Moving towards a concrete policy agenda...

 

 

Day Two Summary

 

 

The second day of the conference started with four parallel work sessions focusing on different perspectives of the complex global crisis: What is the most strategic focus in the run-up for the Copenhagen summit and how do we better organise ourselves for the follow-up? What does an integrated approach to poverty alleviation and climate change look like and how can we strengthen cooperation between the sectors? The following plenary “Towards a Concrete Policy Agenda” identified a number of key questions, which need to be answered on the way to a policy agenda: What can our organisations jointly do to help mobilise our heads of state to go to Copenhagen? What can our organisations do to support the required change in lifestyle and business standards? How can we strengthen cooperation and partnerships in order to increase our reach and effectiveness?

 

In the subsequent round-table sessions, participants looked at steps for implementing the policy agenda in their own organisations. Based on the report back to the plenary, “A CSO Action Plan Addressing the Global Crisis” with the following 10 key elements was agreed upon:

 

Campaigning for a successful climate summit in Copenhagen
1. A letter to President Obama is being sent from the conference, asking him to demonstrate more leadership on climate change and to attend the Copenhagen summit.


2. Participants commit to sending letters to their own heads of government, asking them to become more active against climate change and to attend the Copenhagen summit. They will use their contacts to governments to promote a positive approach to the summit.


3. Participants commit to work with the media and to mobilise their supporters to increase pressure on the summit to deliver acceptable results.

 

Working together for more impact on the global crisis
4. Participants will work together to integrate climate resilience in their programmes on development, relief, human rights, disabilities, for children or the elderly, etc.


5. Participants will work together in advocacy, communications and other fields to strengthen their voice and increase their effectiveness.

 

Strengthening climate-related action in our own organisations
6. Participants who do not yet have an organisational climate policy will create such a policy addressing issues such as travel, energy use and other climate-relevant factors of their daily work. The Berlin Civil Society Center will include existing climate policies on its website for guidance.


7. The next “Global Perspectives” conference should be carbon neutral. Food served at the conference should be vegetarian.

 

Strengthening our knowledge base
8. Participants will use the websites of the Berlin Civil Society Center and the GCCA to both post and review key documents on climate change.


9. The Berlin Civil Society Center offers to continue providing advice of associated experts when needed.

Reporting back on commitments


10. Participants will report back on these commitments in four months’ time.