C20 Summit held in Bogazici University, Istanbul on September 15-16 brought together participants from 52 countries. The policy recommendations developed by working groups and later refined by national and international consultations, are finalised at the Summit and published as \u2018Civil Society has a Say\u2019 under the summit communique.<\/p>\n
The primary message for Civil Society Members to G20 leaders meeting in November is that they should include all<\/em> concerns facing our world. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The rationale is to combat all inequalities and discrimination based on inter alia gender, socio-economic class, ethnic identity that was faced by millions of people of today. The increasing signs of social, economic, environmental and political disruption send an urgent signal for world leaders for immediate sustainable development actions.<\/p>\n Priority Issues identified through an online participatory consultation process have been:<\/p>\n All priority areas fell under sustainability in general, as might be expected during a year of \u2018Sustainable Development\u2019 (*), as we are waiting for a sign off of United Nation Members on Sustainable Development Goals later this week. (**)<\/p>\n We have previously discussed importance of inclusive growth among other priorities of Turkey Presidency, as Sustineo Istanbul (***)\u00a0:<\/p>\n \u2018Of all the priorities of Turkey Presidency, inclusiveness deserves attention. It is a broad concept and it needs to be defined well: Given thematic priorities of Turkey (SME and LDCs), it might as well mean focusing on parts of domestic or global economy, which have been traditionally underserved and ignored; and yet have the potential to overcome secure stagnation problem.\u2019<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Further we\u2019ve had doubts that climate change issues might not high on the agenda of Turkey Presidency:<\/p>\n \u2018Can G20 Presidency under Turkey support the 2015 sustainable development agenda as much as it deserves? Even though climate change is not high on the agenda of Turkey Presidency, bringing inclusiveness through SMEs and LDCs into the G20 agenda is definitely encouraging.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n To follow on our concerns, we would like to focus on the content and outcome of the \u2018Sustainability: Climate Change and Energy\u2019 pillar of C20.<\/p>\n Sustainability: Climate Change and Energy (****)<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Based on the recommendations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change\u2019s (IPCC) 5th Assessment Report (*****) on keeping the global warming at 2\u2070C so as limiting the catastrophic impacts of climate change, the Summit has focused on renewable energy and energy efficiency recommendations.<\/p>\n The timing of G20 Summit is mile stoned to be on a critical date (November 15-16) as it will follow adoption of Sustainable Development Goals at UN headquarters in New York with more than 150 world leaders attending the \u00a0UN Sustainable Development Summit from September 25-27 <\/strong>and just before COP21, <\/strong>also known as the 2015 Paris Climate Conference on from November 30 to December 11<\/strong> ,\u00a0which ,for the first time in over 20 years of UN negotiations, will aim to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate, of keeping global warming below 2\u00b0C.<\/p>\n G20 countries account for 76% of global greenhouse gas emissions; therefore, any binding commitment is not only a major step for decarbonisation in itself but also an intent around providing finance and technology for the rest of the world.<\/p>\n What are the challenges and recommendations \/ opportunities?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Challenge:<\/em> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fossil fuel exploration exploration receives about $88 billion per year in public funding from G20 countries. This reverse subsidy is around $1,000 per citizen.<\/p>\n It is recommended that \u2018shifting these subsidies to renewable energy, energy conservation and pro-poor investments will have multiple benefits for climate, health and finance\u2019. New and innovative ways to finance the transition will be addressed and Official Development Aid (ODA) will be kept for its intended purpose.<\/p>\n Challenge: <\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Privatisation of mega-projects might prove unsustainable where focus is on economic gains only and environmental and social good are underestimated.<\/p>\n Opportunity is in renewable energy and energy efficiency\u2019s economic as well as social and environmental benefits. Investment in energy efficiency will bring more jobs and integrate billions to access to modern energy services. Energy efficiency will lead to improved productivity and competitiveness.<\/p>\n Therefore\u00a0there should be a binding commitment for G20 leaders to make energy renewable and efficient by;<\/p>\n <\/p>\n C20 concludes with saying that civil society is keen to continue dialogue with G20 leaders for a shared human development solution, which is united and benefits are enjoyed by all.<\/p>\n Given the diverse representation from civil society and the extent of the recommendations, we are hoping that they get high on G20 agenda.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Notes from the C20 Summit:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n (*) \u2018Year of Sustainable Development\u2019 was the title of J.D. Sachs article appeared in Project Syndicate on December 2014<\/p>\n (**)The\u00a0Sustainable Development Goals<\/strong>\u00a0(SDGs<\/strong>) are a proposed set of targets relating to future\u00a0international development<\/a>. They are to replace the Millennium\u00a0once those expire at the end of 2015. The SDGs were first formally discussed at the\u00a0United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development<\/a>\u00a0held in\u00a0Rio de Janeiro<\/a>\u00a0in June 2012 (Rio+20). The Intergovernmental Negotiations on the Post 2015 Development Agenda (IGN) began in January 2015 and ended in August 2015. Following the negotiations, a final document was prepared for adoption in the UN Sustainable Development Summit September 25th-27th, 2015 in New York, USA.\u00a0The title of the agenda is\u00a0Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development<\/em> https:\/\/sustainabledevelopment.un.org\/post2015\/transformingourworld<\/a><\/p>\n (***)Turkey G20 Presidency at A \u2018Year of Sustainable Development\u2019, Pelin Yenig\u00fcn-Dilek, Sustineo Istanbul, March 2015,<\/p>\n\n
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