Finally the much awaited UN Climate Change summit is taking place at Copenhagen (7-18 December 2009).  Technically known as the COP15 (Fifteenth Conference of Parties ) under the auspices of the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework  Convention for Climate Change), has  brought in  more than 15,000 people from all over the world, including the “parties” -  the diplomats, civil society organizations, journalists and climate activists in this beautiful city.

This is indeed a historic moment since Kyoto protocol (COP3) with regards to the negotiations that are on the table.  The COP15 also becomes significant for the fact that the USA will be participating in it as an important “party” and not as an observer, as in the past.   There is a strong lobby by the climate change activists and civil society organizations on a legally binding emission cut, on different levels for both the developed and developing countries.  However, the developing countries  including India and China 2nd and 4th largest global emitters of green house gases  are not yet ready for a legally binding emission cut, but  have voluntarily agreed for upto 40-45% & 20-25% by 2020 respectively.

CASA is among the prominent Ecumenical Organisations to participate in the COP15 as an Observer, registered under the auspices of the ACT Alliance (Action By Churches Together).  There are as many as 200 participants belonging to ecumenical and church related organizations are participating in the COP15.

CASA is holding demonstrations on highlighting the Climate Justice Issues by raising the voices of the poor indigenous people from India, who have negligible carbon emission but have to face the brunt of  the climate change related disasters.  CASA is represented with Mr. Dinesh Suna, Policy Officer and Ms. Joycia Thorat, Project Officer, West Zone, at the COP15.  They are also handling the exhibition stalls of ACT at the Klima Forum (People’s Forum on Climate Change) held parallel to the COP15. Please watch out for more news coverage on COP15 on this site through our representatives at COP15.