UN Climate Change Conference: Week Two Begins!

The UN Conference moves into its second week today and the activity level inside the UN building and outside in Parallel Events at the “World of Solutions” has intensified considerably.  Total participation is still not final but registration stands at: 182 countries; 2,785 country delegates; 5,237 non-governmental delegates; Total: 9,174, not including media.

Delegates are working in plenary, in contact and informal groups and through informal meetings.  Full coverage of the Conference can be found through:  http://www.iisd.ca/climate/cop11/enbots/.  

Thousands of delegates and the general public are also taking part in the Parallel Events.  Full details are available on-line through montreal2005.gc.ca.  Highlights for the coming week include:

• 4^th Municipal Leaders’ Summiton Climate Change begins Monday and ends on Wednesday.  Close to 300 municipal leaders and others have been invited to highlight local initiatives to address climate change and sustainable communities.   
  
  
• Climate Leaders’ Summit:  Approximately 200 corporate leaders, provinces and U.S. state governors have been invited to a two-day, by- invitation only event to discuss strategies for reducing emissions.  It too opens Monday and ends Wednesday.  
  
  
• Arctic Day is Tuesday’s theme, with exhibits in the Canada Pavilion and non-governmental organization activities at the “Climate Village in Action”.  A day-long Conference will focus on the impacts of climate change in Canada’s vulnerable North and adaptation strategies and will feature traditional northern culture. 
  
  
• Tour of Amundsen:  The Canadian Coast Guard research vessel is dedicated to Arctic research and raising awareness of Arctic science.  It will be docked at the Old Port of Montreal and tours are available from December 6-8.
  
  
• Carbon Finance exhibits, a day-long Conference and a projects matching Forum will take place from Monday till Wednesday. 
  
  
• One-Tonne Challenge:  Delegates will be able to take the “Challenge” to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their daily lives in the Canada Pavilion.  Booths will also feature action in the private, public and non-governmental sectors.