The Copenghagen Accord

[biffvernon]

So maybe it isn't legally binding and maybe it doesn't go far enough, but after two years of preparation and 15000 delegates negotiating for a fortnight, it's all we've got.

Here it is, fresh from the UN twitter feed: http://unfccc.int/files/meetings/cop_15/application/pdf/cop15_cph_auv.pdf

Let's not wait for the 'leaders' to lead but let's get on with making implementation possible.

 

[Flyfisher]

Everyone is in denial.

In the run-up to Copenhagen, all the lobby groups seemed to be saying it was the last chance to save the climate, which, if true, means we've blown it.

350.org was established to emphasise that 350ppm CO2 was the 'safe' limit, even though we're already at 387ppm. Their website now states that the negotiated outcome of COP15 was a 770ppm - over TWICE the 'safe' limit.

If you believe all the science, we're already over the safe limit and the best spin that can be put on the COP15 is that everyone is only agreeing to reduce the rate of increase. I've read nothing about any initiative to reduce CO2 levels in absolute terms.

It's looking increasingly like an insoluble problem but it's not politically acceptable to admit it - on either side - so we just keep going through the motions. Meanwhile, all those political leaders are now back in their own countries worrying about how to expand their economies and/or stay in office.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

I've read the document. Maybe I'm missing something, but it doesn't seem to say anything concrete. Lots of aspirations with multiple caveats. The only tangible thing I could see was some sort of promise to hand over an eye-watering $100bn per year to developing nations by 2020. Hmmm.... we couldn't even manage to say that deforestation should cease - but we do "agree on the need to provide positive incentives".

Well, that's alright then - we're all agreed that "something should be done". Except we haven't actually agreed anything - we just "noted it".

Climate change is not even higlighted as the most significant threat to our survival as a species (as trailed by many beforehand) - it is now considered to be just "one of the greatest challenges of our time". So that's alright then.

The whole damned jamboree seems to have been an expensive failure. Or have I missed something?

 

[judrop]

The whole damned jamboree seems to have been an expensive failure. Or have I missed something?

:shock: To say nothing of all the fuel, (wasted) to get all these people there, all the fuel to keep them warm etc etc, a farce !

 

[biffvernon]

Oh whoops, here's an account of what really happened at copenhagen. Naughty Chinese. (I've a lot of faith in what Mark has to say.)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/dec/22/copenhagen-climate-change-mark-lynas

It shows why Ed Miliband was so quick to point the finger at China.

And here's how Miliband ensured that the Accord, such as it is, actually happened:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/dec/23/copenhagen-summit-accord-silver-lining