Clarification of the UNOC 3 Green Zone “Pavilion de la Cryosphère” as Unassociated with ICCI and COP Cryosphere Pavilions

Dear Friends of the Cryosphere Pavilion and Cryosphere Capsule Readers,

Due to ongoing confusion and to avoid misrepresentation, ICCI and its partners wish to clarify that the Albedo Foundation’s Pavilion de la Cryosphère, located in the Green Zone at the third United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC 3) which began in Nice today, has no association with ICCI. This Pavilion has been representing itself in English as “the Cryosphere Pavilion,” however without ICCI’s consent and against multiple requests to use an alternate name.

This is because, unlike the Cryosphere Pavilion model of joint funding and cooperation among polar, mountain, academic, multilateral and government institutions that has hallmarked the five Cryosphere Pavilions, the Pavilion de la Cryosphère is solely funded and organized by just one entity, the Albédo Foundation (Fondation Albédo Pour la Cryosphère). In addition to supporting French polar research, Albédo on multiple occasions has publicly stated its support for various geo-engineering schemes, in particular injection of sulfate pollution into the atmosphere to block sunlight, which would have multiple well-documented negative impacts on Earth’s biosphere, regional precipitation patterns and not least its oceans through enhanced acidification.

While ICCI has tried to avoid a public airing of this issue, due to continuing questions from UNOC 3 participants as the Conference began today, June 9, we now believe it necessary to issue this correction. To avoid further confusion, we would recommend referring to this UNOC 3 “Green Zone” Pavilion by its official name, Pavillon de la Cryosphère.

We look forward to COP30’s Cryosphere Pavilion, which will build on the reputation and experience of the five official Cryosphere Pavilions that have taken place at UNFCCC COPs 25-29, beginning in 2019; and as a continuing joint effort by a wide variety of academic institutions, civil society and governments.

Best regards!
The COP30 Cryosphere Pavilion Team
cop30cryopav@iccinet.org