THE FORGOTTEN CLIMATE SOLUTION: BAMBOO AT COP 24

The International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation (INBAR) will be at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP24 from 3 to 14 December, promoting the use of bamboo and rattan as existing solutions to climate change, environmental degradation and poverty. Natural climate solutions can deliver over 35% of cost-effective carbon dioxide mitigation needed by 2030, but they are a critically overlooked part of most climate change discussion.

Fast growing and quick to mature, bamboo can be used to make an increasing number of heavy-duty materials, such as pipes, scaffolding and housing. These products act as a sustainable, low-carbon alternative to timber, PVC, aluminium and concrete. Bamboo plants and products can also store more carbon than certain species of tree, and provide a year-round, climate-resilient form of income for millions of people around the world.

Earlier this year, the Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, Patricia Espinosa, spoke about the importance of bamboo for low-carbon development, saying that “Bamboo can make an important difference to the fight against climate change.” Because they are naturally occurring and used for a wide range of durable products, Espinosa said that “Nature-based solutions like bamboo do not just contribute to sustainable development; they also help build the kind of world we want.”

Join INBAR to find out more about the ‘forgotten climate solution’ at COP24. INBAR will be speaking in the following open sessions at COP24:

FEATURED EVENT – Bamboo and Rattan for Greening the Belt and Road

Organised by: INBAR and the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC)

When and where: Wednesday 12 December, 15:30-17:00, China Pavilion

This side event, co-organised by INBAR, will provide an opportunity to share successful experience and exchange thoughts on bamboo and rattan for green sustainable development. Invited participants include H.E. Xie Zhenhua, Special Representative for Climate Change of China; Jorge Chediek, Director of the UN Office for South-South Cooperation; Martin Frick, the UNFCCC’s Senior Director for Policy and Programme Coordination; high-level policymakers from Canada, China and Nepal; and representatives from the private sector. In a series of speeches and panel discussions, participants will discuss how to better contribute to greening the Belt and Road with bamboo and rattan.

Building Global Energy Interconnections to Accelerate Sustainable Development

Organised by: The Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO) and UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA)

When and where: Wednesday 12 December, 9:00-10:30, SDG Pavilion

INBAR Director General Hans Friederich will be speaking about how bamboo and rattan can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, as part of the new Global Energy Interconnection Action Plan recently released by GEIDCO.

High-level Forum on South-South Cooperation on Climate Change

Organised by: The UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) and the Chinese delegation to UNFCCC COP24

When and where: Wednesday 12 December, 14:00-15:10, China Pavilion

INBAR’s network of member states is a key example of South-South cooperation in action. INBAR will deliver remarks at the afternoon session, on the links between climate action and poverty eradication.

Advancing forest-based climate action

Organised by: the UN Forum on Forests

When and where: Thursday 13 December, 15:00-16:00, DESA Pavilion

INBAR will discuss the importance of bamboo to ecosystems, forest management and climate change, as part of a discussion on advancing forest-based climate action.

 

For more information, or for media interviews in connection to the event, please contact:

Charlotte King, Communications and Press Specialist, INBAR, Tel: +447889006533, Email: cking@inbar.int – Charlotte is also available onsite in Katowice.