The concept of a “shared vision” for action was introduced by developed countries under the Bali Action Plan adopted at the 2007 UN Climate Change Conference with the objective of defining common goals for stabilizing the rise in temperature to help pressure all countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The discussion about a “shared vision” became a central part of the negotiations because a rise in average global temperature of 2°C would entail the disappearance of various islands, glaciers, and species of animals and plants. The Alliance of Small Island States (AOISIS), the African Group, and the Least Developed Countries proposed that the goal should be far below a rise in temperature of 1.5°C. Meanwhile, the Plurinational State of Bolivia proposed that the objective should be under 1°C in order to save humanity and have the least possible effect on the Mother Earth.

During the course of negotiations, the Plurinational State of Bolivia put forth that the “shared vision” could not be limited to a goal for a minimum rise in temperature, but that it should include an integral discussion of financial and technological mechanisms and the model of “development” that should be shared in order to reach an agreed-upon goal.

What are the dangers of accepting a temperature increase of 2°C? What are the limits to the rise in temperature and the concentration of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere that we should strive for on a global level? What should we understand as a “shared vision”? This working group will analyze these questions and formulate related proposals.

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