On the 4th June 2009, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Tripoli General Authority, the Environment General Authority and the Scouts Movement kicked off World Environment Day celebrations with a high-profile debate on Libya and other countries’ contributions to the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference.
World Environment Day is commemorated yearly on the 5th June and is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. The theme for 2009 is ‘Your Planet Needs You- UNite to Combat Climate Change’. It reflects the urgency for nations to agree on a new climate change deal at a crucial climate convention meeting in Copenhagen in December 2009, and also highlights individual responsibility for climate change.

The Copenhagen Climate Change Convention will bring together thousands of individuals from government, observer organisations and the international media to formulate a climate change agreement that will expand upon commitments made at the Kyoto Protocol. It is widely billed as the last chance for the international community to take a firm stance against climate change before global warming spirals beyond their control.

The debate on the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, hosted at the Corinthia Hotel in Tripoli, attracted representatives from over 30 embassies, including 15 ambassadors, as well as senior figures from government ministries, the private sector, and environmental agencies.

Attendees were offered a short videoconference presentation by Dr Myles Allen, a climate change expert at Oxford University, who delivered a sobering overview of current climate change science. He emphasised the pressing need to prevent global temperatures from rising above 2 degrees if the worst impact of climate change is to be avoided. This will involve stringent emissions cuts and a gradual fazing out of carbon fuels.

The American Ambassador, H.E Mr Gene Cretz delivered a speech at the event, his words reflecting a more environmentally concerned America under President Obama’s leadership. He assured guests that “America is back in the game” as far as environmental commitments are concerned. Given America’s political and economic power, as well as its high emissions rates, US engagement with climate change issues is critical. In H.E Mr Gene Cretz’s words, “America is not the solution, but there is no solution without America.”

H.E Mr Moses Kiwe Sebunya, Ambassador for Uganda, also offered some words on Africa’s position regarding climate change. He emphasised that whilst Africa has the lowest emission rates per capita, it stands to be worst affected by global warming. It is estimated that, without significant preventative action, by 2020 between 75 and 250 million people in Africa will not have enough water. H.E Mr Sebunya called upon the international community to offer support to climate change mitigation and adaptation in Africa and to integrate environmental sustainability and low carbon technology into development plans for Africa.

The UNDP has long placed environmental concerns at the top of the development agenda, and has invested over 1.2 billion US dollars in climate change related projects, spread over 140 different countries. It focuses above all in raising national capacities for meeting climate change commitments and adopting sustainable climate change mitigation and adaptation programmes.

In Libya UNDP has an extensive environment portfolio, aimed towards increasing capacities for effective environmental management, solid waste management and water resource management, in order to allow the country to formulate sound interventions in these critical spheres.

The UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Brian Gleeson, spoke to highlight Libya’s unique position in Africa, mentioning that as a leading member of the African Union and an active development agent in Africa, Libya can take a lead in environmental issues on the continent.

He also emphasised the enduring theme for this 2009’s World Environment Day, namely that “When it comes to climate change, no government, no individual, no organisation can go it alone. Climate change has progressed to such a level that combating it will require a unified effort and relentless action by governments and their citizens alike.”

Raising awareness of the key issues at stake at Copenhagen will remain a core focus of UNDP Libya’s advocacy for the coming months, moreover promoting greater dialogue will be key to fomenting the unity required a successful outcome at Copenhagen. Mr Brian Gleeson expressed his hope that the attendees’ “collective voice and views today during World Environment Day here in Tripoli will make such a noise that our words will be heard across the Mediterranean and all the way to Copenhagen.” The high level of involvement of the diplomatic community and other sectors undoubtedly caused a stir.