This project aimed to provide support to the Republic of Nauru, as Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), in the form of funding for the following key positions:

• Lead UNFCCC negotiator
• Deputy UNFCCC Negotiator for Alliance of Small Island States
• Legal Adviser (Climate Change) to the Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States

The project aimed to assist the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to take a more active and influential role in climate negotiations, and to provide them with a fair and equitable climate deal.

December 2012:  Leading up to the Republic of Nauru’s first COP as Chair of AOSIS in Doha, Nauru took the opportunity to coordinate work and meetings to strengthen relationships between AOSIS members and to help build capacity within the membership.  AOSIS members represent countries that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, but often lack the resources and capacity to participate effectively within international climate negotiations.

Throughout the year, Nauru as Chair of AOSIS convened an AOSIS Leader’s meeting in September demonstrating high-level commitment by members with regard to climate issues, as well as providing a strong mandate for AOSIS delegations going into Doha.  AOSIS also made submissions to the UNFCCC throughout the year, and attended informal meetings.

In Doha, Nauru as AOSIS Chair, coordinated pre-COP AOSIS strategy meetings, a ministerial level AOSIS meeting, and daily coordination meetings during the negotiations.

AOSIS achieved several other significant milestones:

• Pre-2020 mitigation ambition Workplan: AOSIS’ proposal for pre-2020 mitigation ambition formed the basis of negotiations on Workstream 2 of the Ad hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform (AWG-ADP).  The decision captured many elements contained within the AOSIS workplan proposal, including high-level engagement, workshops, and participation and submissions by the private sector, intergovernmental organizations and civil society in helping to identify methods to increase mitigation ambition.

• Loss and Damage:  Agreement to establish institutional arrangements, such as an international mechanism at COP 19, to address loss and damage associated with the impacts of climate change in particularly vulnerable developing countries.  This was a significant step towards realizing a longstanding AOSIS priority.

AOSIS efforts on pre-2020 mitigation ambition and on loss and damage were spearheaded by Sai Navoti and Malia Talakai, with the generous support of CDKN.

CDKN funding: £330,000 (£130,000 / £200,000)

Project Manager: Kinga Lodge