Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, countries have been meeting in formal negotiations at least twice each year since 1992. From the outside (and even from the inside!), progress can appear achingly slow at these meetings. Despite this, there have been significant successes, particularly on the issue of adaptation. A significant milestone was the agreement on the National Adaptation Plan processes as part of the Cancun Adaptation Framework in 2010.
In this presentation, Beth Lavender will provide an overview of these successes, identify what the key adaptation issues are in the discussions of a post-2020 agreement, and discuss the realities of a consensus-based process that has 195 Parties tackling an issue as complex and complicated as climate change.
Students, staff and faculty interested in climate change adaptation, policy, and/or international relations are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to ask questions and hear Beth's take on what it's like "behind the curtain" at a UNFCCC event.
Please RSVP online.
Beth Lavender is the Adaptation Program Manager with the Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Division of Natural Resources Canada. She participated in the COP20 negotiations in Lima, Peru in December 2014 as part of the Canadian government delegation.
Elizabeth Atkinson will introduce Beth and provide an overview of the work of the Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Division. Elizabeth works for Natural Resources Canada based out of a UW office.