A compromise proposal to be presented by the Danish presidency Wednesday was held up as the negotiating process, according to UN climate chief Yvo de Boer, was subject to an “unexpected stop”.
Michael von Bülow 16/12/2009 23:55
De Boer: “Unexpected stop” in negotiations
“A number of unsolved issues” are left for world leaders to resolve during the next two days, said the UNFCCC Executive Secretary, after observers of the UN climate conference had spent Wednesday afternoon waiting for breaking news on the climate talks.
Marianne Bom 16/12/2009 20:10
The negotiating process at the UN climate conference in Copenhagen was subject to an “unexpected stop” on Wednesday, according to Yvo de Boer, the UN's top climate official.
“The cable car has made an unexpected stop,” he said at a press briefing Wednesday evening, referring to a statement he made on Monday. By then the conference was about half way up the mountain, everybody was queuing up for the cable car, and “the rest of the ride is going to be fast, smooth and relaxing”.
The unexpected stop happened – according to several news media – as delegates needed time to discuss the basis of the further talks.
It was expected all Wednesday that the Danish conference presidency would present a text designed to establish consensus. However, on Wednesday evening Yvo de Boer said he did not know if the Danish text had actually been tabled.
“I don’t know if the Danish text is out,” he said, mentioning that to judge from what had been said in the plenary session more than one text was going to form the basis of negotiations.
The Danish Prime Minister and President of the conference, Lars Løkke Rasmussen was on Wednesday consulting all groups of countries on the process, de Boer said. He expected the cable car “to continue within a few hours”.
“It is still possible to reach a real success,” Yvo de Boer said, but there are “a number of unsolved issues” left for world leaders to resolve at their summit on Thursday and Friday.
“The next 24 hours are absolutely crucial,” Yvo de Boer said.
“The cable car has made an unexpected stop,” he said at a press briefing Wednesday evening, referring to a statement he made on Monday. By then the conference was about half way up the mountain, everybody was queuing up for the cable car, and “the rest of the ride is going to be fast, smooth and relaxing”.
The unexpected stop happened – according to several news media – as delegates needed time to discuss the basis of the further talks.
It was expected all Wednesday that the Danish conference presidency would present a text designed to establish consensus. However, on Wednesday evening Yvo de Boer said he did not know if the Danish text had actually been tabled.
“I don’t know if the Danish text is out,” he said, mentioning that to judge from what had been said in the plenary session more than one text was going to form the basis of negotiations.
The Danish Prime Minister and President of the conference, Lars Løkke Rasmussen was on Wednesday consulting all groups of countries on the process, de Boer said. He expected the cable car “to continue within a few hours”.
“It is still possible to reach a real success,” Yvo de Boer said, but there are “a number of unsolved issues” left for world leaders to resolve at their summit on Thursday and Friday.
“The next 24 hours are absolutely crucial,” Yvo de Boer said.
New compromise proposal said to be on its way
Danish PM takes over the COP15 presidency, he will present a compromise on Wednesday afternoon, a Danish newspaper reports.
Rie Jerichow 16/12/2009 13:50
Wednesday afternoon, the Danish Presidency will present a compromise proposal at the climate negotiations in Copenhagen. The proposal seeks to build bridges between the many interests at the summit, Danish daily Berlingske Tidende reports.
The proposal, keeping elements of the Kyoto Protocol structure, is said to form the basis for further negotiations which are now entering into a crucial final phase.
119 heads of state and governments are heading towards Denmark to decide on a future climate agreement. As a consequence of the unprecedented number of world leaders, Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen has officially taken over the presidency of the UN Climate Change Conference COP15 from Connie Hedegaard, who has been appointed special representative. Thus, she will continue conducting informal consultations to the Copenhagen Outcome.
"With so many Heads of State and Governments arriving to give their statements, it is appropriate that the Danish Prime Minister presides. Negotiations and consultations will be conducted on all levels. Who would have believed that in Bali two years ago? Leaders work, ministers work, and negotiators work to reach a global agreement. Let’s get it done," Connie Hedegaard says in a press release.
The proposal, keeping elements of the Kyoto Protocol structure, is said to form the basis for further negotiations which are now entering into a crucial final phase.
119 heads of state and governments are heading towards Denmark to decide on a future climate agreement. As a consequence of the unprecedented number of world leaders, Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen has officially taken over the presidency of the UN Climate Change Conference COP15 from Connie Hedegaard, who has been appointed special representative. Thus, she will continue conducting informal consultations to the Copenhagen Outcome.
"With so many Heads of State and Governments arriving to give their statements, it is appropriate that the Danish Prime Minister presides. Negotiations and consultations will be conducted on all levels. Who would have believed that in Bali two years ago? Leaders work, ministers work, and negotiators work to reach a global agreement. Let’s get it done," Connie Hedegaard says in a press release.
Climate talks deadlocked as clashes erupt outside
Danish police fired pepper spray outside the UN climate conference on Wednesday, as disputes inside left major issues unresolved just two days before world leaders hope to sign a historic agreement to fight global warming.
AP 16/12/2009 13:45
Hundreds of protesters were trying to disrupt the 193-nation conference, the latest action in days of demonstrations to demand "climate justice" — firm action to combat global warming. Police said 230 protesters were detained.
Inside the cavernous Bella Center convention hall, negotiators dealing with core issues debated until just before dawn without setting new goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions or for financing poorer countries' efforts to cope with coming climate change, key elements of any deal.
"I regret to report we have been unable to reach agreement," John Ashe of Antigua, chairman of one negotiating group, reported to the full 193-nation conference later Wednesday morning.
In those overnight talks, the American delegation apparently objected to a proposed text it felt might bind the United States prematurely to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, before the US Congress acts on the required legislation. US envoys insisted, for example, on replacing the word "shall" with the conditional "should."
Hundreds of protesters marched on the suburban Bella Center, where lines of Danish riot police waited in protective cordons. Some demonstrators said they wanted to take over the global conference and turn it into a "people's assembly," and as they approached police lines they were hit with pepper spray.
After nine days of largely unproductive talks, the lower-level delegates were wrapping up the first phase of the two-week conference and handing off the disputes to environment ministers in a critical second phase.
The lack of progress disheartened many, including small island states threatened by the rising seas of global warming.
"We are extremely disappointed," Ian Fry of the tiny Pacific nation of Tuvalu declared on the conference floor. "I have the feeling of dread we are on the Titanic and sinking fast. It's time to launch the lifeboats."
Others were far from abandoning ship. "Obviously there are things we are concerned about, but that is what we have to discuss," Sergio Barbosa Serra, Brazil's climate ambassador, told The Associated Press. "I would like to think we can get a deal, a good and fair deal."
Africa shows a willingness to negotiate
African Union climate negotiator Meles Zenawi has scaled back the demands for climate finance from rich countries, signaling thaw under way in the deadlocked UN negotiations.
Rie Jerichow 16/12/2009 16:20
Earlier this week, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown met with Ethiopia's Prime Minister and African Union climate negotiator Meles Zenawi. On Wednesday Brown said that Zenawi would soon come up with a proposal that could be an important step forward. So he did.
Meles Zenawi has announced that he supports 100 billion US dollars annual funds by 2020 from rich countries to help the poor world fight and adapt to climate changes. The EU has estimated that the developing countries will need 150 billion dollars.
"On long-term financing, I propose funding for adaptation and mitigation (emissions curbs) should start by 2013, to reach up to 50 billion dollars per annum by 2015 and 100 billion dollars per annum by 2020," he said on behalf of the African group, according to Reuters.
"No less than 50 percent should be allocated to adaptation to vulnerable and poor countries and regions such as African and small islands states," Meles Zenawi added.
Meles Zenawi hinted that Africa would not insist on public money. In his proposal, funding would be financed by creative financing mechanisms including carbon taxes and sales of emissions rights, Reuters reports.
"I know my proposal today will disappoint some Africans. My proposal scales back our expectation with respect to the level of funding in return for more reliable funding," the African Union climate negotiator said.
Meles Zenawi has announced that he supports 100 billion US dollars annual funds by 2020 from rich countries to help the poor world fight and adapt to climate changes. The EU has estimated that the developing countries will need 150 billion dollars.
"On long-term financing, I propose funding for adaptation and mitigation (emissions curbs) should start by 2013, to reach up to 50 billion dollars per annum by 2015 and 100 billion dollars per annum by 2020," he said on behalf of the African group, according to Reuters.
"No less than 50 percent should be allocated to adaptation to vulnerable and poor countries and regions such as African and small islands states," Meles Zenawi added.
Meles Zenawi hinted that Africa would not insist on public money. In his proposal, funding would be financed by creative financing mechanisms including carbon taxes and sales of emissions rights, Reuters reports.
"I know my proposal today will disappoint some Africans. My proposal scales back our expectation with respect to the level of funding in return for more reliable funding," the African Union climate negotiator said.
Countries pledge billions to protect rainforests
The US, Australia, France, Japan, Norway and Britain will make 3.5 billion US dollars available for developing countries that produce ambitious plans to slow and eventually reverse deforestation.
AP/Michael von Bülow 16/12/2009 20:15
US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the United States and five other countries have pledged 3.5 billion US dollars over the next three years to a program aimed at protecting rainforests.
The other countries are Australia, France, Japan, Norway and Britain. The US portion is one billion dollars.
Vilsack says the money will be available for developing countries that produce ambitious plans to slow and eventually reverse deforestation.
The American plan was announced Wednesday at UN climate talks in Copenhagen, where 193 nations are trying to negotiate a new climate pact. Reversing deforestation is an important part of the talks because deforestation is estimated to account for about 20 percent of global greenhouse emissions.
The other countries are Australia, France, Japan, Norway and Britain. The US portion is one billion dollars.
Vilsack says the money will be available for developing countries that produce ambitious plans to slow and eventually reverse deforestation.
The American plan was announced Wednesday at UN climate talks in Copenhagen, where 193 nations are trying to negotiate a new climate pact. Reversing deforestation is an important part of the talks because deforestation is estimated to account for about 20 percent of global greenhouse emissions.
Japan: 15 billion dollars in climate aid
Japanese pledge outbids the EU's funding for short-term climate aid in developing countries.
Marianne Bom 16/12/2009 22:40
Japan pledges a total of 15 billion US dollars for climate aid for developing countries up to 2012, Japan's delegation announced at the UN climate conference late Wednesday. Of the 15 billion dollars, 11 billion dollars will be public money, according to a press release from the delegation.
The Japanese pledge is more generous than EU’s promise to fund 7.2 billion euro (9.39 billion dollars) for the same purposes over the next three years.
The Japanese funding is given on the condition that a successful political accord is achieved at the climate conference in Copenhagen.
“Upon the establishment of a new framework, Japan will with this assistance support a broad range of developing countries which are taking measures of mitigation, as well as those which are vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change,” the press release states.
The Japanese pledge is more generous than EU’s promise to fund 7.2 billion euro (9.39 billion dollars) for the same purposes over the next three years.
The Japanese funding is given on the condition that a successful political accord is achieved at the climate conference in Copenhagen.
“Upon the establishment of a new framework, Japan will with this assistance support a broad range of developing countries which are taking measures of mitigation, as well as those which are vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change,” the press release states.
Kerry: US to pass "major" climate legislation
A successful deal in Copenhagen will lead the way for climate legislation in the US Congress, says Senator John Kerry.
Marianne Bom 16/12/2009 21:50
The Chair of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, John Kerry, on Wednesday promised that the US Congress will pass a climate change bill in 2010 if the UN climate conference becomes a success.
"With a successful deal here in Copenhagen, next year, the US Congress - House and Senate - will pass legislation," Kerry said at a meeting in Copenhagen, quoted by the Guardian. "I will tell you right now, 100 percent, we are going to pass major climate and energy legislation that is going to have an impact on emissions."
John Kerry mentioned one key requirement that the talks had to meet in order to get US backing: China and other developing countries should meet the US demand for accountability on their emission cuts. This demand has so far been rejected by some larger developing countries.
"In the Senate and in America, the concerns that kept us out of Kyoto back in 1997 are still with us today, and we need to preempt them here in Copenhagen," Kerry said and continued:
"I don't offer these insights to defend inaction. I simply want to describe for you the reality of what it will take to get this done. Some of my colleagues in Washington - like some leaders elsewhere - remain reluctant to grapple with a climate crisis mostly measured in future dangers, when they're confronted every day with the present pain of hardworking people in a tough economic time,” he was quoted as saying by CQ Politics.
“To pass a bill, we must be able to assure a senator from Ohio that steel workers in his state won't lose their jobs to India and China because those countries are not participating in a way that is measurable, reportable and verifiable," he said.
"With a successful deal here in Copenhagen, next year, the US Congress - House and Senate - will pass legislation," Kerry said at a meeting in Copenhagen, quoted by the Guardian. "I will tell you right now, 100 percent, we are going to pass major climate and energy legislation that is going to have an impact on emissions."
John Kerry mentioned one key requirement that the talks had to meet in order to get US backing: China and other developing countries should meet the US demand for accountability on their emission cuts. This demand has so far been rejected by some larger developing countries.
"In the Senate and in America, the concerns that kept us out of Kyoto back in 1997 are still with us today, and we need to preempt them here in Copenhagen," Kerry said and continued:
"I don't offer these insights to defend inaction. I simply want to describe for you the reality of what it will take to get this done. Some of my colleagues in Washington - like some leaders elsewhere - remain reluctant to grapple with a climate crisis mostly measured in future dangers, when they're confronted every day with the present pain of hardworking people in a tough economic time,” he was quoted as saying by CQ Politics.
“To pass a bill, we must be able to assure a senator from Ohio that steel workers in his state won't lose their jobs to India and China because those countries are not participating in a way that is measurable, reportable and verifiable," he said.
India: Kyoto in intensive care if not dead
Whether the expiring Kyoto Protocol, which sets targets for greenhouse gas emissions from rich countries only, should be continued, expanded or replaced with an alternative agreement still splits the parties.
Rie Jerichow 16/12/2009 13:10
Global negotiations to extend the Kyoto Protocol have stalled, since developing countries want rich nations to be held to their Kyoto obligations and sign up to a second round of tougher commitments from 2013, Reuters reports.
According to Reuters, India's environment minister Jairam Ramesh said on Wednesday that developed countries were "vehemently opposing" the protocol and some of them wanted a single new accord obliging all nations to fight global warming.
"The sense we get is that Kyoto is in intensive care if not dead," Ramesh told reporters, according to Reuters.
According to Reuters, India's environment minister Jairam Ramesh said on Wednesday that developed countries were "vehemently opposing" the protocol and some of them wanted a single new accord obliging all nations to fight global warming.
"The sense we get is that Kyoto is in intensive care if not dead," Ramesh told reporters, according to Reuters.
British PM warns of failure but brings hope
According to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the first sign of progress in the negotiations could be seen Wednesday with new proposals for climate change from African Union climate negotiator Meles Zenawi.
Rie Jerichow 16/12/2009 09:25
As the first world leader, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown (photo above) arrived Tuesday in Copenhagen two days ahead of schedule, in order to help broker discussions on who should pay to tackle global warming.
A failure at the summit would have serious consequences. If temperatures rise too far, the world economy would suffer an unprecedented "catastrophe", he said, according to British daily The Telegraph.
"If we do not act to tackle climate change, the costs to our standard of living will be huge - a reduction in our national income of up to 20 percent, an economic catastrophe equivalent in this century to the impact of two world wars and the great depression in the last," he said, according to the newspaper.
However, the first sign of progress could come on Wednesday with Ethiopia's prime minister and African Union climate negotiator, Meles Zenawi, expected to announce new proposals for climate change, The Guardian reports.
Meles met Brown in London on Tuesday. According to The Guardian, Brown said that Meles's proposals were an important step forward and his ideas were a "framework within which developed and developing countries can work together".
Source: http://en.cop15.dk/news/view+news?newsid=3014
A failure at the summit would have serious consequences. If temperatures rise too far, the world economy would suffer an unprecedented "catastrophe", he said, according to British daily The Telegraph.
"If we do not act to tackle climate change, the costs to our standard of living will be huge - a reduction in our national income of up to 20 percent, an economic catastrophe equivalent in this century to the impact of two world wars and the great depression in the last," he said, according to the newspaper.
However, the first sign of progress could come on Wednesday with Ethiopia's prime minister and African Union climate negotiator, Meles Zenawi, expected to announce new proposals for climate change, The Guardian reports.
Meles met Brown in London on Tuesday. According to The Guardian, Brown said that Meles's proposals were an important step forward and his ideas were a "framework within which developed and developing countries can work together".
Source: http://en.cop15.dk/news/view+news?newsid=3014
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