Canada - and yet, pointing at others

Good morning from Durban

Everything is going to take place behind closed doors. Many of us have stayed up late to get their hands on the new texts. The European Union presented a text yesterday afternoon which put off a new legal regime until 2020 and only weakly supported the continuation of the Kyoto Protocol. It was rejected by most parties other than Australia, Canada and the United States. Mostly because the text did not include a timeline for ratification or indication of how to close the gap other than the EU and only the EU would commit to a second period of the Kyoto Protocol.

Now, 8 hours later we have new texts for the Green Climate Fund and the working group for the Kyoto Protocol. The questions which remain open is who will govern the Green Climate Fund and where will the secretariat be located. It seems to be a major issue between developed countries and developing countries whether the World Bank should be the dealer of the Fund. The text does not make any indication about potential sources like a financial transaction tax or taxes from bunker fuels to fill the fund. It remains a big secret.

During the negotiations for a second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol India pointed out that they are astonished and disturbed by the comments of their colleague from Canada who was pointing at them as to why we are against the roadmap of the EU. India stated it is “disturbed to find that a legally binding Protocol to the Convention, negotiated 14 years ago is now being junked in a cavalier manner. Countries which have signed and ratified it are walking away without even a polite goodbye. And yet, pointing at others.”

One of the big concern is that the current bigger picture text does not make any reference to “common but differentiated responsibilities” - It looks like some countries will get exactly what they are here for.

Negotiations will continue all Saturday. Stay tuned for more power plays!