negotiations; in advancing alternative routes towards the same solutions; in utilizing the various online tools available to the modern diplomat as well as through guided simulations of current multilateral environmental negotiations.
	Developing Country Capacity Building: Ensuring the Effective Negotiation and Implementation of a Global Climate Deal Mr. Shane Tomlinson, Third Generation Environmentalism Ltd At present, the ability of developing countries to shape future climate change frameworks and their delivery mechanisms is weak. The Bali roadmap has outlined the process to find agreement on a framework in 2009-10 and this short timescale will be vital in establishing capacity-building support. Without developing country action, emission-reduction targets will be set by the emitters, not the victims. Drawing on our high-level engagement in the international climate negotiations, we will present our analysis of the capacity-building needs of developing countries that would enable them effectively to engage in the negotiation and implementation of the global climate deal.

Contact: conference@diplomacy.edu

© 2007 DiploFoundation