The Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP25) will be held from 2 to 12 December in Madrid. The Global Plattform for the Right to the City (GPR2C) will participate in this summit to bring the voice of civil society and the importance of the realization of human rights related to habitat – the right to land, housing and the right to the city – both at the official event and in alternative forums.
From Santiago de Chile to Madrid
Chilean President Sebastián Piñera unilaterally cancels COP25 without consulting civil society
After the repression suffered by Chilean citizens in recent weeks, the Chilean president cancels COP25 and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) in an attempt to avoid international attention. Many Chilean civil society organizations had expressed their willingness that these international events serve as an opportunity to increase pressure on the Chilean government in the face of rights violations.
Spain’s acting president, Pedro Sánchez, offers to host the COP25 in Madrid, allowing Piñera to divert attention from the demands of Chilean civil society.
GPR2C at the Climate Summit
The GPR2C joins the solidarity with the Chilean society and with the organizations that have been organizing alternative meetings for months to put climate justice and the voice of Latin America at the center. We will support and call to continue with the Peoples’ Summit and the Social Summit for Climate Action in Chile and in Madrid.
How can you join us?
Tackling climate change through Human Rights related to Habitat and the Right to the City
We, social movements, civil society and local governments organizations join forces to persuade COP25 delegates to finally reach and enforce their commitments to tackle the causes and consequences of climate change, by financing and implementing policies that put people at the centre and embrace Human Rights related to Habitat and the Right to the City, striving for a zero emission future and without any forced evictions from right now. We are committed to implement this alternative approach resisting the dominant neo-liberal model.
What are the connections between the Right to the City and the global agendas to fight climate change?
The GPR2C Agenda at COP 25
Climate Responsive and Community-based Building and Construction
02 Dec. 2019, 15:30-17:00, German Pavilion
The buildings and construction sector accounts for 39% of global energy-related CO2 emissions. Additional infrastructure that enables people to live in dignity is urgently needed. But it can no longer be built with the conventional materials such as steel and cement that the industrialized countries have traditionally used.
Considering global urbanization dynamics, the event aims to discuss and develop participatory low-emission and resilient alternatives for the building and construction sector with a special focus on local knowledge, the use of local materials and most vulnerable population groups.
Speakers:
- Jacqueline Martínez, FUNDASAL (El Salvador),
- Julieta Perucca, Office of the Special Rapporteur for the Right to Adequate Housing,
- Beatriz Sedín, n’UNDO
- Martin Kipping, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
- Clara-Luisa Weichelt, MISEREOR;
- Alvaro Puertas, Habitat International Coalition (HIC) / Global Platform for the Right to the City
Photo: Cooperación Comunitaria
Human settlements and climate change: Human rights-based approach
04 Dec 2019 – 15:00-16:30, Room 3
Climate change is increasing human rights violations of the most disadvantaged communities in human settlements. Based on HR and the concept of “right to the city”, communities, CSOs and local governments will present solutions for mitigation and adaptation in housing, water and energy supply.
Speakers:
- Alvaro Puertas, Habitat International Coalition (HIC) / Global Platform for the Right to the City
- Silvia Emanuelli, HIC-AL
- Jacqueline Martínez, FUNDASAL (El Salvador),
- Leo Heller, Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Julieta Perucca, Office of the Special Rapporteur for the Right to Adequate Housing,
- MISEREOR;
- DESCO (Peru), TBC
Photo: Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
……………………………………… MORE EVENTS TO COME ……………………………….
The final programme of events is still being consolidated.
As we get more information on the final schedule and on the events we will be attending and co-organizing, we will update this page.
What are the alternative forums led by the civil society?
SANTIAGO DE CHILE
MADRID
Call to participate in the Social Summit for Climate
The Climate Summit will have its “counter-summit” to give a “combative and class” response to the climate crisis. Numerous organizations and collectives are working against the clock to generate alternative spaces to the COP and maintain the space of civil society in Chile and Madrid.
On December 6 and 12, the ‘Social Summit for Climate’ or ‘Counter-summit’ will be held while COP25 takes place in Madrid.
More information https://cumbresocialclima.net
Beyond the event
In addition to the activities related to the official event and the counter-summits, from the GPR2C we are preparing a large online mobilization focused on a call to action in the face of the climate emergency, underlining the potential for change and solutions that can be brought from the right to the city.
In addition to disseminating the declaration, materials and publications on the subject and information on initiatives of our membership, we will take this opportunity to publicize the results of the “Artistic Challenge Right to the City x Youth” which has brought together artistic expressions of young Latin Americans who put the right to the city at the center of the fight against climate change!
Logistics Information
LOCATION
IFEMA – Feria de Madrid in Madrid -Av. del Partenón, Nº 5, 28042 Madrid
REGISTRATION AND ACREDITATION
Registration of parallel events in the green zone open until 21 November:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1QWE62Wfz-bsqT3dmeEvIkRVKrDp62fWc83Uww_x7zG_6SQ/viewform
Registration during the summit: from Friday 29 November to Friday 13 December, 08:00 – 19:00 hrs
The conference venue, including registration, will be closed on Sunday 8 December.
