Hope for COP16 Breakthrough
Posted on 11. Dec, 2010 by astark in U.S.A.
The new LCA draft text was released hours after the new draft KP text, and the change in the atmosphere here at the Moon Palace is palpable. Worry about the outcome of tonight’s negotiations was the overwhelming theme this morning, and although a great deal of worry remains, the new bracket- and option-free text is bringing a fresh wave of energy into the corridors which is sweeping into the plenary rooms themselves.
Flipping through the LCA text, it seems like what is there now is the broad design of the balanced package we’ve been looking for all along. Certainly it seems like the developed countries and the United States have won “victories” on many aspects of the text. For example, for wonks who follow the climate finance issue, the text currently invites the World Bank to be the trustee of a new Green Climate Fund. But there’s the good news too- the text calls for the establishment of a Fund, as well as an adaptation board and technology committee, institutions that it seemed the U.S. was blocking even earlier this week. The U.S. delegation’s reaction was typically opaque: Pershing said that there are many things that the United States wants to see happen in this text, and some negative aspects as well.
It’s now up to the negotiators tonight to work out a final agreement that everyone can support. The new draft texts have injected new hope into these halls. This new surge of hope is sending a direct message to the negotiators gathered here tonight- don’t disappoint us.
Negotiator Tracker - Alex Stark
Alex Stark joins the project from Washington DC, where she's focused on legislation addressing drivers of violent conflict around the world, including the effects of climate change. Tracking the US negotiators and getting the word out about action inside the UNFCCC combine her passions for activism, sustainable development, conflict prevention and US foreign policy. read more»
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