Joint Civil Society actions for COP17

COP17 draws attention to the impacts of climate change on the continent, and provides a stage of highlight the solutions required. If climate change is to be addressed, governments must come to an agreement on targets for emissions reductions. It is important, therefore, that civil society is able to pressure world governments to take meaningful action. Civil Society committee for COP17 (C17) was nominated to facilitate joint civil society actions. It is a facilitatory body that will support the participation of international and national civil society in C17 by creating platforms and spaces to address events related to C17. Below is a list of resources that will be made available in the run up to the C17 in December.

The Civil Society Space

At each COP, civil society groups organise independent events, strategise, share knowledge hold conferences and build international links for campaigns and initiatives. A Civil Society Space that will be open to all will be made available. The objectives of the Civil Society Space are to provide a location where organisations host seminars, workshops, conferences and discussions on climate change. Activities in The Civil Society Space will include seminars, workshops, conferences and discussions on climate change. There will also be music and entertainment, high profile public events and mobilisation rallies. The Civil Society Space will be functional from 26th November 2011 to 10 December 2011. The Durban University of Technology (DUT) is in discussion with C17 about hosting the event.

Global Day of Action, Saturday 3 December 2011

The primary action of the Global Day of Action (GDA) is a mass march of international and national community groups and activists to bring to the fore the need for global leaders to take meaningful action on climate change. The route for the march has been identified and permission is being sought. Entertainment will be ensured en-route through floats, musicians and other entertainers. A free concert will be held on the beach at the end of the GDA march to provide entertainment and allow for further actions.

Climate Refugee Camp

During 2011, national, regional and international organisations will undertake mobilisation activities across South Africa and the continent to ensure that there is a strong presence of informed and involved communities at COP17. Grass roots activists will contribute to raising awareness of the potential for climate refugees by participating in a climate refugee camp. A programme of events will be developed to ensure that they are able to participate meaningfully. 6.000 community activists will be invited to participate by travelling to Durban for this period. Accommodation will be in a tent city, active from 01-06 December 2011.

Education and Mobilisation

C17 members organisations and partner organisation will mobilise in all sectors of society. Provincial coordinators within the committee will engage with other organisations, and provide the necessary support. Capacity building workshops will be held to foster links between different organisations to spread information about C17 and COP17. Meetings will be held in July in KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Gauteng after the C17 broad consultative meeting. A second meeting in each of these provinces will be held in October to provide feedback C17 and civil society.

Library of Resources

A library of resources material on climate change will be developed by the Education and Mobilisation subcommittee and made available through the Media and Communications subcommittee.

Government Liaison

The government subcommittee undertakes to liaise with government on C17 activities. Its responsibilities include:

• liaison and organisation with the eThekwini (Durban) local government regarding government planning for COP17, the Global Day of Action and the Civil Society Space.
• Liaison with the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government;
• liaison and meetings with the national government structures;
• reporting back to the committee and broader civil society on these meetings to facilitate an ongoing dialogues;
• liaison and coordination with the UNFCCC civil society contact point;
• liaison with international agencies such as the UNDP;
• Support the teams working on the GDA and the The Civil Society Space.

This subcommittee will act as a C17 contact point for the various levels of government in South Africa, and inform broader civil society about the government positions and communications. They will report to the C17 core committee and a broader civil society group to enable all interested organisations to remain informed and involved. There will be regular reporting to the C17 core committee, monthly updates to a broader civil society group, and individual updates to civil society after meetings with the South African negotiating team.

Media and Communications

The communications subcommittee will communicate C17 and civil society and information to encourage the participation of those interested. It will also facilitate the development of networks to ensure publicity of climate justice events.

Online communication tools

The C17 website is an interactive point of contact fro civil society people working in climate justice movement. It will provide information related to the C17 core committee, travel information and basic background information to climate justice issues. It will be a distribution point for all relevant resource material. Social media such as facebook and Twitter will also be used. A list serve will provide updates on C17 activities and requirements.

Media Liaison

It is therefore critical to build relationship with journalists during 2011, and ensure that during COP17 the independent civil society activities and events are communicated well to international and national journalists.

Public Communications

Press releases might be used to support to civil society events ahead of hand during the COP17 conference, issued at least monthly from June 2011, with frequency increasing during October and November. Press releases will be informed by events organised by C17 in the lead-up to COP17. Material for Civil Society Space, GDA and Education and Mobilisation Materials produced will include basic information about climate change, COP17, C17 activities and civil society participation in negotiations.