Final Conclusions working group 9: Shared Vision

1. This shared vision is premised in our collective knowledge. Our collective knowledge includes the know-how of our ancestors, traditional knowledge, practices of our indigenous peoples, and the science that is not responsible to vested interests and is directed at improving the safety, stability, health and well being of the Earth.

Working Group 9: Shared Vision

Climate change is not something that may happen in the future, indeed it represents a real threat to Mother Earth’s life and all beings that live in it, because we are already experiencing its impacts. Therefore, the elimination of the origins of this phenomenon is one of the greatest challenges and responsibilities of States, Governments and peoples of our time.

GROUP 9: SHARED VISION

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.

Shared Vision

Objective of the group in terms of discussion and product

• Discuss and explore the proposals and contents that should contain a shared vision that is inclusive and representative to define the new climate change regime in the long term.

• Establish a limit on the increase temperature of the planet and the global concentration of greenhouse gases.

• Discuss the elements of the “Copenhagen Accord ” which not necessarily respond to the Bali Action Plan and the ultimate goal of the United Nations Convention on climate change.

Main issues to discuss with the group

• What should we understand as a “shared vision”?  

• What measures can help to achieve this shared vision?

 • What are the dangers of accepting an increase equal to or greater than 2 ° C ?

 • Considering the scientific studies presented to date. What should be the limit at the temperature increase that we should consider as suitable until 2100?

What global concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere represents the increase and when global emissions must reach their peak?

• Why Copenhagen understanding is not shared vision?