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UNFCCC Chief Says Copenhagen Conference Will Bring Clarity, Commitment, Action

Speaking at a press conference from Bonn last week, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer conveyed a message of “what can and must be achieved” at the COP15 climate change conference that soon gets underway in Copenhagen. Referring to the urgency of the growing climate crisis, de Boer said there was no plan “B” for the conference, only plan “A” – for “action.”

Spelling out the specifics of his plan of action, de Boer touched on three key points as elements of success for Copenhagen:

  • All nations must bring to the table “in black and white”  four sets of commitments:
    • Firm mitigation targets from industrialized nations for proposed emissions cuts by 2020
    • Clarity on the “scope and extent” of engagement from the developing world on curbing greenhouse gas emissions
    • Clarity on both short and long term financing to support the developing world in its adaptation and mitigation efforts.
    • A clear plan on how to deploy that financing
  • An agreement to start immediate action in the developing world:
    • that adapts to the impacts of climate chage
    • defines a path for clean energy development
    • secures the required technology for that development
    • creates the skilled workforce to implement that plan
  • An immediate international plan to preserve and sustain forests

Last week saw movement from both China and the US in at least some of these areas. The White House confirmed that president Obama intends on participating in the climate talks, bringing with him firm mitigation targets. China followed with a pledge of cuts in “carbon intensity” over the next decade. While neither country offers the degree of commitment considered necessary, any movement is a positive step that can spur further action and perhaps real progress.

“The US commitment to specific, mid-term emission cut targets and China’s commitment to specific action on energy efficiency can unlock two of the last doors to a comprehensive agreement,” said de Boer. “Let there be no doubt that we need continued strong ambition and leadership. In particular, we still await clarity from industrialised nations on the provision of large-scale finance to developing countries for immediate and long-term climate action.”

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Image credit: Tom Schueneman

2 comments
  1. Steven Earl Salmony

    I am all for clarity, commitment and action, but as I see things at the moment, these are the facts on the ground:

    Trillions in dodgy financial instruments, fraudulent ponzi schemes and ill-gotten gains for self-proclaimed Masters of the Universe. Billions in bonuses and ‘rescue’ dollars for dishonorable fat cats and their minions on Wall Street. Millions in job losses, foreclosure notices and unemployment benefits for human beings with feet of clay on Main Street. A pittance for saving the Earth from greed-mongering wealth concentrators, the irresponsible economic powerbrokers and their bought-and-paid-for politicians who are the perpetrators of the colossal ecological mess that will be left for the children to clean up after the conspicuous overconsumers and obscene hoarders of my generation have pleasured ourselves to death.

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