Enhancing the Effective Engagement of Indigenous Peoples and Non-Party Stakeholders

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1 Enhancing the Effective Engagement of Indigenous Peoples and Non-Party Stakeholders Canada welcomes the opportunity to respond to the invitation from SBI45 to submit our views on opportunities to further enhance the effective engagement of Indigenous Peoples and non-party stakeholders with a view to strengthening the implementation of the provisions of decision 1/CP.21. Our submission will focus on: I. Canada s approach to strengthening engagement with Indigenous Peoples, subnational governments, and other non-party actors to advance its climate change goals, both domestically and internationally; and II. Leveraging existing initiatives to advance effective Indigenous and non-party stakeholder engagement. Canada recognizes the value of effective engagement of Indigenous Peoples and non-party stakeholders on matters under the UNFCCC process and the contributions they make in addressing climate change. This includes how under the Paris Agreement, Parties agreed that they should, when taking action to address climate change, recognize and respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples. In Canada, Indigenous Peoples have a unique relationship with the Government of Canada and we are taking into account the unique circumstances and opportunities of Indigenous Peoples, as well as northern, remote, and vulnerable communities when taking actions to address climate change. Canada believes that Parties can benefit greatly from the engagement of Indigenous Peoples and domestic stakeholders. Parties can learn from each other, and Canada would be pleased to share our recent experience in developing and implementing our domestic Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change to address climate change, grow our economy, and enable us to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. Moreover, Canada recognizes that genuine collaboration will ultimately mobilize stronger, sustainable and more ambitious climate action by all Parties and by Indigenous Peoples and non-party stakeholders (i.e., including subnational governments, local communities, civil society, the private sector, financial institutions, cities, and other subnational authorities). I. Canada s approach to strengthening engagement with Indigenous Peoples, subnational governments, and other non-party actors to advance its climate change goals, both domestically and internationally Domestic Engagement At the core of Canada s efforts to strengthen its actions to address climate change and implement the provisions of the Paris Agreement and 1/CP.21, is the adoption on December 9, 2016 by federal, provincial, and territorial governments of the Pan-Canadian Framework, our collective plan to grow our economy while reducing emissions and building resilience to adapt to a changing climate. This Framework sets Canada on a firm path towards achieving its emissions target under the Paris Agreement, and its successful adoption reflects a commitment to non-party engagement. The Framework is rooted in the principles of a collaborative approach that builds on the actions of federal, provincial and territorial governments to address climate change. The development of the Framework was informed by input from stakeholders and Indigenous Peoples across Canada, and in consultation with the public, businesses, and civil society. Indigenous representatives also contributed 1

2 their knowledge and expectations, and provided important considerations that helped shape the Framework. The actions outlined in the Framework recognize that subnational governments and Indigenous Peoples have been early leaders in addressing climate change, and that the diversity of regional economies across Canada requires a fair and flexible approach to enable each jurisdiction to capitalize on opportunities related to the transition to a low-carbon economy. This includes ensuring that the provinces and territories have the flexibility to pursue the design of their own policies to meet emission reduction targets, including their own carbon pricing mechanisms. The Framework also recognizes the need to strengthen collaboration between governments and Indigenous Peoples, and the importance of partnering with Indigenous Peoples to identify solutions for mitigating local and regional climate impacts and informing choice of adaptation measures. To that end, the federal government is committed to jointly establishing three bilateral tables with representatives of First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis Nation. These new tables will establish a structured, collaborative, distinctions-based approach for meaningful engagement and partnership in advancing clean growth and addressing climate change. In implementing the Framework, the federal, provincial, and territorial governments as well as Indigenous Peoples will continue to work together to review the progress annually to assess the effectiveness of collective actions and ensure continual improvements. The Framework recognizes the importance of continued and long-term partnership and engagement with Indigenous Peoples and stakeholders, such as civil society and industry. This collaborative approach to engaging with non-party actors to strengthen and sustain action on climate change is critical for supporting the commitment under the Paris Agreement to increase the level of ambition over time. A key component of the Framework is fostering investment in clean technology and innovative solutions that facilitate economic growth and job creation, while supporting Canada s commitment to address the challenge of climate change. It recognizes that governments and industry must work together both domestically and internationally to advance the research, development, and deployment (RD&D) of transformative technologies. For example, Canada is part of the multilateral initiative Mission Innovation, under which the federal government aims to double its investment in the area of clean energy research and technology development over five years, while also encouraging greater levels of private sector investment. To support Mission Innovation goals, seven innovation challenges were announced at the twenty-second Conference of the Parties (COP22), which aim to accelerate RD&D in targeted energy technology areas. Canada is engaging with a range of stakeholders, including provincial and territorial governments, academia, and industry experts in order to advance the work in each area. Canada is also working with its provincial and territorial governments to advance shared priorities under the Canadian Energy Strategy. This includes pursuing joint actions on energy efficiency, working together to reduce diesel use in northern and remote communities, exploring collaboration on new and enhanced energy infrastructure, identifying pathways for enhanced collaboration on clean technology, and strengthening international cooperation. International Engagement For negotiations and forums under the UNFCCC, Canada recognizes the value of inclusivity and the importance of committing to the meaningful engagement of subnational governments, Indigenous Peoples, youth, and other non-party stakeholders. Canada s approach is for the federal government to leverage opportunities for on-going dialogue with these stakeholders and Indigenous Peoples to inform the development of Canada s position under the UNFCCC, including on the implementation of the Paris 2

3 Agreement. For example, the federal government invites representatives of Indigenous Peoples and non-party stakeholders to be a part of the Canadian delegation to meetings of the COP. The federal government also regularly engages subnational governments and other key stakeholders, in addition to National Indigenous Organizations, in the preparation of Canada s positioning for these meetings. Comments from Canadian provinces and territories are also sought on Canada s draft submissions to the UNFCCC and its subsidiary bodies. Canada s approach also includes informing and working with Indigenous Peoples and non-party stakeholders on how they can effectively engage and be recognized in discussions under the UNFCCC. This includes through existing commitments on platforms such as the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform and the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action Plan (see below). It also includes providing recognition of the actions of Indigenous Peoples and non-party stakeholders. For example, the policies and actions undertaken by subnational governments are reflected in Canada s Biennial Reports and National Communications. Canada also supports efforts by the UNFCCC Secretariat to create more opportunities for observers in the negotiations. An increase in participation of observer organizations reflects the increasing diversification of Indigenous Peoples and non-party stakeholders that have an active interest in matters under the UNFCCC. Complementing Canada s domestic approach, Canada supports this inclusive approach to engagement that contributes to enhanced transparency and builds the capacity of Indigenous and non-party actors in climate decision making. In addition, to further promote the knowledge transfer of Canadian expertise and leadership in clean energy technologies globally, Canada nominated four ambassadors under the Clean Energy Education and Empowerment (C3E) initiative under the Clean Energy Ministerial. C3E works to increase the participation of women in the clean energy field. Also, through its role of National Designated Entity under the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), the Government of Canada shares information with Canadian companies and associations about potential clean technology needs and collaboration opportunities with the CTCN on projects in developing countries. There are thirteen Canadian entities that are members of the CTCN network, many of which have held webinars to share information on their organizations and exchange best practices with an international audience. Furthermore, Canada recognizes the critical role of civil society and the private sector in aligning and mobilizing investments to support climate action in developing countries. Canada is delivering CAD $2.65 billion in climate finance to developing countries by for a wide range of programs and initiatives that help developing countries manage risks and build resilience to the impacts of climate change, deploy clean energy technology, and manage natural resources sustainably. The pledge is also being used to leverage additional investment from the Canadian private sector. In addition, the government of Quebec has also recently initiated CAD $18 million for a climate finance program with similar objectives of building on civil society and business partnerships with developing countries, facilitating technology transfers, and reinforcing capacity while supporting mitigation and adaptation initiatives. 3

4 II. Leveraging existing initiatives to advance effective Indigenous and non-party stakeholder engagement Overall, Canada supports maximizing existing opportunities under the UNFCCC, including for facilitating information sharing to enhance the effective engagement of Indigenous Peoples and non-party stakeholders. In addition, we are pleased that there has been greater recognition and formalizing of Indigenous and non-party actors contributions. Looking ahead, we should work to further leverage these opportunities. Key examples include: Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform Canada acknowledges and respects the rights of Indigenous Peoples, with robust, meaningful engagement, drawing on their Traditional Knowledge to addressing climate change. To this end, Canada supports the effective implementation of Decision 1/CP.21 Paragraph 135 that recognizes the need to strengthen linkages to indigenous knowledge, technologies, and practices by establishing a platform for the exchange of experiences and sharing of best practices on mitigation and adaptation in a holistic and integrated manner. In particular, we view the Platform as playing an important role in informing and enhancing global decision making by engaging Indigenous Peoples and in particular traditional knowledge holders through the facilitation of opportunities to build on their existing contributions, and leadership in taking actions to address climate change. Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action (Action Agenda) Canada sees the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action as playing a valuable role in encouraging and recognizing the ambitious initiatives and coalitions undertaken by non-party actors, which helps to strengthen the implementation of the Paris Agreement. This includes through the Non- State Actor Zone for Climate Action (NAZCA). Canada supports the Action Agenda as a key forum within the UNFCCC for non-party actors to collaborate on their climate actions with UNFCCC Parties. To this effect, Canada recommends that high-level Action Agenda events become recurrent at each COP as a mean to foster mobilization of non-party actors and to present existing and new solutions in transiting to a low-carbon economy. The Action Agenda has also been helpful to make connections between the efforts of non-parties and Parties Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Furthermore, the Action Agenda can highlight and promote synergies with other complementary climate initiatives such as the Climate and Clean Air Coalition and the Global Methane Initiative, therefore reducing the chances of duplicating engagement opportunities under the UNFCCC. Canada also supports the Action Agenda to use existing forums of multi-stakeholder engagement within the UNFCCC to promote non-party climate actions and solutions, and provide a space for collaboration. The high-level champions for the Global Climate Action Agenda have identified the technical examination processes (TEPs) and the technical expert meetings (TEMs) on mitigation and adaptation as ideal venues for these exchanges to take place. The champions will make recommendations to the Secretariat on the annual themes for the TEPs and TEMs in order to align them with specific policy options and barriers identified by the Action Agenda. Canada supports improving the alignment of TEPs and TEMs with policy options and having a more narrow focus that will support more in-depth technical discussions. It also supports the participation of non-party stakeholders to theses TEMs and TEPs when their expertise is relevant to the discussions. 4

5 2050 Pathways Platform Canada supports and participates in the Party/non-Party actor collaboration initiative that was established at COP22: the 2050 Pathways Platform to support government and industry leaders to develop scenarios on how to drastically cut their emissions over the next 30 years. The Platform will provide a space to exchange lessons learned and share best practices in designing 2050 pathways and discuss their results. Canada is a member of the Platform, with involvement at both the federal and subnational level, as well as by the Canadian private sector. In Conclusion Canada recognizes that the accountability for our climate change commitments is shared between Parties and non-party stakeholders and that decisions and policies must be developed and implemented by a wide-cross section of society so that they are sustainable over the long-term. Canada encourages other Parties to work closely with Indigenous Peoples and non-party stakeholders, such as subnational governments, local communities, civil society, the private sector, financial institutions, cities, and other subnational authorities, by engaging them to participate in their own domestic climate change processes. From a UNFCCC perspective, the importance of this domestic engagement reflects that the scaling-up of ambition to address climate change is driven by the unique circumstances of each country for meeting collective global goals, such as in the Paris Agreement. Canada looks forward to continuing these discussions with the SBI co-chairs, Parties, and non-party stakeholders at the workshop in Bonn (May 2017). 5