Category Archives: Civil Society
A Conference Carol
What does this difficult time for global cooperation mean for the future of the climate negotiations? We genuinely cannot say. In the spirit of the season, however, let the ghosts of climate change conferences past, present, and yet to come show us glimpses of what was, what is, and what could be. Continue reading
Five important national considerations that must trump GCF readiness
With pledges exceeding US$10 billion,the Green Climate Fund (GCF) is open for business, and expected to start disbursing funds over the next few months. This is a good time, therefore, to remind policy makers in developing countries that GCF requirements are only one part of the picture – there are far more important national considerations that should be taken into account first, before deciding where the GCF arrangements will fit in. Continue reading
Climate change and the post-2015 goals: Passing ships or all in the same boat?
With 2015 potentially signaling a new chapter for the “global partnership” for poverty eradication and sustainable development, developing country leaders have to consider one question very carefully: do they really want to perpetuate the aid and charity paradigm that reduced them to unequal partners in this partnership for the last half century? This blog considers options, mainly in the context of the new report by the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts Sustainable Development Financing (ICESDF). Continue reading
Vulnerable India 6: Decentralisation and its discontents
One of the most critical elements for successful adaptation by poor and vulnerable communities – if not the most critical element – will be their ability to identify local climate-related threats and respond quickly where response is possible, with locally … Continue reading
Vulnerable India 3: The politics of vulnerability
What is the nature of India’s vulnerability to climate change? This is a very important question. How we choose to answer it will determine whether we see and respond to the whole picture; or whether we choose to see only … Continue reading
Vulnerable India 1: Climate change in the world’s largest democracy
Real Swaraj (self-rule) will come, not by the acquisition of authority by a few, but by the acquisition of the capacity by all to resist authority when it is abused. In other words, Swaraj is to be attained by educating … Continue reading
Why Community Based Adaptation is not enough
For some time now, I have been meaning to write a blog on why splitting climate change adaptation into “community based adaptation” (CBA) and “ecosystem based adaptation” (EBA) is not necessarily a good thing from the point of view of … Continue reading
The Green Climate Fund’s redress mechanism: A cautionary tale from Nagarahole
On my way to the sixth meeting of the Green Climate Fund Board (GCFB) this month, I grabbed the opportunity for an unplanned visit to Nagarahole National Park in Karnataka, south India. The significance of this journey struck me only … Continue reading
In Bali, build a Fund you can be proud of
Anju Sharma and Leonie Wezendonk (Both Ends) In about a week’s time, the Green Climate Fund Board will meet in Bali to continue discussions on the design of what could be a radical new global fund. This will be a … Continue reading
Can the system adapt?
It seems fitting that the field work for my project on climate change adaptation begins in Tamil Nadu, the south Indian state of my birth and childhood. The nodding, smiling helpfulness of its people, the fragrance of sambhar spice and … Continue reading
It must be said! 