Co-chairs’ conclusions
Petersberg Climate Dialogue VIII – Working together on solutions
Berlin, 23 May 2017
On 22-23 May 2017, upon invitation of the Fijian Prime Minister and incoming COP-President
Bainimarama and the German Minister for the Environment Hendricks, 35 Ministers and
representatives, the Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, the Secretary General of the OECD
and the Co-chairs of the Ad-hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA) met in Berlin. In
an informal setting, Ministers discussed how to drive forward ambitious climate action in the
context of many domestic and international challenges and how to shape the ongoing
transformation towards low emission and resilient societies in a just manner for all. Chancellor
Merkel highlighted the evidence supporting positive effects on economic growth and wellbeing
arising from the alignment of climate and economic policy. Prime Minister Bainimarama
reminded Ministers that “we are all vulnerable and we all need to act”, pointing to the urgency
to implement the Paris Agreement. He stressed that all countries of the world will be impacted
by a changing climate, but the most vulnerable communities, especially in the Pacific, are
already being affected now. In a video address, UN Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed
stressed the advantages of the implementation of actions to achieve NDCs and SDGs in an
interconnected manner by translating them into effective policy. The main messages from the
ministerial discussions are summarized below in a non-exhaustive manner.
Keeping the political commitment in a world faced with multiple challenges
Interventions by Ministers reaffirmed the commitment of their governments to implement1 the
Paris Agreement and to pursue domestic and collective efforts to limit the temperature increase
to well below 2°C and as close to 1.5°C as possible. Ministers called for upholding
multilateralism and continued global cooperation for the implementation of mitigation and
adaptation efforts. They expressed hope that the benefits of mainstreaming climate policy for
economic growth and job creation would be strong incentives to encourage continued
engagement by all Parties. Speakers underlined that Paris was irreversible and that, in
providing flexibility, the agreement was the best framework to promote implementation at the
national level and build trust in collective efforts. Several Ministers recognized that climate
change in itself was a significant geopolitical challenge, jeopardizing progress towards
sustainable development, peace and security. They stressed the need to promote an equitable
transition and give due consideration to those whose livelihood and jobs would be negatively
impacted by structural change.
Many Ministers shared examples of national efforts and concrete progress in driving forward
the transformation towards low carbon and resilient economies and societies. At the same
time, they underlined the importance of sharing experiences and promoting synergies with the
implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Ministers recognized the
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The United States is currently in the process of reviewing many of its policies related to climate change and
continues to reserve its position on this document and its contents.
important role of governments in guiding implementation by setting up the right legal and
political frameworks, while also acknowledging that a broad coalition of stakeholders is
required to implement transformational actions. Especially the financial community and the
private sector will be instrumental for providing the required investments in climate friendly
technology and infrastructure. Some Ministers emphasized the need to integrate climate
change into other multilateral fora and to give due consideration to guidance provided by the
scientific community.
Expectations for COP23
In his input speech, Prime Minister Bainimarama called upon Ministers to support him in
building a solid foundation for an effective and ambitious implementation of the Paris work
programme by COP24 next year. He stressed that demonstrable progress at COP23 was
essential for this objective. It would be a conference of action and progress guided by the
Fijian “Talanoa” spirit of inclusiveness, transparency and participation in decision making for
the collective good. Ministers stressed the need for substantive progress and focused technical
negotiations to cover all relevant issues of the Paris work programme in a manner that
preserved the balance of the agreement. The APA Co-chairs noted that Parties were
successfully progressing from conceptual discussions to technical negotiations, while stressing
the magnitude of the substantial work ahead.
During the session, Ministers identified three main tasks for COP23:
1. Delivering an outline or structure that captures the main elements of the decisions that
are yet to be made to operationalize the Paris Agreement to allow for the emergence
of a basis for negotiations. They also discussed the best moment to shift towards
textual negotiations.
2. The effective design of the 2018 Facilitative Dialogue to assess collective progress.
Ministers recognized that the dialogue will constitute a key political moment for the
implementation of the Paris Agreement by providing space for informed high level
exchange on opportunities for increased climate ambition. Many called for the active
involvement of non-state actors while some underlined the importance of a holistic
approach recognizing the interlinkages between mitigation, adaptation, and means of
implementation as well as the need for progress in pre-2020 action.
3. Promoting the engagement of non-state actors and strengthening global climate action
by all actors. While Paris delivered on the agreement between states, COP23 should
deliver on effectively mobilizing all stakeholders and catalyzing a collaborative
transformation of our economies and societies to safeguard the interests of the most
vulnerable communities. In shaping an “agreement among societies”, COP23 could be
a milestone in engaging all non-state actors in an inclusive manner, guided by the
“Talanoa” spirit. Additionally, Bonn will allow advancing the design of the Local
Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform and the conclusion of the Gender
Action Plan.
Several Ministers recognized the important interlinkages among issues under discussion,
notably with the enhanced transparency framework, and stressed the imperative of advancing
technical negotiations while safeguarding the balance achieved in Paris.
Bringing Paris Home: mitigation and sustainable development
Ministers agreed that the implementation of NDCs is the main domestic task lying ahead and
that actions need to follow words. The large number of NDCs was recognized as a testament to
the positive momentum and spirit of collaboration provided by the Paris Agreement. However,
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Ministers were also aware of the need to enhance the level of ambition of future NDCs in order
to achieve a balance between emissions and removals by mid-century.
Many Ministers shared their experiences and efforts to mainstream climate policy into other
traditional policy areas. They confirmed that the coherent and complementary implementation
of NDCs and SDGs held the potential to positively drive the development agenda of each
country. In this regard, many Ministers highlighted the NDC Partnership as an opportunity to
catalyze knowledge sharing and coordinated support requested by interested countries to start
and accelerate their NDC implementation. Several Ministers emphasized the role of long term
strategies for driving transformative action and ensuring the cost effectiveness of measures.
The importance of different tools such as carbon pricing and incentives for research and
development was recognized.
Hakima el Haite, High-level Champion for the Marrakesh Partnership for Global Climate Action
stressed that NDCs are “the engine” for driving the Paris Agreement. She underlined that the
deployment of renewable energies and the low cost of wind and solar power were
unmistakable signs of an ongoing energy transition with positive impacts for development. The
need for continued global collaboration and the exchange of best practices among
governments was highlighted. Additionally, Ministers called for effective partnerships between
states and non-state actors in all areas of climate action ranging from energy to forest
protection. They highlighted that especially the private sector, cities and local communities are
key to integrating climate action at different scales and ensuring that no one was left behind.
Bringing Paris Home: climate adaptation and sustainable development
Ministers underscored the need to act now and highlighted that delays in ambitious climate
action would increase the cost of adaptation and put past and future development progress at
risk. To achieve the objectives of the Agenda 2030 adaptation needs to be an integral part of
development planning and receive adequate support from developed countries. Many pointed
to the increased number of natural disasters related to climate change and their increasing
impacts on livelihoods of affected poor and vulnerable people and countries. They require
innovative solutions such as risk pooling and up-scaling the coverage of climate risk insurance
schemes with support from developed countries. Support through institutions like the Global
Partnership for Climate and Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance can mitigate these impacts.
Many Ministers pointed out that adaptation to climate change and the sustainable development
goals are closely interlinked and that climate change threatens the achievement of the SDGs in
developing countries and especially SIDS. Adaptation needs to be integrated in all development
sector plans to ensure, for example, a climate resilient food security. Insurance can help to
buffer financial impacts and provide incentives for adaptation. Ministers stressed the need to
increase access to support for adaptation and the importance of increasing adaptive capacity
and resilience with a view to achieving the sustainable development goals within the context of
a changing climate.
Ministers highlighted that adaptation action needs to involve the private sector and civil society
and cannot be driven by states alone. They called for integrated approaches across all levels
and sectors. A Global Centre of Excellence on Adaptation was presented as an institution that
will support exchange of best practices. Others presented innovative examples for enhancing
disaster preparedness and stressed the need to also enhance technology transfer and capacity
building to promote effective adaptation efforts.
Climate change as a catalyst for sustainable growth and well-being
OECD Secretary General Angel Gurría presented the new OECD report “Investing in Climate,
Investing in Growth”, which was conducted in the context of the German G20 Presidency. He
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highlighted that reorienting economies towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate
resilient development will reinvigorate economic growth, if accompanied by well-aligned
structural and fiscal policies. He stressed that climate protection and growth are inextricably
linked.
The OECD analysis suggests that the positive impact on GDP output could rise to almost 5% in
2050 across the G20. It also concludes that USD 6.3 trillion a year is required on average
between 2016 and 2030 for modernizing and building up infrastructure and that making these
investments climate compatible will cost an additional USD 0.6 trillion a year over the same
period, offset by fuel savings of up to 1,7 trillion a year.
Ministers noted these findings with appreciation and recognized the urgency of taking
immediate action, highlighting that delays will not only lead to major climate damages, but will
also seriously harm economic output.
Ministers highlighted the crucial importance of making climate friendly investments in
infrastructure, given that today’s investment choices will either support or seriously undermine
our ability to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement. In addition, this would support
sustainable development and create a number of co-benefits, including job creation,
innovation, health and well-being. Several Ministers stressed the importance of long-term
planning, e.g. through long-term low emission development strategies, in order to inform our
infrastructure choices. This could also help ensure that the transition is carried out in a just and
equitable manner, leaving no one behind.
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