Copenhagen diary: Friday 11 December 2009
There's some ill feeling coming out of Copenhagen today that European Union ministers should have gone further than they did at their summit in Brussels.
The offer of short-term finance, of $3.5bn (2.4bn euros) each year to developing countries over the next three years is roundly welcomed, with Britain making the biggest contribution, so far, of the 27 EU nations.
The problem is the failure by the EU to shift up to a 30% cut in emissions on 1990 levels by 2020 - with no pre-condition that others cut too.
True, they may well be keeping this in their back pockets for next week, but politically it could have helped today, by applying pressure at an important moment - as leaders look to the all important second week.
It could also have shown the leadership on climate change the EU says it aspires to, as China and the US sling mud at each other over their respective commitments to a Copenhagen deal.
China's Vice-Foreign Minister He Yafei said of US climate envoy Todd Stern today: "I think he lacks common sense, or is extremely irresponsible," after remarks by Mr Stern that the US felt no debt to the world for its historical greenhouse gas emissions.
And on top of this apparent cold shouldering between the US and China, Mr Stern also placed a gap between the US and the Small Island States, which scientists say are most at threat from the effects of climate change.
They are asking for emissions cuts that would limit temperatures from rising 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. Mr Stern said he understood their concerns, but that this temperature limit is "not in reach", and that a 2C limit remains the "focus".
At least, at the end of this first week we finally have sight of official texts. One is an extension of the Kyoto Protocol, another a first attempt at some kind of broader Copenhagen deal, and some of the smaller groupings have put early proposals forward too.
There's plenty now for all sides to get their teeth into at informal talks over the weekend and into next week, when the political leaders arrive. But the fog may well get thicker yet before it clears.
Comment number 1.
At 19:45 11th Dec 2009, streetphotobeing wrote:If all this stuff helps cut right back on trees being cut down on mass it would be something in my view and would like to hear details on any progress. The rest is, well, pretty much dangly bits - do you think the Americans are going to be driving around the US in electric cars powered by fuel cells any time before oil becomes too costly and then runs out? And it goes on and on and on. It will happen when market forces make it happen. Until then the delusions and name calling will be reported upon but the tree line is the true understandable stuff at least at the moment and do-able .
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Comment number 2.
At 20:06 11th Dec 2009, jauntycyclist wrote:The delegation from Bolivia is pushing for a Universal Declaration of Mother Earth Rights,
...After hearing many speeches, I’ve concluded that in this new twenty-first century, defending Mother Earth will be more important than defending human rights...
https://www.boliviaun.org/cms/?p=1193
will mother earth send the humans to gulags?
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Comment number 3.
At 21:00 11th Dec 2009, barriesingleton wrote:SO BOLIVIA HAS NINNIES TOO!
I wonder if they have their very-own 'Limited Ed' to bring OPTIMISM to Chaos?
I bring news: this planet is under the influence of cosmic forces, unrecognised, hence unmeasured and assailed by cosmic debris, un located and unseen.
Bolivia! If you aspire to issue a declaration of required respect for this planet, BE SURE TO SHOUT VERY LOUD, and turn your face to the sky.
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Comment number 4.
At 01:18 12th Dec 2009, mimpromptu wrote:#1
funny bits here, Streetphotobeing
mim
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Comment number 5.
At 01:22 12th Dec 2009, mimpromptu wrote:#3
Don't fool yourself, barriesingleton, the so called unrecognised forces have been identified quite a long time ago now with decisions how to tackle them waiting to be taken quite soon, methinks.
mim
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Comment number 6.
At 02:13 12th Dec 2009, streetphotobeing wrote:Nos 5 - mim
I should make more effort with my terrible English . Dogs next door keeping me awake.
Hope things are OK with your accommodation situation.
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Comment number 7.
At 06:33 12th Dec 2009, plh wrote:Hmm... Martha Kearney's introduction to the report about those poor educational scam victims with their substandard English certainly _raised_ a question. ;-)
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Comment number 8.
At 10:47 12th Dec 2009, mimpromptu wrote:#6
Streetphotobeing
Sorry to hear about the dogs adding to the problems with your head.
I knew things would be sorted out here and things are now looking fine
Thanks for your concern
mim
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Comment number 9.
At 10:33 13th Dec 2009, stevie wrote:we are going to hell in a handcart////powered by a two stroke!!
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Comment number 10.
At 09:19 14th Dec 2009, mimpromptu wrote:#9
deranged, or what?
are gordon and mandy helping you?
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Comment number 11.
At 10:39 14th Dec 2009, Roger Thomas wrote:Pleased to see Tony Blair is now helpng out with climate change
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1235629/Is-Blair-trying-cash-climate-change--Ex-PM-arrives-summit-urge-greenhouse-gas-deal.html
Everything should be fine now, shouldn't it Stevie #9
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Comment number 12.
At 13:42 14th Dec 2009, mimpromptu wrote:#9
stevie
what time are you planning to strike?
it might be useful for both the Police and the Special Forces to synchronise action at the same time
are you planning total paralysis or just partial so that you can continue groping while keeping everybody else away?
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Comment number 13.
At 13:46 14th Dec 2009, mimpromptu wrote:#12 continuation
I kind of thought of staying at home to finish my Christmas cards but in view of the imminent strike have changed my mind and shall now hit the streets of London to have at least some warm and kind help when hit rather than suffer all on my own with no sould realising what's happening.
good luck, stevie
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Comment number 14.
At 15:19 14th Dec 2009, barriesingleton wrote:THE X-FACTOR FINAL: TONY BALONEY V FOUL COWELL (Who's most needy?)(#11)
I felt sure he had to be there Celtic. Will he be daft enough to stick around when the REAL big boys arrive? He could be in for one of those Obama snubs; or a Brown Cybergrin. Good grief! I don't know which is more painful.
Britain is second only to America in driving her people mad. These two are certainly Princes of Potty. If only it were all a bad dream.
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