COP-15 Day 2: Leaders of Developing Countries Pressed for Commitments Necessary for a Formal Accord
Utilizing the momentum of the announcements from the United States and the United Kingdom, COP-15 representatives pressed leaders of developing countries for commitments necessary for a formal accord among the participating parties. India and China hold the keys to meaningful language committing developing countries to material changes in their total greenhouse gas emissions trajectories.
One of the most significant obstacles remains the issues surrounding how to define the terms for measuring compliance in any agreement. Apparently as part of a fastforward effort, a draft agreement by the host Danes was leaked so that representatives could all see some starting language for an accord. Unfortunately, the draft language fueled concerns about the significant differences between the commitments to cut emissions based on historical levels (for developed countries) and the commitments to cut the trajectory of emissions growth (for developing countries). The goal is to have an agreeable draft as a based document by Saturday with the major negotiations to be completed well in advance of President Obama's visit on December 18.
Meanwhile, scientists offered more evidence that recent warming weather patterns correspond to catastophic weather events. The delicate balance for scientists continues to be communicating urgency without communicating that any action now is too late.
Businesses in the United States continue to scramble to determine the impact of the EPA's decision to classify CO2 as a harmful substance. In Copenhagen, the United States government has made relatively clear that it will be the EPA that has the principle burden in meeting the US commitments made in furtherance of a climate change accord.
http://www.climatechangeinsights.com/admin/trackback/171332
