CALD Statement No. 3 S. 2015

CALD Climate Change Statement for COP21

We, the representatives of the Democrat Party (Thailand), Liberal Party (Philippines), Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, Cambodia National Rescue Party, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, Civil Will Green Party (Mongolia), National League for Democracy (Myanmar), Democratic Party of Hong Kong, together with CALD Youth, the International Federation of Liberal Youth, and our partners and guests, on the occasion of CALD Climate Change Summit, held on 12-16 June 2015 in Sihanoukville, Cambodia;

Aware that the 21st Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will convene on 30 November to 11 December 2015 in Paris, France;

Noting that the aim of COP21 is to reach, for the first time in 20 years, a universal, legally-binding agreement that will enable the international community to combat climate change effectively and boost the transition towards resilient, low-carbon societies and economies;

Recognizing that the Asia-Pacific region is one of the most vulnerable areas to climate change worldwide – where its adverse impacts are placing Asian democracies and their institutions, economies, and communities all at risk – with immense loss of life, livelihood, property, and sense of security of the region’s inhabitants;

Believing that progress in addressing climate change can only be achieved through a broad participatory process involving all layers of societies, both in the public and private sectors; and that a solution is possible through dialogue and cooperation among different stakeholders – including political parties and the youth;

I. Sharing a vision for an Asia-Pacific region that is resilient and adaptive to climate change; and supporting global, regional, national and local efforts to combat climate change; and

Echoing the principles enshrined in the CALD Liberal Climate Change Agenda; Do hereby call on the international community to:
On Building Adaptation and Resilience

1. Facilitate knowledge and technology transfer to least developed and most vulnerable countries; and strengthen the exchange of best practices in climate change adaptation – vis-à-vis agriculture and food supply, marine and coastal-resource management, ecosystem and biodiversity protection, sustainable energy and development – in regional and international fora;
2. Ensure the inclusion of climate change and disaster risk information in national education systems as well as in community-based awareness programs, with particular attention to decision-makers and administrators, while encouraging community-based preparation and early-warning systems, as well as mitigation and risk-reduction activities;
3. Recognize that climate change brings about opportunities and threats; and that opportunities must be capitalized on to demand a more transparent, accountable and responsive government and a more climate-resilient society;

On Disaster Risk Preparedness, Prevention, Reduction and Management

1. Institutionalize and intensify Disaster Risk Preparedness, Prevention, Reduction and Management policies, structures, support and coordination mechanisms, and ensure that all relevant disaster-related legislation are implemented and enforced;
2. Develop, employ, and strengthen the capacities and mechanisms of local, national and regional governments for Disaster Response and Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery;
3. Reduce climate risk exposure and vulnerabity by building the adaptive capacity of the most vulnerable people and communities (e.g. poverty reduction, livelihood diversification, access to basic services, zoning and land use planning, resettlement to safer areas, structural building codes and retrofitting, climate-proof infrastructure and environmental buffers; catchment and ecosystem management);

II. On Renewable Energy, Investment and Economic Opportunities

1. Incentivize the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy resources while taking into consideration that least developed countries need assistance in making this shift toward more sustainable communities;
2. Develop affordable and increase access to alternative and climate-resilient energy sources with encouragement of investment in particular in bio-energy plants, and others such as solar and wind energy; and
3. Support the need to invest in climate-resilient or climate-proof infrastructure, with active private-sector participation and innovation, to produce new economic opportunities for sustainable growth.