Cancun Conclusion
Posted on 27. Dec, 2010 by astark in U.S.A.
The atmosphere in the plenary meeting at 3:00 am on Saturday morning was electric as countries entered the final stages of negotiations, hoping to reach a climate deal under the auspices of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
U.S. Officials Welcome Cancun Agreements
Posted on 16. Dec, 2010 by astark in U.S.A.
I will post a lengthier wrap-up of the Cancun conference soon (I promise!), but for now thoguht I’d share the reception that the Cancun Agreements are getting from officials and politicians here in the U.S. In a press briefing on Tuesday, December 14th, Todd Stern noted that “throughout the year, our strategic vision was to [...]
Optimism No Longer Cautious in Cancun
Posted on 11. Dec, 2010 by astark in U.S.A.
Maybe the negotiators are just overtired, or the plenary hall was overcrowded, but at the informal plenary meeting that just wrapped up, the entire room was given over to giddy enthusiasm. Aside from interventions from the usual crowd (Bolivia, Cuba, etc.) that cautioned that there is still work to be done on the draft text, [...]
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 [...]
Pershing and Stern Once More
Posted on 10. Dec, 2010 by astark in U.S.A.
UK supertracker Anna caught Todd Stern and Jonathan Pershing outside of the Moon Palace a few minutes ago getting a first look at the new draft LCA text. In stark contrast, less than 20 feet away a group of young people were protesting the slow pace and lack of ambition at the talks by counting [...]
Document center goes nuts!
Posted on 10. Dec, 2010 by astark in U.S.A.
Mass chaos surrounded the document center at precisely 3:00pm, when the new texts were expected to be released. I was nearly smothered in the crush but unfortunately only the KP track text had been released, so we’re still waiting for the LCA track text.
Still Waiting…
Posted on 10. Dec, 2010 by astark in U.S.A.
The U.S. delegation had an outdoor meeting on the Moon Palace terrace around noon. We’re not sure what they were discussing, but we do know that all of the parties now have a copy of the final text that will be discussed this afternoon when the stocktaking plenary begins. NGOs, press and everyone else should [...]
Is the U.S. a UN Bully?
Posted on 10. Dec, 2010 by astark in U.S.A.
It seems like the UN climate negotiations only get more opaque as pressure on ministers to negotiate a meaningful outcome intensifies. In the first week of negotiations, the halls of the Moon Palace were calm, it was easy to flag down a U.S. delegate to talk to and the delegation held regular press briefings and [...]
Cancun Update: U.S. Delegation Press Briefing 5
Posted on 09. Dec, 2010 by astark in U.S.A.
U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change Todd Stern’s press briefing yesterday was all business, as Stern declined to give the usual opening statement and skipped straight to questions from the media. Stern reaffirmed the core of the U.S. position at the UN climate negotiations, that any legally binding outcome “would apply to at least all [...]
Where We Stand
Posted on 08. Dec, 2010 by astark in U.S.A.
Negotiators have been working feverishly over the past several days trying to prepare an unbracketed negotiating text with several options clearly outlined on the most contentious issues. The text will be turned over to high-level ministers to resolve these remaining issues by Friday. On Monday and Tuesday, negotiators worked behind closed doors in small groups [...]