Festooned in Cancun

Posted on 10. Dec, 2010 by Philip Ireland in Adopt a Negotiator, Australia

As the talks move into their final hours the tension is building. Planned sessions have been delayed indefinably as we all prepare for the to go throughout the night and into the morning.

I had the opportunity to meet with the Australia Minister for Climate Change, Greg Combet today to pass on messages support (and firm encouragement). It is clear that the Minister and the entire Australian delegation has been working around the clock. Minister Combet suggested that the jury was still out on a strong outcome in Cancun and said that Australia is doing everything it can to reach an outcome that is good for the environment.

The Minister sent this message to the people of Australia :

“The UN climate talks are critically important to not only Australia, but countries around the world. Australia has a lot to lose from a changing climate as do many of our near neighbours, especially our Pacific Island friends.

The Australian Government is playing a very constructive role at these talks and we are pushing hard to make progress in a number of very important areas. You should all be very proud of the work that our Australian delegation is doing.

Apart from our engagement in these talks the Government is also working very hard domestically to play our fair role in tackling climate change.”

The Minister is now locked down in senior political negotiations. We are yet to see the result of the political horse-trading going on behind the scenes. Anything can happen during these final hours. For now, its an anxious wait until the heads of state and Ministers emerge from their meetings and all is revealed.

Tags: Cancún, change, climate, COP16, featured, mexico, UNFCCC