Conference: A Global Contract Based on Climate Justice - The Need for a New Approach Concerning International Relations

Climate change and its implications is one of the most urgent challenges global society is facing. Climate change is not only an environmental problem, but also a social and economic one, and it tends to exacerbate existing global disparities. The poorest countries in the world, which have contributed the least to the problem, are most vulnerable to the consequences of climate change. Therefore, a holistic and cooperative international approach is essential for dealingwith climate change.

The ongoing negotiations for a post-2012 agreement can bring a major shift towards global sustainable development. A Global Contract based on the principle of climate justice – a principle which considers historicresponsibility, equity aspects and development issues, all in view of climate change impacts, adaptation and mitigation – is needed to considerably reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a way that supports the economic development and thesocial cohesion of both developing and industrialised countries.

At this conference the participants will play an important role and, with their active contribution, will be able to influence the outcome of the conference. An online consultation will be conducted after the last panel session and this will be complemented by an online exchange of views after each panel. In these consultations the participants will be invited to share their opinions and reflect on the ideas and approaches presented.

This collective discussion process will feed into a joint memorandum which will be elaborated after the conference and will serve as a first common input in view of the ongoing negotiations on a post-2012 agreement (COP 14 in Poznan on 1-12 December 2008).

Speakers:
Gunilla Carlsson
Ottmar Edenhofer
Franz Fischler
Saleemul Huq
Wahu Kaara
Ashok Khosla
Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, CBE
Lord Nicholas Stern
Pavan Sukhdev
Pascal Lamy (tbc)
Louis Michel (tbc)
Jean-Louis Borloo (tbc)