Follow the money

It has been almost almost 20 years now, but it seems forever. The same clashes, the same predictability and the same lack of action. We haven’t gone past the same old division between developing and developed, rich and poor, north and south. And it is taking us nowhere.

One of the few refreshing elements in the last years in the UNFCCC, is what 6 small developing countries from Latin America are trying to accomplish. They are working to break that stalemate that arises developed countries won’t compromise nor developing countries will accept any sacrifice. Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, Colombia, Peru and Chile are trying to reach out, and to build a bridge with the rest of the world and to try to establish a different relationship.

It means going past blame, to focus on solving a pressing issue. Working together, where we all do our part. More carbon-based growth won’t be good for anybody, and it will touch everyone’s pockets.

Economic growth is one of the legs of sustainability, and to understand negotiations we need to follow the money. This is what everything is all about. Environmental concerns apart, climate change is going to cost a massive amount of money. As developing countries, we are not able to afford it. Not while we try to develop.

When lost in the negotiation, just follow the money

There has to be another way. Kyoto Protocol showed us that we could have new emission-reduction profitable projects that benefitted all parties. With such new business opportunities we were able to transform public transportation in our cities, created opportunities sustainable energy, and finally had a way to make our forest profitable different than logging them to the ground.

We don’t need money given to us, we need a fair framework to work and earn it. We need money to flow in two directions, instead of one. We need a real chance to kick-start our carbon-free growth, and leave poverty behind.

We also need to play at the same level, and by the same standards. Transparency and accountability is the base of business. It is very absurd to have an agreement where there will be no reviews of what each country is pledging to do to reduce emission, that is just a brewing pot for distrust. With no trust, nothing can be done.

If nothing is decided in Lima, Paris will be a real challenge. If nothing is decided in Paris… we might as well pack our bags and turn off the lights (Mars, anyone?). A difficult middle point has to be found. And even though each country won’t get what they want, the world as a whole might just what it needs: a working agreement.