Fifty-five Countries Meet Copenhagen Accord Deadline for Stating their Greenhouse Gas Cutback Goals
The Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) says that it has received pledges from 55 countries to limit and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. For companies, particularly large multi-nationals with facilities around the world, the pledges are a useful indication of the first or additional requirements the companies will have to meet.
Continue Reading...Copenhagen Outcomes: Lots of Bark, But The Bite Needs Work
Heading into Copenhagen, I provided a “Fab 5” of necessary outcomes for COP-15 to be a success. The Copenhagen Accord took a number of pragmatic steps on finance, accountability and endorsing market-based approaches to tackling the challenge of global climate change. The Accord will likely play well in the US Senate with a view to getting more support for domestic action through cap-and-trade legislation as it brings China, India, Brazil and South Africa along in bending the curve of business-as-usual emissions. It also establishes accountability procedures for developing countries to report on those obligations through the Conference of the Parties. Additionally, the next commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, never popular in domestic politics, appears dubious at best. So these issues play well domestically.
However, in the trade-off for these pragmatic steps, the United Nations Conference of the Parties process was left in tatters. While most countries signed on to the Copenhagen Accord, it was done so with a disdain for the process and skepticism for the result. It will be difficult to regain the level of political momentum and multilateral engagement that was achieved in the lead up to Copenhagen through the UN. Science-based targets to reduce emissions backed by a legally binding UN treaty to fulfill all commitments were lost, for now, in that effort.
Continue Reading...ANDERSON's NOTEBOOK: What Can We Make of the Copenhagen Accord?
Fred Anderson is providing an inside look at COP-15 in Copenhagen to The Bureau of National Affairs (BNA) World Climate Change Report.
Today, Anderson's Notebook (12/21/09), discusses what we can make of the Copenhagen Accord.
To read the full entry, please click here.
This Just In From Copenhagen: Accord Reached By Key Parties!
Attached is the draft Copenhagen Accord, which was hammered out by the United States, China, India and South Africa, and made available less than two hours ago. The Conference of the Parties is still in session; reportedly 26 other nations are reviewing the draft and may join the Accord. Details regarding wider acceptance of this draft are sketchy at this point.
The major issues that have caused controversy among the delegates have been addressed, such as: a commitment by the developed world countries to provide financing to the developing world countries to assist with mitigation and adaptation, amounting to $30 billion between 2010 and 2012, rising to $100 billion by 2020; prevention of deforestation and market mechanisms to enhance forest programs; a recognition of the importance of keeping the rise in temperature to less than 2 degrees; and a commitment to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions to below 50 percent of 1990 level, with Annex I parties committing to reduce their emissions individually or jointly by 80 percent. Finally, implementation of the Accord shall be reviewed in 2016 to determine if the long-term goal of a less than 2 degree rise in temperature should be reduced to 1.5 degrees.
ANDERSON's NOTEBOOK: It's Down to the Final Hours
Fred Anderson is providing an inside look at COP-15 in Copenhagen to The Bureau of National Affairs (BNA) World Climate Change Report.
Today, Anderson's Notebook (12/18/09), titled It's Down to the Final Hours, discusses the encouraging signals from China and what the final day will bring.
To read the full entry, please click here.
ANDERSON's NOTEBOOK: What is US Industry to Make of Copenhagen?
Fred Anderson is providing an inside look at COP-15 in Copenhagen to The Bureau of National Affairs (BNA) World Climate Change Report.
Today, Anderson's Notebook (12/17/09), titled What is US Industry to Make of Copenhagen?, discusses what industry is to make of the proceedings and whether the conference and any agreement it produces will shape things to come in the United States.
To read the full entry, please click here.
COP-15 Day 11: Snow, Money, Gore and More!!!
It seems as though the moods of optimism and pessimism with respect to reaching a deal in Copenhagen change by the hour. Last evening, there was supreme doubt a deal could get done with many observers beginning to retrench to old positions of blaming US intransigence. The US, familiar to the villain role in climate proceedings, was viewed as having a weak target with little assurance it can deliver on anything back in the Senate, yet strong demands of developing countries particularly of China and little finance to provide poorer countries as promised in the Bali Action Plan.
Continue Reading...Peter Gray Discusses Copenhagen & US Climate Change Legislation on Fox Business Network
During a December 15 interview with Fox Business Network, Peter Gray discusses what has been happening in Copenhagen and how the talks there could change the way companies do business in the US.
To watch the interview, please visit: http://video.mww.com/ftpupload/FTPinbox/15/FoxBiz-Gray-12-15-09.wmv.
ANDERSON's NOTEBOOK: Copenhagen Stormed by the States, Provinces, Cities, and Regions
Fred Anderson is providing an inside look at COP-15 in Copenhagen to The Bureau of National Affairs (BNA) World Climate Change Report.
Today, Anderson's Notebook (12/16/09), titled Copenhagen Stormed by the States, Provinces, Cities, and Regions, discusses how state, provincial, municipal, county, and regional governments are taking the lead to meet climate challenges.
To read the full entry, please click here.
COP-15 Day 10: Copenhagen - Moving from Rhetoric to Reality?
As heads of state begin to arrive, the mood remains quite anxious in Copenhagen. Significant amounts of negotiating text still remain in brackets and unresolved. Clearly political level help is necessary. Information suggests that in fact high level talks began in the past few days from respective capitals. There will be little time for informal negotiations once all key heads of state arrive, so ministerial negotiations will need to continue in parallel as it is unrealistic to expect all nuances of climate policy text to be taken care of at the highest level. Heads of state will only be asked to address the bigger picture issues: targets & timetables for reductions, finance and a timeline for achieving a legally binding agreement.
Continue Reading...Peter Gray Discusses the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen on Bloomberg Radio
During the December 15 edition of The Hayes Advantage on Bloomberg Radio, Peter Gray discusses the Climate Change conference in Copenhagen as well as the chances of passage of a climate change bill.
To listen to the interview, please visit: http://video.mww.com/ftpupload/FTPinbox/15/Gray-Bloomberg.mp3.
ANDERSON's NOTEBOOK: Fast Action and Fast Start in a Slow Copenhagen Process
COP-15 Day 9: Political Horses are Coming to Water
The UN climate negotiations are getting more tense by the day. Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC Yvo De Boer, reflecting on his work today, noted that “you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink” in reference to the Heads of State who will be arriving over the next 48 hours with a view to a political agreement being reached.
Continue Reading...COP-15 Day 8: Chaos in Copenhagen
The Bella Center is hot, crowded and beyond its capacity. Lines are hours long to even enter the building. Security is tightening up. Around the city, Copenhagen is ground zero for climate change this week as there are countless business events, protests, and conferences all day and night.
Negotiations were suspended as G77 nations, led by African delegates in this instance, walked out. Their desire is a continuation of the Kyoto Protocol and pushing developed countries for bigger carbon cuts and international climate finance. Speculation is that this action is about negotiation theatrics to raise the stakes in Week 2 and they will come back to the table soon. Informal negotiations took place over the weekend in an upscale warehouse district of Copenhagen that were reported to be positive, so the latest G77 action caught some delegates by surprise.
Continue Reading...ANDERSON's NOTEBOOK: Optimistic as Second Week of Climate Talks Begin
Fred Anderson has been asked by The Bureau of National Affairs (BNA) World Climate Change Report to write a daily column titled "Anderson’s Notebook" during the second week of the Copenhagen conference of the parties (COP-15 ). The column will provide perspectives on issues central to the negotiations. "Anderson’s Notebook" will be featured as part of BNA’s special expanded coverage at http://climate.bna.com/Copenhagen, which is being made free to site visitors worldwide.
Today, Anderson's first notebook entry, Optimistic as Second Week of Climate Talks Begin, reviews the first week of COP-15 and discusses the state of the talks and the prospects for a successful outcome.
COP-15 Day 5: Intellectual Property and Developing Countries' Frustrations Take Center Stage
Today, there was some limited progress on a few implementation issues which are largely peripheral to the main obstacles to a consensus agreement. Most of the work was done behind closed doors by separate working groups.
In the morning session, intellectual property protection was a major focus as developing countries insisted on the free flow of new climate friendly technologies while R&D companies feared the conversion and cloning of their intellectual property. In addition, scientists discussed in various briefings the implications of deforestation.
Continue Reading...COP-15 Day 4: Talks Continue With Cautious Optimism
President Obama's receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize was center stage at the COP-15 Conference. As the ceremony was broadcast on giant screens, attendees eagerly watched President Obama's acceptance of the prestigious award with his commitment to the issues before the United Nations conference on climate change.
Meanwhile, negotiators faced tough sledding as solid language implementing confirmable climate change commitments remained elusive. Various working groups continue focusing on separate tracks in hopes of creating some solid building blocks for an overall agreement. In addition, diplomatic efforts are underway to craft concrete language "locking in" various countries' promises in emissions reductions as "targets" which are verifiable.
Continue Reading...COP-15 Day 4: Reaching a Political Agreement and the Role of the UN
'Political agreement' was the word of the day in late briefings yesterday and continuing today. Its definition varies from country to country.
For the United States, it means an agreement that President Obama can sign when he comes next week with the full expectation that the United States will honor its terms even without Congressional action. While the preference is for adoption by the Congress by simple majority votes as legislation (as opposed to ratification by the Senate as a treaty with a 2/3 vote), Parties have been assured that President Obama can implement his commitments without Congressional action.
A serious and growing issue remains the role of the UN in monitoring, verifying, and enforcing emissions reductions commitments. African countries have taken a high profile and vocal role in opposing early proposals for an supervising entity outside of the UN. So far, the United States remains firm on its pre-conference position regarding a newly created structure outside of the UN for monitoring and enforcement. Most regard this issue as one of the most significant impediments to a political agreement at COP-15.
Jon Sohn Discusses Progress on International Finance in Copenhagen on E&E TV
As one of the most contentious issues in the international climate negotiations, climate finance is expected to be a major focus in Copenhagen. During today's OnPoint, Jon Sohn explains the climate finance issue and discusses US and European pledges for international aid to developing nations.
To watch the interview, please visit: http://www.eenews.net/tv/2009/12/09/.
COP-15 Day 3: The Leaked Danish Reports; Who Gets the Money for Implementation?
Against the backdrop of the leaked Danish proposal, the morning turned the attention of participants toward the details of implementation. For developing countries, the question has been "who gets the money?" Among the delegates from developing countries, there appear to be two components to this question. First, which countries get how much of the pool of funds for transition and adaptation? Not surprisingly, there is much discussion on this point. Second, who within the most undeveloped countries get to control the funds received. There is genuine concern among environmentalists that some governments may not use the funds for real climate change initiatives.
Continue Reading...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.
Continue Reading...The Fab 5: Defining Success in Copenhagen
With 5,000 delegates, 6,000 media and 16,000 non-governmental organizations descending upon Copenhagen for the UN Conference of the Parties on Climate Change, there is no shortage of opinion and spin on what “success” looks like. But through all the talk, 5 key elements are necessary for an agreement that will further efforts to address climate change.
Continue Reading...COP-15 Day 2: UK's Gordon Brown Pledges 30% UK GHG Reductions; Developing Countries Shift Focus to Transition Aid
The United States jumpstarted the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP-15) with solid commitments by the Obama Administration for reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions and funding. On Day Two, the United Kingdom confirmed that it would move well beyond the US commitments in hopes of keeping the pressure on for an accord among the participating parties.
Continue Reading...Carbon-Reduction Strategies Likely To Create Friction In Copenhagen
Posted on CNBC.com
One of the biggest obstacles to achieving a global climate change agreement is a fundamental difference between how developed and developing economies would set carbon-emission goals. The big developed economies prefer absolute emissions targets while emerging markets want “carbon intensity” cuts based on the rate of a country’s GDP growth.
Featuring insights from Jon Sohn ...
"We have a lot of exciting technologies and companies that can fill the gaps,” says Jon Sohn, a climate change expert with DC office of law firm McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP. "We can be ahead of the curve and see this coming or dig in our heels."
To read the full article, please visit http://www.cnbc.com/id/34312894.
EPA Endangerment Finding: Certainty from the United States
So much remains to be resolved as the McKenna Long & Aldridge team heads to Copenhagen this week. There is much speculation regarding what Congress will do to move forward on climate change. Bottom-line positions from the Obama Administration at the Copenhagen negotiations remain to be seen. But one thing is certain: the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving forward to regulate greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).
Continue Reading...US Envoy Johnathan Pershing Opens Copenhagen Talks with US Commitment to 17% GHG Reduction Targets
Expectations ramped up with the announcement by Jonathan Pershing, US Deputy Special Envoy for Climate Change, that the United States would commit to specific Greenhouse Gas Emission targets (17%) in line with various climate change legislation pending before the United States Congress.
I sat in on the Plenary Session in which Pershing spoke. The response of the packed room was skeptical with polite spattered applause. The comments by the US negotiator were the most specific to date by any representative of the United States government. Following these comments and several others, I visited with delegates and representatives from several countries around the world as well as from a coupe of states from the United States. There is a genuine sense that negotiators have been given the boundaries for a Copenhagen Accord to be finalized when President Obama visits Copenhagen on December 18, 2009. Several important parties to any successful accord, including India, made clear their reluctance to agree to enforceable defined limits. With the outline of the Obama Administration's commitments, negotiators will now attempt to create an outline of an agreement that is broad enough to accomodate the concerns of many developing countries, while capitalizing on the specifics of the United States' committment.
