UN climate change talks, guest blog: life on the other side

Guest blog by Sarah Nelson, Head of International Policy for RSPB

GOVERNMENT NEGOTIATOR TO ENVIRONMENTAL LOBBYIST - LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE

Almost ten years ago I travelled to Paris to represent my country at my very first UN meeting. This weekend I returned, but on “the other side” to represent the RSPB as the UK Birdlife Partner. So for both my ex Government friends around the world, as well as my new NGO friends – this piece is for you. A reflection of what it’s like from both sides of the fence.

“You have the floor” –  the words used by the Chairs of UN meetings to signal a country can speak. Weeks into a new job working on international biodiversity and in a packed UN conference hall of over 5000 people in Paris, these words almost turned me to jelly. A trembling wreck, I completely forgot the proper convention to respond “Thank you Chair” and instead simply said “Hi”! In my ear I heard the interpreters, translating me into the 6 UN languages “Hola”, “Bonjour”.....! Wincing I managed to compose myself and refer to the notes compiled with the help of the scientists, lawyers and experts who sat behind me.... luckily I got better! Going on to represent my country, the EU and the United Nations to agree the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, set up a new Global Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystems Services (IPBES) and, most recently, agree the Sustainable Development Goals.

I still consider that negotiating on behalf of one’s country, is the greatest honour and privilege that can be bestowed upon you as a civil servant. But what most people don’t realise, is it’s also one of the most difficult. Meetings like the one taking place in Paris over this fortnight take months (in this case year’s!) of preparation.  Country positions need to be discussed and agreed in advance and take into consideration views from all relevant sectors and Ministries. The latest science would need to be balanced by legal, political, environmental, social and economic considerations.  For EU Member States – that process then needs to be discussed and agreed by the EU....and that’s before you take the rest of the world, civil society and the private sector into account!

...and then there is the meetings themselves. The negotiators will be lucky in this final week to get an average of two hours sleep a night, and there is little time to eat. Towards the end, negotiations have been known to go right through the night. That’s twenty four hours of ensuring that every word you speak, every word you agree to, is being done so on behalf of your entire country and may have huge ramifications.... that’s a lot of pressure! I once negotiated all day and night with only a can of coke and a banana to eat and drink!

So what’s it like on the “other side”? – well I am pleased to report that I did manage to get slightly more sleep and the chance to eat! And more excitingly rather than spending my time discussing whether to use words like “should” or “could” I spent my weekend listening and talking to people who are working with countries to make the agreements (like the Aichi Biodiversity Targets) a reality.  The Global Landscapes Forum this weekend brought people together to talk about how Governments, land owners and local communities could manage landscapes to preserve and enhance biodiversity, but also to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change, reduce land degradation and ensure our water supplies remain clean and our air is clean enough to breathe. Real solutions at the local level to global problems. Very inspiring!

And I made my own contribution to the debate. Speaking on an expert panel to highlight the findings of the latest RSPB study on the impacts of climate change on wildlife. That wildlife is already declining as a result of climate change and will continue to do so.  I finished my time in Paris calling on negotiators to not forget about biodiversity (shockingly the word “biodiversity” is currently not mentioned at all in the draft text and the word ecosystem is being deleted as you read this!)... and maybe this is the biggest and best change for me about being on “this side”. I am no longer constrained by political considerations – I am free to simply speak out for what’s right, what the science is telling us and, more importantly, what’s needed to protect this planet for us all.

...so good luck this week to my friends working tirelessly on both sides. Remember to understand and keep speaking to one other. The fate of whether Paris is a success or failure lies with you both.

I managed to persuade the legendary Jane Goodall to sport one of The Climate Coalition's green hearts; photo by Jonathan Barnard

Here I am speaking on an expert panel about the impacts of climate change on wildlife; photo by Jonathan Barnard