Press Conference, SB60

 June 7th, 14.00-14.30 (Room Nairobi 4)

YOUNGO Energy Working Group - Press statement

SB60

Institutionalising the #Time4Action - Moving from high-level demands to a dedicated energy negotiation track

2nd June, Bonn

Today, around 80% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions are energy-related. The current climate governance framework system lacks mechanisms to govern energy systems effectively, despite this being the single biggest “problem” to solve as we seek to reach net-zero emissions. Additionally, it lacks accountability, with most conversations happening outside of negotiations and behind closed doors. COPs and SBs are not designed to permit open debate and meaningful commitments on energy, especially not in a way that includes key stakeholders.

Last year’s Global Stocktake Negotiations, and the resulting cover decision that included the “transition away from fossil fuels” in paragraph 28, was a testament to the current climate framework’s insufficiency. The urgency of the climate crisis does not permit us to wait for a five-year cycle to reinforce and raise our ambitions around one of the most pressing issues. Furthermore, the political phase of the GST process was rushed and lacked transparency, with little access for civil society, thus hindering meaningful discussion about the negotiated text.

The global multilateral governance framework must do better to address the cause of climate change - a fossil-based energy system. Progress today, whether on scaling up renewables, phasing out fossil fuels, or just transition financing, more often comes out of non-negotiated agreements on the periphery of the conference - as opposed to global UNFCCC agreements. It also does not allow to shift from high-level political targets towards implementation that can accelerate the phase-out of fossil fuels.  

Therefore, we call for the implementation of a dedicated energy negotiation track that will not only allow for increased accountability on global emissions reduction pathways but will also further accelerate implementation of mitigation and removal efforts on regional and local levels taking into account that for some, it is not a matter of energy transition but energy access. To ensure that the global energy transition is not a solely top-down process but one that equally values and prioritises bottom-up perspectives, the institutionalised energy track under the UNFCCC needs to ensure that avenue of meaningful and transparent participation in the process is provided to all relevant stakeholders, including youth, marginalised and underrepresented communities and broader civil society.

Only by acknowledging the importance of energy systems to global warming and for the success of just transition, can we ensure that no one is left behind.