Tears and cheers in the Plenary hall. Signs of progress?

Posted on 11. Dec, 2010 by adoptanegotiator in Australia | View Comments

I just witnessed a sign of great hope at the climate talks in Cancun. Today new drafts of the new climate agreement were released. Initial responses have been mostly positive and it appears that there has been significant compromise from many countries.

This text forms the framework for a new climate treaty and makes a range of positive progressions. For example, the text clearly sets out the establishment of a new climate fund to support poor and vulnerable communities. In addition, it acknowledges that current commitments fall short of what is needed and sets out a process for review. This progress may not seem like much at first glance, however, they represent significant political compromises that contribute to creation of a fair, ambitious and binding international climate deal.

In a stocktaking meet the President of the conference official presented the texts in a massive plenary hall. The was standing room only as the hall was packed with country representatives and observers. When the president finished presenting the new texts spontaneous applause erupted across the room. After several minutes people started to stand and cheer. The atmosphere was electric as all saw a glimpse of hope in what has been a frustrating couple of weeks. There is hope!

Festooned in Cancun

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

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.

Australia commits to flexibility in Cancun? Time will tell.

Posted on 09. Dec, 2010 by Philip Ireland in Adopt a Negotiator, Australia | View Comments

We are fast approaching the final day of negotiations at the Cancun climate talks. New meetings are being called around the clock as Heads of State and Ministers attempt to secure a strong outcome from Cancun. In the past few hours a range of press conferences and non-government organisation briefings have been cancelled. We are yet to know exactly what is going on behind the scenes, but the indications are that there is some serious political bargaining occurring.

Today, Australia’s Minister for Climate Change, Greg Combet, addressed the high-level meeting in Cancun outlining Australia’s position. He said that he recognised climate change is happening and impacts people. The Minister also stated that progress in Cancun is important and that flexibility is needed-

“It is imperative for the credibility of this process that we are able to make progress here at this Conference….Australia will continue to make every effort to support a successful outcome, and encourages all parties to be flexible so as to achieve our common goals.”

But how is Australia being flexible? Where is Australia compromising and changing its position to contribute to a strong outcome?

Today, I had the opportunity to attend a brief press conference with Mark Dreyfus, the Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, one of Australia’s senior politicians in Cancun. After he outlined some of Australia’s fast-start climate financing commitments I had an opportunity to ask him how Australia is being flexible in Cancun.
(go to the time 4:10 to see my question)

Unfortunately the detail was a little thin on the ground. Mr Dreyfus first identified that the Executive Secretary of this process (the UNFCCC) has called for everyone to be flexible and followed up by stating that Australia will be cooperative. Cooperation is great, however, for this process to be successful countries, including Australia, will need to go further.

Over the next 24 hours I and many others will be closely watching to see how Australia is being flexible. Are we being sufficiently constructive? Are we being a leader and contributing the strong outcome that the world needs? Time will tell.