Preparing for the high-level ministers at COP17

Dispatches From Durban - Day 6

Further rounds of negotiations took place on Friday as delegates met in contact groups and for informal consultations on a wide range of agenda items. There are 6 different negotiating tracks meeting and there are 55 separate issues under discussion.  As a result, it’s reported that many delegates are having a hard time keeping track of all the issues and having their texts ready by Saturday so the high-level ministers who will start to arrive early next week can take them up. 

Negotiations continued during the day and into the night on draft texts that are expected to form the basis of outcomes in Durban. Many countries are maintaining their strong positions and it is difficult to see what a Durban outcome will look like at this stage. This feels like the time to start managing our expectations. Needless to say, there is a wide gap between developing nations and China, and Annex-1 countries on the scope of a second commitment period under Kyoto. 

News from the US delegation, Deputy Special Envoy for Climate Change Jonathan Pershing spoke of positive outcomes at Cancun, and urged that all major economies be included in a 2nd commitment period. He further stated that parties should recognize that we need a new mitigation and adaptation regime that reflects the current global economic situation rather than using architecture that was designed in 1992 or 1997 when Kyoto was first adopted.

Signing off for the weekend! Check back next week for more Dispatches From Durban.

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