One previous morning my Italian colleague Andrea and I have been interviewed by the guys from OneClimate; to the question of our hopes for future global strategy, I replied that I wish that the different countries would go beyond politics and economics rope-pulling, and take each other’s hands for an effort to do this [stop global climatic change] together.
To my surprise (and enjoyment), my exact words were seconded in last night’s planery session on second commitment period for the (by then) reviewed Kyoto Protocol (especially regarding LULUCF, the ‘balance package’ and obviously as a legally binding agreement) – “that we join hands again” – as a follow-up to the G77+China representative’s speech.
Overall, the Tianjin conference has offered the parties to review all processes and put forward their individual suggestions.
Most negotiations were concentrated on the formulation of text (aka punctuation) that has been formed already in the sessions in August in Bonn, in view of future legally-binding agreement to replace the current Kyoto Protocol.
On Tuesday this week Mr. Shamanov has confirmed to the media that Russia is, alike USA, using their major-position influence to force the future agreement to be legally binding and equal in measure to all (major) parties, including Brazil, China, South Korea, Saudi Arabia among others.
However, Russia’s position towards climate change agenda was majorly formed prior to COP15, and has not altered much since then. Within the ‘umbrella group’, Russia remains active along with USA, Japan, New Zealand and Australia in terms negotiations.
Shamanov argues that this group has witnessed a rebirth to activity in coordination between members during this conference; particularly partnership exchange seemed to flow between Belarus (as group observer) and Russia during AWG-KP sessions. Ukraine and Kazakhstan have also showed that their aims are shared with Russian delegation’s propositions.
Cancun is regarded as an important (intermediate) stage of reviewing and correcting all inaccuracies of the Kyoto Protocol, which are no longer valid for the period after 2012.
Specifically, the Russian delegation places emphasis on such an agreement being durable, realistic and scientifically correct in methodology. COP16 should be a session to resolve all key problematics and decisions, so that the following session in South Africa (2011) will allow the final agreement signing.
This in mind, the emphasis in Tianjin negotiations has been prioritizing and clearing up questions to form realistic, shared aims (by all parties) in sections of gas emission regulations for Annex I parties, finance and funding for (least) developing countries, technology transfer and verification issues, in view of the Copenhagen Accord.
It therefore proves crucial for negotiations to come to a collective, affirmative stop on what concerns and aims there would be in some 7 weeks’ time at COP16 and CMP6.
In this, for example the gas emission discussion for Annex I parties, to which I have been guest last night, was no different: at a particular moment the bracket debate appeared to take over – like so many times before; the co-chair’s “the alternative is to come back here again after 6 pm this evening, and to continue what would be, I am sure, an entertaining evening!” seemed however to put some sense… For that evening when the parties met past 6pm, it was announced that some have agreed to lift the brackets, and others to agree. The result – collective, unified decision on NO brackets around options, ONLY brackets within each option, and all added gases to the list accepted by parties.
I daresay we finished in time for the eight o’clock bus, which has been escorted through a green street light corridor, in line, by police and sirens (that’s Friday night in China!).
Incidentally, in his interview, Shamanov also stated that the Russian Ministry Of International Affairs is open to public inquiries on climate change issues, and for exchanges with NGO activities in that area. The main goal being to raise public awareness, which at present is shockingly low nationwide.
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