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Seven steps to becoming an UNFCCC expert

Published 08th November 2009 - 6 comments - 1688 views -

If you've ever taken a look at the UNFCCC site you know how scary and dense the text that governs the climate change negotiations is.

UNFCCC is filled with jargon, acronyms and 'suggested text', what not. It is known that even the negotiators find it daunting to read the documents because of their sheer size.

Over the past few months while working on making policy recommendations for IYCN, I've become quite an expert at tackling or navigating through the negotiating text and country submissions to UNFCCC. I assure you it wasn't much fun, but it is fulfilling to know you understand the cutting edge of negotiations.

I find it alarming that most activists do not have any idea about what their demands are on the policy front, which makes their work very ineffective. Afterall just calling for 350ppm does not make any sense if you don't understand how to enforce it. So here's some stuff to help you out.

1. First start of by reading this introductory document on UNFCCC. 

This is enough for you to understand the basic framework that governs the negotiations.

2. Second read this link which is a more comprehensive description of UNFCCC.

At the least you will not be stumped when somebody throws a big acronym like SBSTA at you.

3. Now you are ready for the full description of how UNFCCC works. Read this document.

4. To start tackling the negotiating text that UNFCCC is you HAVE to read the handbook. Without this you'll be lost in the sea of words and confusing paragraphs of the UNFCCC.

5. Of course you don't need to read the entire handbook, but use it as a reference once you start reading the negotiating text.

6. Now you are ready to be at the cutting edge of negotiations and make sense out of any country's negotiation submission. Start with the background of submissions by reading this summary of already made submissions.

7. Now Google for each country's submission. They are all uploaded on the UNFCCC website.

Enjoy smile

 

Category: UN Climate Change Conference 2009, | Tags: cop15, unfccc, climate policy, introduction,



Comments

Yordanka Stoyanova on 08th November 2009:

Good advices Abhishek, thank you grin

Adela on 08th November 2009:

Thank you so much, I’m half way through! wink

Sujoy on 09th November 2009:

Good one, I wonder how you went through all this.

Daniel Nylin Nilsson on 11th November 2009:

Great input Abhishek! smile

Smita Kumar on 16th November 2009:

This was useful !

Paul Montariol on 30th November 2009:

Useful and friendly from you!
Now you are an expert!

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