The CMCC will attend the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Durban (28 November – 9 December 2011) in both the negotiations and in side events. On one hand, Sergio Castellari, Riccardo Valentini and Sara Venturini will take part in the italian delegation. On the other hand the CMCC is involved in meetings and side events.

The global carbon cycle in climate and the implementation of REDD+, Africa-Eu scientific collaboration in climate change studies and regional informations for climate services in Africa and  green finance are some among the topics that will be discussed by CMCC’s members in the international framework of the COP17 in Durban.

Here it is the detailed list of the events with the participation of the CMCC.

Regional information for climate services in Africa is the side event organized by CMCC (with the participation of Prof. Riccardo Valentini and Dr. Antonio Bombelli – Iafent division) and by the Cape Town University that will take place on Saturday 03 Dec 2011 (18:30-20:00 Room 1). The event will focus on improved climate services, including thoughtful assessment of uncertainties, that are needed to support decision makers for developing responsible adaptation strategies and promote sustainable development in Africa. 

Africa and the cooperation with European Union is the focus of the side event Africa-EU scientific and technological cooperation in the field of climate change: best practices, challenges and opportunities for addressing capacity development needs for research in Africa (EU Pavilion – Monday, 28 November 2011, h. 13:00-15:00). 

The side event will showcase examples of successful EU-Africa scientific cooperation in the field of climate change, focusing on best practices, challenges and opportunities for development of capacities for climate change research in Africa. In particular, capacity needs in areas such as (1) Climate predictions and scenarios; (2) Climate change impacts on health, agriculture and ecosystems; (3) Adaptation options; will be considered, including through a panel discussion involving representative of the EC, EU Member states, European and African researchers, UN agencies and other stakeholders. Dr. Antonio Bombelli (CMCC’s Iafent division) will participate to this side event with a presentation on the dynamics of climate change in Africa, based on the ClimAfrica project. 

REDD+, forests and climate change will be topics discussed in the side event The Forest and Carbon initiatives of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) that will take place at CCR Expo Convention Center (Friday 02 Dec, h. 14.00 – 16.00). 

The objective of the Event is to inform the Parties to the UNFCCC as well as the other interested entities and civil society on the  advances of the GEO initiatives aimed at better understanding the global carbon cycle in the climate and at supporting countries in monitoring their forest resources and implementing national MRV systems for REDD+.

The Group on Earth Observations is a voluntary partnership of governments and international organizations that is coordinating efforts to build a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). It provides a framework within which these partners can coordinate their Earth observation strategies and investments, share their data, and develop new projects. In this way, GEO aims to ensure that decision makers have full access to the cross-cutting data and information that they need for addressing critical global issues. In the framework of Geo, CMCC coordinates the project GEOCARBON – Operational Global Carbon Observing System.

Among the events focused on mitigation there is The San Giorgio Group: Expanding Green, Low-Emissions Finance (Apies River, Friday, 09 Dec 2011, h. 11:30-13:00).

The discussion will present an initiative that involves a working group of key financial intermediaries and institutions engaged in green finance. The San Giorgio Group – that was established by CPI  backed by FEEM, the WB Group, CLP and other partners – explores how existing funding can be scaled up and effectively deployed by deriving lessons from current practices.

The event is organized by CPI, FEEM and Ca’ Foscari University of Venice with Prof. Carlo Carraro (FEEM, CMCC and President of Ca’ Foscari University).

Further Information:

• the offical web site of the COP17;
• the complete list of all the side events at COP17