With COP15 finally set to begin in a matter of days now and as interested parties from all round the globe converge on Copenhagen, as a Parliamentarian from Bangladesh who will participate in these proceedings, I have mixed feelings. Particularly after the election of President Obama and thanks to growing chorus of voices urging affirmative and decisive action in Copenhagen for an equitable and inclusive global deal that would be legally binding and enforceable, expectations were high that finally such an Agreement might be possible.

However, over the last few weeks it has been made clear there will be no legally binding agreement and the best we can hope for now is an expression of political will and agreement on 2 degree Celsius cap and perhaps six months or a year down the road, a legal agreement, with strong compliance safeguards, based on “understandings” reached at Copenhagen.

I am not aware of a Plan B in case Copenhagen does not deliver at all, just as there is no Planet B to Earth. We have one planet and one opportunity to get the process moving in the right direction and Commonwealth Parliamentarians in particular (as they do represent countries covering all aspects of Climate Change challenge – mitigation, adaptation, funding and technology) have to play a pivotal role.

The CPA Task Force on Climate Change thus needs to promote networking amongst Commonwealth MPs so that they may share experience and perspectives, facilitate enabling legislation and most importantly develop systems, codes and processes that will enable them to ensure enhanced, qualitative governance and effective oversight of how climate change resources are allocated and spent in their respective countries.

Saber Hossain Chowdhury, MP
Chair, All Party Parliamentary Group on Climate Change & Environment
Bangladesh Parliament

Source:   http://cpa.informz.net/cpa/archives/archive_538079.html