As week 2 of this COP jamboree is ramping up, one thing is clear – it’s time to think about how to make host countries and COP presidencies (and no, they are not always the same) do what the Paris Agreement obliges them to do: to fully respect human rights and to ensure open and transparent civic space.
While the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been around for 75 years, some Presidencies seemingly needed a reminder: in June, the UNFCCC reiterated that its meetings should be convened at a place where human rights and fundamental freedom are promoted and protected. One very basic rule is to make the host country agreement (HCA) for COPs publicly available. ECO has looked and looked for the one for COP28, from the corners of B6 to the basement of B1: it is nowhere to be found. The UNFCCC tells ECO that it can be requested from the UN Treaty system, but not how that can be done. It’s like trying to find B7 without a yellow brick road.
We all know by now that there can be no climate justice without human rights, and we simply can’t have COP Presidencies going around violating basic human rights. So what do we need for the next COP to bring back confidence in the process, and ensure we get the climate action we need? ECO has some ideas (it might seem like a lot but, hey, you’ve given us over 30 years to think about it).
Scrutinize candidate Presidencies’ human rights record. If freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly are not respected, then Parties have no choice but to press for meaningful and lasting reforms. Observers should not have to be terrified into not attending or self-censorship while in the country, fearing for their lives and safety, including when they go back home.
Scale down the COP. Is this annual jamboree really necessary? ECO cares more about what goes on in the negotiation rooms than about how many barrels of oil can be sold or dollars raised for investment into dangerous distractions. Smaller COPs mean more countries can afford to host – after all, countries should invest in mitigation, adaptation and sustainable development, rather than in ensuring that thousands of delegates from overseas get to go home with a nice COP goodie bag.
Put in place a conflict of interest policy. ECO welcomed the new UNFCCC transparency requirements – they sure have made the counting of the almost 2500 fossil fuel lobbyists at COP28 much easier – but more is needed to actually kick big polluters out. Would you let tobacco companies into negotiations to end smoking? We need a clear definition, including for elected UNFCCC officials, and a robust framework for engagement with a strong accountability mechanism behind it. Violations must have consequences.
Kick out the polluters’ money. No COP should be sponsored by fossil fuel companies – be it directly or through other forms of direct or indirect subsidy such as public-private partnerships, or loans of people through staff secondments and consulting contracts to either parties or to host countries.
Publish the HCA. Don’t hide it behind some labyrinthine system that saps the will to live of anyone trying to navigate it. If a host country is truly respecting its human rights obligations, then what has it got to hide? ECO would like to see them all, please.
Make COPs accessible to all. Civil society, Indigenous Peoples, young and old, people living with disabilities, of all sexual orientations and gender identities: they should all have equal access. From accessibility requirements to affordable food, hotels and support for visa issues, all these should be on the basic to do list for any host. Host countries have an obligation to welcome all who wish to attend – and that means an active listening skills course may be in order, as well as a firm commitment to respecting human rights. Oh and one last point – next time you invite 70,000 people over for a party, it might be worth checking the size of the dance floor. Enough seating space in negotiating rooms is crucial for meaningful participation. A ticketed presence becomes a token presence – placing an opaque shield in front of transparency.