CALD Youth Participates in COP21

 In a few but very special occasions like the COP21, all nations convened for an inclusive, futuristic, and historic agreement that would not just benefit this generation, but the next.

Last 30 November to 11 December 2015, UN member countries, civil society groups, international media and the youth, gathered together in Parc de Expositions, Le Bourget, Paris, France to reach an ambitious agreement on climate change. In those two weeks, all eyes were on Paris, hopeful for a concrete and more determined target on emissions reductions that could put the world in a more sustainable path.

The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), through its international counterpart for the youth – International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) participated in this celebrated event. CALD’s participation in COP21 was the result of a successful climate change conference held in Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh, Cambodia last June 2015 in cooperation with IFLRY and the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and with the support of Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF).

As a regional member, CALD Youth can represent the Asian region in special events that IFLRY has access to, just like the COP. The IFLRY delegation for COP21 was composed of six young individuals who came from various countries such Norway, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Canada, and the Philippines. Coming from different points of views, these young liberals – just like the nations in the conference – brought with them varying knowledge, both theoretical and empirical, which helped them in contributing to the debate on what should be an ambitious but realistic target in addressing global temperature rise this century.

From 2 degree Celsius, the Least Developing Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the Vulnerable Countries, together with civil society organizations and the youth, lobbied for a more ambitious goal of 1.5 degree Celsius, which is a significantly safer position against the disturbing impacts of climate change.

The IFLRY delegation did not waste a minute inside the conference site. They made sure that they are always up to date with the negotiations and developments on the disputed text. Furthermore, on the sidelines of these negotiations, they also used their time in attending special meetings, press conferences, and all other side- events they deemed necessary. There were meetings with the UN Youth Constituency (YOUNGO), and briefings from Canadian, Norwegian, Ukrainian, Philippine, and Dutch official delegations. The delegation also ensured that the social media would be updated with lots of important information on what is happening in the COP. Through this, they helped their networks to be more informed about the essence of the negotiations.

“The Paris Agreement allows each delegation and group of countries to go back home with their heads held high. Our collective effort is worth more than the sum of our individual efforts. Our responsibility to history is immense”, said French Foreign Minister and COP21 President Laurent Fabius.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, speaking after the signing of the agreement, declared: “We have entered a new era of global cooperation on one of the most complex issues ever to confront humanity. For the first time, every country in the world has pledged to curb emissions, strengthen resilience and join in common cause to take common climate action.”

The 18-hectare conference site did not escape from the inevitable force of gravity against tears during and after the adoption of the Paris Agreement. The agreement goes to show how all nations declare their faith in humanity. However, this shall not end here, because this is just the beginning of a greater and more difficult challenge ahead.

“Our work is clearly not done”, said CALD Youth representative Francis Miguel Panday. “We must continue fighting for justice, for solutions, and for peace. The Paris Agreement, alone, cannot save the planet, but the people will.”

To see the Adoption of the Paris Agreement Text, click here.