#bonn2016

We are writing to you as young people concerned about our futures. As you are aware, over the next two weeks the first climate talks since the COP-21 Paris Agreement take place. The talks in Bonn this week and next are about laying the foundations for the implementation of the Paris Agreement, and are critical in ensuring that the 1.5 degree target is substantively enacted through the closing of the emissions gap.

There is therefore a substantial amount of work to do and if there ever was time for leaders to act, it is now. The intended nationally determined contributions (INDC) submitted by the EU fall far short of the ambition that is required for the long term goal of the Paris Agreement to be realised at 2 degrees, let alone 1.5 degrees. It is thus fundamental that the UK and EU ratchets up the ambition of its pledge and commits to strong national level climate action.

Despite strong intentions put forward internationally, the UK has failed to translate what has been said on the global stage into progressive concrete climate actions domestically. The cuts of 65% in solar subsidies and heavy cuts in wind energy subsidies are indicative of the regressive actions and severe cognitive dissonance being shown by the UK, despite the strong potential of renewable energy in the UK.* Moreover, the favoring of  shale and imported gas over renewable energy is a clear betrayal of the commitments made by the UK to the World when it signed the Paris Agreement in December.

As youth people present at the talks with the UK Youth Climate Coalition (UKYCC), we feel you should know what is happening here in Bonn and we will therefore provide you with updates on key points throughout the talks from a youth perspective. We are tracking negotiations on the Ad Hoc working group on the Paris Agreement and following the progress of the Warsaw International Mechanism, to collectively push for a more just and fairer agreement. Now you know what we are doing, we would like to know what you are doing.

UKYCC* http://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2015/dec/17/uk-cuts-renewable-energy-make-a-mockery-of-its-pledge-paris-climate-talks