Talanoa Dialogue UNFCCC: Background, Objectives, Stakeholders and More!

The Talanoa Dialogue was a process that aimed to help countries implement and enhance their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) by 2020. It aimed to foster stability and inclusiveness in the dialogue by creating a safer space that embraces mutual respect for a platform for decision-making for a better future.

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What is the Talanoa Dialogue?

The Talanoa Dialogue is a process of inclusive, participatory, and transparent dialogue. It was designed to help countries implement and enhance their Nationally Determined Contributions by 2020. It was based on the traditional Pacific concept of talanoa, which is a process of storytelling, sharing, and learning.

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Background of the Talanoa Dialogue

• The Paris Agreement, which was approved in 2015, called for progress evaluations, sometimes also known as “stock takes,” which take place every five years to enable concerned parties to monitor the progress in relation to Cop 21’s long-term objective and aid them in creating more ambitious NDCs in future.
• The parties agreed that it was important to start this project before 2020, when the Paris Agreement is anticipated to enter into force.
• The president of COP 22 and the incoming president of COP 23, thus, were mandated to undertake an inclusive and transparent consultation with the parties on the organization of the 2018 facilitative dialogue.
• The presidencies of COP 22 and COP 23, therefore, presented the outcome of their consultations on the dialogue and, on this basis, made available the approach of the dialogue to all Parties.
• The COP welcomed the design of the 2018 facilitative dialogue, which was to be known as the Talanoa Dialogue.
• The Talanoa Dialogue was finally launched at COP 23 under the Presidency of the Republic of Fiji.

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Purpose of the Talanoa Dialogue

The purpose of the Talanoa Dialogue is to:

• Take stock of collective progress towards the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement. This includes assessing the collective impact of countries' Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). It also includes the identification of areas where further action is needed.
• The Talanoa Dialogue is designed to help countries raise their ambition in terms of climate action. This is both in their NDCs and in other areas.
• The Talanoa Dialogue is a process that is open to all stakeholders. This includes governments, businesses, civil society, and indigenous peoples. It is designed to create a safe space for participants to share their stories, learn from each other, and develop solutions together.

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Objectives of the Talanoa Dialogue

The Talanoa Dialogue UNFCCC is broadly divided into two objectives.

• Informing the next round of nationally determined contributions. Currently, NDCs set the world on course for 3 or 4 degrees Celsius warming by the end of the century, which is dangerously far from the Paris targets.
• To keep track record of the development toward COP 21’s target of keeping global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius and, if possible, below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

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Major Stakeholders of the Talanoa Dialogue UNFCCC

The stakeholders are broadly classified into party and non-party stakeholders, with the latter containing expert institutions as well.

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Outcomes of the Talanoa Dialogue

• This dialogue gave a clear message about the need for action to maintain the 1.5°C and well-below 2°C thresholds of the Paris Agreement within reach.
• Several nations made a commitment to increase their NDCs by 2020.
• Many larger polluters also joined in because of the urgency of the climate situation. The stakeholders consisted of multi-dimensional parties and non-parties, which were private ones to the governments.
• The concepts and insights presented in the Talanoa dialogue UNFCCC submission assisted governments and several other interested parties in making more sensible and equitable climate policy decisions.
• The Talanoa dialogue UNFCCC issued a call for action in the interests of inter-generational climate justice.

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Conclusion

The Talanoa Dialogue UNFCCC was quite an important event to send clear-looking signals to the entire world and aimed to be inclusive due to the consensus-building nature of the debate. The outcome of this dialogue captured the political momentum and helped concerned parties inform the preparation of nationally determined contributions, which will be beneficial for a better future for everyone.

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UPSC Previous Year Questions

1. ‘Climate change’ is a global problem. How will India be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India are affected by climate change? (UPSC CSE Mains 2017)
2. 2. Define the concept of the carrying capacity of an ecosystem as relevant to an environment. Explain how understanding this concept is vital while planning for the sustainable development of a region. (UPSC CSE Mains 2019)
3. 3. Clean energy is the order of the day.’ Describe briefly India’s changing policy towards climate change in various international fora in the context of geopolitics. (UPSC CSE Mains 2022)