MEDIA ADVISORY: Peru to Highlight Five Emblematic Climate

Change Issues of COP 20

Panelists to Discuss Country Progress on Energy, Forests, Mountains and
Water, Oceans and Sustainable Cities at December 2 Press Conference
WHAT: Peru has defined five emblematic climate change issues on which it will show progress
made and submit proposals during COP 20: Energy, Forests, Mountains and Water, Oceans and
Sustainable Cities. Peru is bringing these emblematic issues to life with corresponding thematic
pavilions at its recently opened Voices for Climate venue (@ Jockey Club del Peru) Voices for
Climate is an initiative aimed at making citizens aware of climate change through specialized
information presented in a creative and playful way.
For its first scheduled press conference as host country, Peruvian experts will give an overview of
each of the five emblematic issues and then answer questions.
WHO: Each speaker will give 2-3 minute remarks on their respective emblematic issue, followed
by Q&A.

Energy: Pedro Gamio, Director of Renewable Energy, Ministry of Energy and Mines
Forests: Gustavo Suarez de Freitas, Coordinator of the National Forest Conservation
Program for Climate Change Mitigation
Mountains and Water: Gonzalo Llosa, Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Strategic
Development of Natural Resources, Ministry of the Environment
Oceans: Hctor Soldi, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment for Oceans at COP20
Sustainable Cities: Alberto Barandiarn, Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Strategic
Development of Natural Resources, Ministry of the Environment

WHERE: Press Room Conference 1

WHEN: Tuesday, December 2, 2014, 12:30
MEDIA CONTACT: Julio Valeriano, prensacop20@minam.gob.pe

About the Five Emblematic Issues

Energy
The need to speed up the adoption of renewable energy (hydropower, wind, solar
photovoltaic, geothermal and solar-thermal energy) is critical because the burning of fossil
fuels is responsible for 57 percent of GHGs, which causes climate change
Industrialized countries are undergoing transformation of their energy matrixes and
rapidly adding renewable energy sources to ensure their future and strengthen their
energy independence
At the same time, international programs that transfer technology and financial resources
are being developed to promote the adoption of new technologies worldwide. These
programs enable developing countries to embrace cleaner technologies and reduce
poverty rates more efficiently and sustainably than developed countries have done in the
past.
Peru is embracing the possibility to diversify its energy matrix by using more clean
energies (particularly in the areas of Hydropower and Wind Energy) and decoupling
economic growth from higher greenhouse gas emissions

Forests
Forest conservation and sustainable use are essential to mitigate climate change and
adapt to its effects
Forests make up about 60 percent of the Peruvian territory and are among the most
biodiverse forests on the planet
Forests are a source of life for many native populations and animal and plant species
Forests also provide wood and various other products, contribute to the regulation of
temperature and the water cycles, soil conservation, and critical reserves of flora and
fauna diversity
Globally, between 18 and 20 percent of GHGs emitted are due to logging and burning of
forests. In the case of Peru, this figure reaches 40 percent, although the increase in
emissions from other sectors tends to decrease its relative significance.
Mountains and Water
Mountains provide fresh water to 50 percent of the worlds population and account for 27
percent of the earths surface
The effects of climate change on mountains reduce water supplies in dry periods and
increase the risk of landslides caused by the melting of glaciers
Perus mountain range covers 30 percent of the country, from the north of Piura to the
south of Puno

Oceans
Oceans play a critical role in climate regulation and the buffering of climate change at a
global level
With 2080 km of coastline, Peruvian communities have benefited from marine resources
since ancient times
Peru is part of the Humboldt Current marine ecosystem, the most productive ecosystem in
the world, but also the most vulnerable to climate change
Sustainable Cities
Over half of the worlds population lives in urban areas and cities consume two-thirds of
the worlds energy
Cities are responsible for 70 percent of global GHG emissions, which increase global
temperatures that lead to climate change
The climate change effects generated by GHG emissions endanger cities and their
population
In Peru, the impact of climate change is displayed most alarmingly felt in the retreat of
glaciers, which affects the provision of our water reserves, and is poised to impact the
frequency and intensity of El Nino Southern Oscillation, which in turn leads to droughts,
floods, landslides, cold fronts, among other extreme climate events
Thus, cities are the main sources of GHG emissions responsible for climate change. The
logistical complexity of feeding, transporting and providing goods and services for
thousands or milions of people share the same space poses a huge challenge for local
management.
In the last 50 years, the number of inhabitants of Peruvian cities has doubled which
generates a higher demand of resources, goods and services, and makes local
management more complex in social, economic and environmental terms.
Cities are partly responsible for the generation of GHG emissions in the country, and at the
same time they will be most affected by extreme climate events

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