The Copenhagen Accords

http://tropicalforestgroup.org/pdf/copenhagen_accords_final.pdf

The latest...

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/19/science/earth/19climate.html?hp

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8421935.stm

Latest draft of the "Copenhagen Accord"

http://www.scribd.com/doc/24287087/The-Latest-Draft-Political-Agreement-at-Copenhagen

Obama Presses China on Rules for Monitoring Emissions Cuts

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/19/science/earth/19climate.html?hp

draft text from COP 15

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/091218copenhagen_accord.pdf

COP 15 continues through the weekend

COP 15 continues...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8421652.stm

COP 15 Tropical Forest Group

TFG worked tirelessly on following and contributing to discussion on REDD throughout the negotiations. This group amazed and inspired me and I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to go to COP 15 with them.

Here is a link to the draft text by the United States, the EU, Mexico, Australia, and others that was rejected due to 1) a lack of commitment to a legally binding treaty, and 2) developing countries being unclear of how much pledged aid for adaptation will come from public financing.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/richardblack/images/091218_cop15_declaration.pdf

Mitigation, Transparency, and Financing: Obama's COP 15 Speech December 18th

Obama's speech this morning

"Good morning. It's an honor to for me to join this distinguished group
of leaders from nations around the world. We come together here in
Copenhagen because climate change poses a grave and growing danger to
our people. You would not be here unless you - like me - were convinced
that this danger is real. This is not fiction, this is science.
Unchecked, climate change will pose unacceptable risks to our security,
our economies, and our planet. That much we know.

So the question before us is no longer the nature of the challenge - the
question is our capacity to meet it. For while the reality of climate
change is not in doubt, our ability to take collective action hangs in
the balance.

I believe that we can act boldly, and decisively, in the face of this
common threat. And that is why I have come here today.

As the world's largest economy and the world's second largest emitter,
America bears our share of responsibility in addressing climate change,
and we intend to meet that responsibility. That is why we have renewed
our leadership within international climate negotiations, and worked
with other nations to phase out fossil fuel subsidies. And that is why
we have taken bold action at home - by making historic investments in
renewable energy; by putting our people to work increasing efficiency in
our homes and buildings; and by pursuing comprehensive legislation to
transform to a clean energy economy.

These actions are ambitious, and we are taking them not simply to meet
our global responsibilities. We are convinced that changing the way that
we produce and use energy is essential to America's economic future -
that it will create millions of new jobs, power new industry, keep us
competitive, and spark new innovation. And we are convinced that
changing the way we use energy is essential to America's national
security, because it will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and help
us deal with some of the dangers posed by climate change.

So America is going to continue on this course of action no matter what
happens in Copenhagen. But we will all be stronger and safer and more
secure if we act together. That is why it is in our mutual interest to
achieve a global accord in which we agree to take certain steps, and to
hold each other accountable for our commitments.

After months of talk, and two weeks of negotiations, I believe that the
pieces of that accord are now clear.

First, all major economies must put forward decisive national actions
that will reduce their emissions, and begin to turn the corner on
climate change. I'm pleased that many of us have already done so, and
I'm confident that America will fulfill the commitments that we have
made: cutting our emissions in the range of 17 percent by 2020, and by
more than 80 percent by 2050 in line with final legislation.

Second, we must have a mechanism to review whether we are keeping our
commitments, and to exchange this information in a transparent manner.
These measures need not be intrusive, or infringe upon sovereignty. They
must, however, ensure that an accord is credible, and that we are living
up to our obligations. For without such accountability, any agreement
would be empty words on a page.

Third, we must have financing that helps developing countries adapt,
particularly the least-developed and most vulnerable to climate change.
America will be a part of fast-start funding that will ramp up to $10
billion in 2012. And, yesterday, Secretary Clinton made it clear that we
will engage in a global effort to mobilize $100 billion in financing by
2020, if - and only if - it is part of the broader accord that I have
just described.

Mitigation. Transparency. And financing. It is a clear formula - one
that embraces the principle of common but differentiated responses and
respective capabilities. And it adds up to a significant accord - one
that takes us farther than we have ever gone before as an international
community.

The question is whether we will move forward together, or split apart.
This is not a perfect agreement, and no country would get everything
that it wants. There are those developing countries that want aid with
no strings attached, and who think that the most advanced nations should
pay a higher price. And there are those advanced nations who think that
developing countries cannot absorb this assistance, or that the world's
fastest-growing emitters should bear a greater share of the burden.

We know the fault lines because we've been imprisoned by them for years.
But here is the bottom line: we can embrace this accord, take a
substantial step forward, and continue to refine it and build upon its
foundation. We can do that, and everyone who is in this room will be a
part of an historic endeavor - one that makes life better for our
children and grandchildren.

Or we can again choose delay, falling back into the same divisions that
have stood in the way of action for years. And we will be back having
the same stale arguments month after month, year after year - all while
the danger of climate change grows until it is irreversible.

There is no time to waste. America has made our choice. We have charted
our course, we have made our commitments, and we will do what we say.
Now, I believe that it's time for the nations and people of the world to
come together behind a common purpose.

We must choose action over inaction; the future over the past - with
courage and faith, let us meet our responsibility to our people, and to
the future of our planet. Thank you."

Obama arrives at Bella Center.

Okay, so I admit, I didn't actually take this picture (I borrowed from the NY times - see post below), but Obama did make it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/19/science/earth/19climate.html?hp

Rather than making a public address upon arrival as planned he immediately entered closed door negotiations. Wen Jimbao, Prime Minister of China, has boycotted these talks signaling a continued divide between China and the U.S. despite shifts in China's position and Hillary Clinton's recent pledge of up to 100 billion a year to developing countries for adaptation to climate change. This pledge though is contingent on 1) that a comprehensive political agreement is reached in Copenhagen and 2) that all nation's must agree to some system of verification or transparency.

Besides China, it looks like Ecuador is also skeptical of the United States' position (see NY times article attached)

"Fander Falconí, Ecuador’s foreign minister, was skeptical of the American financial offer.

“What we really need are firm mechanisms to reduce emissions from industrialized countries,” he said. “Financial mechanisms are useful, but not central, not a solution.”"

Let's hope something comes out of this!

Freezing toes, Italian Prime Minister, and Robot Police

For a good new story on the updates of COP 15 check out:

www.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8415307.stm

I didn't get in the Bella Center today, but got blocked off just as I was about to enter due to a large protest inside the building. 500 or so people walked out of the center chanting "Climate Justice Now" in response to the slow progress and low levels of funding promised by developed nations for adaptation and other financing to developing countries. The Danish police blocking us off had no idea what was going on, and I kind of felt sorry for them as everyone started shouting at them after we had been waiting for 30 minutes, and hour, 1.5 hours, 2 hours... I was right up against the gate feeling like I was in a crowded soccer game not an international conference. Behind me, the Italian Prime Minister, the Governer of Mexico City, and countless other party delegate members were not allowed to go in either. People were outraged. Finally, the Italian Prime Minister and Mexican delegation were pushed through (literally pushed!!) and allowed to climb over the baracade. 2.5 hours later when they finally started letting people in again, the Danish police officer said in a loud Arnold S. type monotone voice, "NO NGOs, only party members." I shrugged and decided that at least I would stop freezing and would not be smashed to death, but several other NGO members protested and tried to get in - I saw one guy literally get kicked on his back by a Danish police officer. Apparently later, tear gas was used, although it's not clear whether this was used against delegates as well as protestors marching from the capital.

In other news, the Danish Minister Connie Hedegaard resigned as Summit president which Denmark is saying is part of the process, but others speculate tensions between here and other members of the Danish goverment.

I hope through all of this some kind of deal is reached. On Tuesday, I had opposite luck from today and was lucky enough to get a pass to see the opening Plenary session where Ban Ki-Moon, Prince Charles, Yvo De Boere, and others, spoke about the need to take action now, that "the world is watching," that we need to "stop formalities" and "seal a deal." Prince Charles talked extensively of the need to ensure funding for REDD (reducing emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) as the most effective way to combat climate change in the short-term (as deforestation accounts for 20% of emissions). I thought all of this was an excellent sign, but REDD advocates were dissappointed that he did not put forward an actual dollar to be pledged by developed countries for financing for this and other programs in developing countries.

All of my things are still in the Bella Center from yesterday - hopefully I'll be able to get it tonight, if the place is not still barracaded, and will post more pics and talk more about the opening session and other events. Hope/pray/send postive thoughts for a deal here in Copenhagen. As said by lots of people over this week, this really is one of, if not the, defining issue of our generation determining whether we are strong enough to "save the world." In the mean time, ride a bike!

It's like waiting in line to buy tickets for the concert of the year outside the Bella Center today. I managed to get myself up early enough to make it through the crowd and get inside (I think I accidentally got in the expedited press line, but no one noticed:)!

REDD negotiations

While overall negotiations are slow and came to a complete stop yesterday due to ongoing dispute between developing and developed countries, REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation in Developing Countries) negotiations went forward. Here's a briefing from John-O Niles, Director of the Tropical Forest Group:

"Earth Runs with REDD and Hangs in Balance
As climate change negotiations in Copenhagen drew to a screeching stop,
nations of the world made unprecedented progress to tackle deforestation.
The latest UN text on reducing emissions from deforestation in developing
countries (REDD) made enormous strides since earlier versions of the
agreement last week.
"We needed two critical pieces of text to catapult into a world where
developing nations could see real value for saving tropical forests," said
John O. Niles, director of the Tropical Forest Group. "Forests and forest
peoples worldwide need "early action" language to fast track financing to
save forests immediately. And the agreement needs clarification that
national forest reference emissions levels will be discussed and decided
with concrete timelines. Both of these critical dimensions of a new global
forest paradigm are now very much in play."
The new REDD text in the UN process is still being negotiated, and brackets
remain around these two key issues. The text from last week
<http://tropicalforestgroup.org/policy_pages/cop_15_press.html> did not
have language to force decisions on reference forest emissions levels. These
reference levels would set the level of deforestation developing nations
must get below for new conservation funding. The text was discussed until
nearly 3:00 in the morning.
Cara Peace, Tropical Forest Group's Assistant Director for Policy, said
"Saving tropical forests has positively catalyzed the climate change
negotiations - it is the only beacon in an otherwise dark night."
Although the larger negotiations for a new climate change accord have
stalled, REDD is the most advanced sector to meaningfully incentivize
national reductions in emissions. The current UN text on tropical forests
would also be a historic agreement with strong safeguards for indigenous
peoples and local forest communities. At almost 2:00 am local time, the Holy
See helped facilitate language on indigenous peoples rights under a REDD
deal.
Another diplomat outside the talks said there are talks aimed at a new fund
of many billions of dollars to support tropical forest conservation over the
next five years.

Said Mr. Niles, "The forest diplomats are doing their job. Now they need a
new Copenhagen accord to synchronize with and that is what the more than 100
confirmed heads of state are coming here to do.""

Pictures from inside and outside the Bella Center throughout COP 15

Here are some pictures from Copenhagen and from inside the Bella Center where the COP 15 is taking place. The slogan "Hopenhagen" has been taken up by the city with the hope that an effective agreement will be reached. One of the greatest things about Copenhagen are the amazing bike lanes and the amount of people who bike commute. At 7 am it's completely dark, and absolutely too cold, but people all over commute to work by bicycle. It's fantastic. Just imagine if Hawai'i or San Diego were to put in bike lanes all over the city/island - what if a bike lane connected L.A. to San Diego, Mililani Town to Honolulu... if Danes can bike commute in freezing temperatures, surely, with the right city planning, those of us from warm places would enjoy doing it too! I do realize that Denmark isn't Sweden, but just liked the sign:)

From Copenhagen

I've had a few emails inquiring whether I've been detained by the Copenhagen police during Saturday's protest. Thanks for the concern - it was amazing to see, but sad that an overall very peaceful event turned partly sour with over 1000 arrests. The above picture shows the march in central Copenhagen.

I've been meaning to sit down and complete a blog, but keep getting interrupted by interesting things to see and people to meet here in the Bella Center. Right now I'm sitting in a room waiting to hear Al Gore speak about sea level rise. I am lucky enough to have attended the event here before on REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) in the Amazon region. On my way Eric, from Norway, a representative of the International Natural Gas Union, informed me that Al Gore will be speaking and that I shouldn't go get lunch. I am starving, but think I can manage...

Before I sign off, I'll post my half-written post from last Friday....

I'm sitting here in one of the many COP 15 cafe areas watching hundreds of groups of people huddling around laptops as thousands of others meander by on their way to meetings or to wander around the NGO exhibits. Of course the most important part of this conference is the actual negotiation of an at least politically binding agreement, but since you can get all the up to date info on this by logging on to the NY times, BBC, or COP 15 website, I thought I'd talk a bit about what it's like just being here. First, I should say that, as part of an observer organization, I don' t actually get to go in the closed negotiation rooms that are reserved for official party members - but, I do get to be in the conference center, attend a lot of amazing talks, meet interesting people, and watch 30,000? people hustle about. I also stopped by the People's climate summit yesterday, an alternative event in Copenhagen that is focusing on grassroots approaches to mitigating climate change. While it's easy to be frustrated about how slow change comes about, it is really amazing to see so many people rallied around coming to an agreement of how to lessen the impacts of climate change.

The highlight of my experience here so far has been having lunch with Vilma (I didn't get her last name), a Jamaican diplomat. At a crowded cafeteria, she randomly sat at my table and I asked her about how the negotiations were going - she told me about her views, as diplomat of an island nation, on what she would like a final agreement to look like. Basically, they (G77 countries and island states) are supporting an extension and strengthening of the Kyoto Protocol - they would like to see developed countries commit to reducing emissions 45% below 1990 levels and also offer substantial financing to developing countries for forest conservation and sustainable development. While the EU has agreed to cut emissions by 30% below 1990 levels, the U.S. suggests a cut of 17% below 2005 levels (4% below 1990 levels) and neither are offering near the funding that G77 countries would like to see. Vilma expressed her frustration, as part of an island nation extremely vulnerable to climate change, at the low level of commitment by developed in agreeing to effective emission cuts and financing mechanisms. She told me about the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, a Pacific nation with the highest point 4 m above sea level, tearing up while presenting his stance on his island nation's future given climate change-induced sea level rise. For small islands, like Tuvalu, Palau, Jamaica, Maldives, etc., climate change isn't trendy or an abstract theory, it has the potential to completely destroy their homelands, leaving them no where to go. Unlike continents, where people can move inland, in these islands, they will have no where to go. With this, comes the other point of contention among developed and developing countries - The countries who have historically emitted the least amount of carbon, are the ones who will suffer most from climate change leading to the question of should and how should industrialized countries who are responsible for the vast majority of carbon emissions be held responsible.

Another highlight so far has been Jane Goodall's talk on the potential of carbon markets to provide alternatives to deforestation through REDD (reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation)! I'll attach more pictures soon!

Copenhagen here I come....

Hello! I'm Leah, a Geography grad student at SDSU and UCSB on my way to

the COP 15 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark as part of the Tropical Forest Group's (TFG) delegation. TFG is a non-profit conservation organization based out of San Diego that works to protect tropical forests, improve the lives of local people, and fight climate change - (http://www.tropicalforestgroup.org/html_pages/meet_tfg.html). Among other things, TFG will be working on details of REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation), an initiative that will compensate developing countries for reducing deforestation rates. In January I'll be heading to Ecuador to start my field work looking at soil carbon in highland Andean grasslands (páramos) so I'll also be poking around for information on how ecosystems that store lots of carbon below ground might be included in the upcoming climate agreement. I really wish I could swim to Copenhagen to avoid the massive carbon footprint involved in making this trip in the first place, but alas realize that in trying to be a part of the solution I am also a big part of the problem! This is the great irony of this conference - while a legally binding climate agreement will be key for for reducing greenhouse gas emissions on a big scale over the long-term, the carbon footprint behind the international travel and living arrangements required to make this happen is enormous (equal to the total carbon emissions from Morrocco in 2006). The Danish government plans to "offset" these emissions by replacing outdated brick kilns in Bangledash with 20 new ones, saving about 50,000 tons of CO2 a year (about the equivalent of emissions from the conference itself). On the ground, the conference is trying to be as "green" as can be - bikes for hire, no conference bags, "carbon-neutral hotdogs made in factories where pig manure fuels the electricity," energy efficient hotel rooms... and the list goes on. I leave for Copenhagen tomorrow so should have some interesting updates on this and more soon!