Down to the wire: Green Climate Fund, binding agreements and Terry Lake’s take on things

Dispatches from Durban - Day 11

By Neil Thomson

We’ve entered the final day of negotiations here in Durban, although there’s mention of some continuation into the weekend if needed. The US has announced it’s not prepared to agree to the EU proposal of a “roadmap” if the final destination is a legally binding agreement, as there is no way of knowing what that agreement will look like at this point. 120 countries, including Brazil, Japan, Canada and many African nations, have showed support for the EU's proposal for a roadmap towards a new global agreement. The plan would involve the major emitters from both the developing and developed world signing a deal in 2015, which would come into effect in 2020. China has placed five conditions on a legally binding agreement, and India reportedly won’t sign any agreement unless it includes trade protections. Connie Hedegaard, the EU environment commissioner has said that the Least Developed Countries, the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), and the EU are united in the desire for an ambitious outcome in Durban.

The Canadian delegation reports that it is extremely busy working on negotiations for Ministerial decision. Negotiations for the Green Climate Fund are progressing particularly well. Canada is also seeing some progress on the technology and adaptation negotiations. However, progress on mitigation remains “challenging”. Legal options moving forward have reportedly been moved to high level Indaba process hosted by the COP President. Indaba is a Zulu word referring to gathering together in discussions for a common purpose and has been used throughout the negotiations. The Presidency is holding regular technical Indabas where a growing one-pager on "the bigger picture" (which is now three pages long) is under considerations by the Parties. Many of the national presentations refer to the concept of “common but differentiated responsibilities”. The mood from many of the youth delegations around delayed action has become one of intergenerational admonishment, stating that it’s unacceptable for this generation to benefit from the destruction it causes for future generations. 

BC Minister of the Environment Terry Lake noted yesterday that these negotiations have been an eye opening experience for him. Opposition to climate action in BC often uses the argument that the province is doing enough already and “shouldn’t get too far ahead”. When I asked for his thoughts on this position now that he’s seen where the rest of the world is, he commented that BC is far from alone. Most jurisdictions are acting, with some taking more decisive steps than we are. The Province’s Climate Action Plan has enabled the start of realignment towards the world’s new economic model, and if we pause now others will leave us behind, particularly our major trading partners in Asia.

Contact:

Neil Thomson, ISIS, neil.thom...@sauder.ubc.ca
Alison Murphy, Offsetters, alison.mur...@offsetters.ca