Climate Change: from Copenhagen to Mexico

April 2009 saw the Region gearing up to contribute to the COP-15 meeting in December. Its 2009 Climate Change Conference held at the International Maritime Organization brought together leading experts to discuss how a real reversal of climate change emissions could be achieved; and to contribute to the debate on how an effective
successor treaty to the Kyoto Protocol could best be forged.

COP-15: A Disappointment
The much anticipated conference, disppoint-ingly, closed on 18 December 2009 with a non-binding accord that "recognises" the scientific case for keeping temperature rises to no more than 2C but did not contain commitments to emissions reductions to achieve that goal. [Read report and editorial on COP-15]

 

Some of our members on a recent Demo. in Westminster. Next stop Mexico? Find out in Brighton in July!


What's Next and Where to?
The Region, nevertheless, is looking to continue to pursue the agenda.

Summer Council on Climate Change
The Region's Summer Council, entitled "The Road to Mexico", successfully concluded on 24 July 2010.

It was a follow up the the IMO conference. Featuring Polly Higgins (Barrister, Advocate of Planetary Rights), Bernadette Vallely (Women’s Environmental Network) and Debbie Tripley (Environmental Law Foundation), the meeting would contribute to COP-16 in Cancun in November/December 2010. Click here for a report.

 

Branch Event: Westminster and Peacekeeping

Westminster Branch held its 7th annual conference and ceremony to mark International UN Peacekeepers Day on 20 May 2010.

This year's conference is entitled "Keeping the Peace, Protecting the People".

Keynote s peakers included Alan Doss, UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for DRC; Edward Burke (Spanish Think Tank FRIDE); Sandy Allsopp (Allsopp Helikites Ltd) and Andrew Stewart (Thales UK).

Members of the UN Veterans Colour Party (right) honoured fallen UN Peacekeepers as the band of the Coldstream Guards played the Last Post.

Missed the event? Read conference lecture or watch the ceremony.

Other Events

  • UNA-UK Road Show - London and SE Region
    15.02.11 | 6.30pm

  • UNA Director Phil Mulligan consults with the London and SE Region. Space limited. To attend, contact Neville Grant (neville.grant@gmail.com / 020 8858 8489)

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  • Lewisham UNA Symposium: “The UN Achievements & Challenges”
    02.03.11 | 6.00pm Goldsmiths, New Academic Building, Room LG 01, New Cross, London SE14 6NW
  • Presentations by Neville Grant (formerly UNDP consultant); Mans Nyberg, UNHCR; Prof. Sanjay Seth, Head of Politics Dept. at Goldsmiths. All welcome.

    Contact: Gurbakhsh Garcha (020 8699 2050)

  • Putney and Roehampton UNA
    11.03.11 | 7.30pm

    "Trafficking of Women into the UK" Talk

    The Community Church Hall, Werter Road, Putney, London SW15 2LL (opp. Sainsbury’s)

    Contact Catherine Plugyers (020 8699 1101 / catherineplugyers@hotmail.com)