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.’
News Roundup
Video: Yvo de Boer at COP15 Opening press conference comments on public and private capital for green development.
December 6th, 2009Video: Yvo de Boer’s Opening Press Conference Statement at COP15.
December 6th, 2009Sunday Dec 6, Copenhagen.
Text of Statement:
Well, the time is up. Over the next two weeks governments have to deliver a strong and long term response to the challenge of climate change. And in doing so I see them delivering on three layers of action.
First of all, fast and effective implementation – right away, without delay – on adaptation, on technology, on capacity building in developing countries. Secondly, ambitious commitments to cut or limit emissions as well as start up financing for developing countries and a long term funding commitment. And third, a long term shared vision on a low emission future, for it’s on those three levels that those governments must deliver an ambitions response to climate change over the next two weeks.
I believe that negotiators now how the clearest signal ever from world leaders to craft a solid set of proposals to implement rapid action. Never in the seventeen years of climate change negotiations have so many different nations made so many firm pledges together. Almost every day now, countries announce new targets or plans of action to cut emissions, it’s simply unprecedented. I know two things for sure. First, there will be many more steps on the road to a safe climate future but also a few turning points. And Copenhagen must be such a turning point.Thank you.
Registration at the Bella Center
December 6th, 2009Copenhagen, Dec 6 2009
The COP15 participants streaming in to the Bella Center to register:
Arriving in Copenhagen
December 6th, 2009The plane into Copenhagen from Heathrow was packed yesterday afternoon, with a good percentage of the passengers en route to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, known as COP 15.
Today even larger numbers should be arriving, as Copenhagen gears up to receive the expected tens of thousands of COP 15 participants from all over the world. Special guides at the airport brandishing white COP15 T-shirts stood at the ready to provide info and assistance.
Roberto Sanchez was one of the 30 such guides covering the afternoon shift.
Other other not-so-welcoming preparations have taken place here. Anticipating large and potentially unruly demonstrations, police have displayed some 37 ‘cages’ capable of holding 370 people. The police will also be equipped with pepper spray and water cannons, a threatening measure considering the near freezing temperatures here in December.
An overcast “Sunrise” over the harbor in Copenhagen. There are just over 7 hours of sunlight per day this time of year.
Negotiators at Climate Talks Face Deep Fault Lines – NYTimes.com
December 6th, 2009‘Organizers had hoped to emerge with an international compact to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help countries most threatened by rising sea waters and temperatures. But the divisions between nations are such that world leaders agreed last month to put off resolving the most contentious issues until next year. They will try instead to reach a nonbinding interim agreement in Copenhagen, then work toward a binding treaty in 2010.’
via Negotiators at Climate Talks Face Deep Fault Lines – NYTimes.com.
Copenhagen: The Climate Summit – The Boston Globe
December 6th, 2009‘More than 190 countries will meet in the Danish capital from tomorrow through Dec. 18 to negotiate an international treaty to curb greenhouse gas emissions. The talks are the latest in a series of United Nations meetings dating back to 1992 to respond to man-made global warming, which scientists say is caused by the burning of fossil fuels. Here is a look at the science, the summit, and the stumbling blocks to reaching a deal there.’
Obama surprises with Copenhagen summit decision | Reuters
December 6th, 2009‘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.
Paul McCartney takes Meat-Free Mondays to EU – COP15
December 6th, 2009‘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.’
Nepalese Government Holds Meeting Near Mount Everest
December 5th, 2009‘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.
Copenhagen climate change talks must fail, says top scientist | Environment | The Guardian
December 4th, 2009‘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.