News: ‘Actors & Narratives’ Archive
‘COPENHAGEN – The largest and most important U.N. climate change conference in history opened Monday, with organizers warning diplomats from 192 nations that this could be the best, last chance for a deal to protect the world from calamitous global warming.’
via 192 nations at UN climate conference in Copenhagen – Yahoo! News.
Dec 6, Copenhagen
Yvo de Boer responded to a question suggesting that military expenses could be reallocated to pay down the enormous historical ’emissions debt’ owed by industrialized nations.
Text of response:
“I was hoping you were going to ask somebody else”
“I think the issues that you raise are very important but historic responsibility is an issue that’s been thoughout these negotiations and one that is very difficult one to deal with. I think that many people would share your sentiments on military spending and probably have a whole lot of ideas, especially on the eve of Christmas, on much better ways to use that money.”
“What I would advocate for this conference – in spite of all the attention – is keep it simple. Focus on an outcome that can deliver immediate action on the ground the day this conference ends. And what I want to see at the end of this conference is a list of rich country targets that are ambitious, clarity on what major developing countries will do to limit the growth of their emissions, and a list of financial pledges that will make it possible for the much broader developing nation community both to change the direction of their economic growth and to adapt to the inevitable impacts of climate change. That’s what I’m asking father Christmas for.”
Sunday, Dec 6 Copenhagen
Text:
‘I agree with Micheal that you can’t negotiate private capital, but you can drive private capital. And I think if countries here, if industrialized nations agree to a 25 to 40% cut by 2020, and also say they plan to reduce their by 80 to 85% by mid century, then anyone investing in the energy sector and industry not taking that into account would be mad. We know that over the next 20 or so years, about 20 trillion dollars is going to be invested in the energy sector as the world economy picks up. 85% of that investment is going to come from the private sector. And I think that those private sector investments will be guided by those short and long term goals. And if we can use the much more limited public money that will flow from Copenhagen to help the private sector to go that extra green mile that’s not possible within that a normal investment equation, we will have an excellent blending of financial resources to a much greater effect over the longer term.’
‘WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama will attend the end of the Copenhagen climate change summit, a late change of plan the White House attributed on Friday to growing momentum toward a new global accord.’
via Obama surprises with Copenhagen summit decision | Reuters.
‘The former Beatle and well-known vegetarian said the production of food — from farm to fork — accounts for 20 to 30 percent of global green house gas emissions. Livestock production is responsible for around half of these emissions.’
‘Dec. 4 Bloomberg — Nepal’s Cabinet issued a declaration on climate change after an outdoor meeting in the shadow of Mount Everest, in a region where shrinking glaciers threaten rivers essential to development in China, India and Pakistan.’
via Bloomberg.com: News.
‘In an interview with the Guardian, James Hansen, the world’s pre-eminent climate scientist, said any agreement likely to emerge from the negotiations would be so deeply flawed that it would be better to start again from scratch.’
via Copenhagen climate change talks must fail, says top scientist | Environment | The Guardian.
‘NEW DELHI: India on Thursday acquired the tag of a ‘‘responsible’’ global power in climate mitigation when it announced that it would reduce its carbon intensity levels by 20-25% on its 2005 levels over the next 11 years. But in the process, it has possibly taken a step that could restrict its economic options in the future.’
via India vows 20-25% carbon intensity cuts – The Times of India.
Also see India to slow carbon emissions growth by 20-25 pct – Yahoo! News.
‘NEW DELHI: India is not going to accept any legally binding emission reduction agreement at the Copenhagen climate summit, Minister of State for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh told the Lok Sabha on Thursday.’
via India not to sign legally binding emission agreement – India – The Times of India.
‘NEW DELHI/LONDON (Reuters) – China and other big developing nations rejected core targets for a climate deal such as halving world greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 just five days before talks start in Copenhagen, diplomats said on Wednesday.’
via Big Developing States Reject Copenhagen Climate Plan – NYTimes.com.