Nothing's changed much in the past twenty years of climate talks. As night falls in Lima, this COP is once again defined as a battle between rich v poor with the big guns holding onto their wallets while the world's most vulnerable man the drums in a primordial bid for climate justice
Once again, the UN Climate Talks continue past deadline with environmental groups and developing countries holding out little hope of a framework emerging which will adequately addressing the key issues.
The Summit's President Pulgar Vida remains optimistic, however, that the talks will not continue through Saturday.
The parties agree that we are not going to leave this COP [Conference of the Parties, the name for the annual UN climate summits] with empty hands, that by of the end of this COP we are going to have a good outcome… and the agreement of a new global text.
I am completely optimistic that we can deal with some of the objections and that by the end of today we are going to have a strong outcome, we should avoid for the future, for the next year, a sense of frustration, a sense of anxiety and anguish which we have already suffered in the past, so the best way to do that is to take a decision today. (Source: The Guardian)
As the talks continued, climate activists staged a “die-in” for the voices of the ignored earlier today, to highlight how far governments were from addressing the needs and rights of people impacted by climate change.
“We are already suffering massive devastation, loss of lives, and displacement of communities, with just 0.8 degrees of warming," said Gerry Arances of the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice. "Science is saying it still possible to limit warming to below 1.5 degrees which is the absolute limit we can accept. Even that will mean far worse consequences for our people than what they are already experiencing. But governments are no longer talking about a global goal. This outcome in Lima is unacceptable to the people of Asia.”
Now two weeks into the Lima talks, negotiators are falling short of their task to create a mutually acceptable framework for the UNFCCC 2015 Paris Agreement. As expected a key wedge issue remains what should be included in each nation's "Intended Nationally Determined Contributions" (INDCs), due by the end of March 2015: Developing countries want to be sure adaptation financing is included while developed countries are striving to lessen their commitment to carbon cuts.
Developed countries, most particularly the EU, are also asking that a review process (ex-ante review) be established before signing any agreement.
The BBC reports that many countries fear the concept of differentiation, which was introduced by the UNFCCC in 1992, is being diluted in the new text.
"This whole exercise is not meant to rewrite the convention, this is a firm basic position of the G77," said Antonio Marcondes, Brazil's representative at the talks. We stand behind the differentiation, we stand behind 'common but differentiated responsibilities', these are issues we hold very strong and these are definite red lines." (Source)
Secretary of State John Kerry, in a speech before the COP yesterday said no country should have a "free pass".
"I know this is difficult for developing nations. We have to remember that today more than half of emissions are coming from developing nations, so it is imperative that they act too."
Yet voices from the most threatened nations will not be silenced.
“The inaction of wealthy nations at the UN climate negotiations is outrageous. It flies in the face of the most vulnerable countries and communities suffering from the climate crisis. This is climate injustice," said Friends of the Earth International chairperson Jagoda Munic from Croatia.
Part II of the Lima Climate Talks Finale Live from Lima: "No COP is an Island"
|
The Climate Action Hub
Building upon the momentum generated by the People's Climate March, The Climate Action Hub focuses the energy and ideas that converged around the 2014 UN Climate Summit to engage civil participation in local, regional and global climate action. The Hub showcases NGOs, eco writers, scientists, bloggers and YOU in a group mission to amplify messaging and promote action on such issues as climate justice, sustainable development and clean energy. It will also serve as a forum for educating and informing the wider public and expand the civil movement to ensure success at the 2015 UNFCCC Paris Climate Summit. Please add any information on climate actions in comments below.
The Climate Action Hub at Daily Kos seeks volunteer ambassadors of climate activism to work on our 'eco swat team' in local communities and here at Daily Kos to disseminate information about the growing role of civil society in climate solutions. Join us here at Daily Kos to contribute your skills and experience. We need all hands on deck!
|
7:39 PM PT: #COP20 announcement on "further steps" due at 10pm, president consulting with ministers, ADP co-chairs now #COP20Lima
7:41 PM PT: #COP20 @manupulgarvidal asks for another hour of patience. Information now due in at 23h30. Stay tuned #UNFCCC late-nighters.
2 minutes ago
7:44 PM PT: Jamie Henn @Agent350
The firefighters are walking away from #COP20. There's a metaphor in there somewhere... pic.twitter.com/dR4R61XJfb 1 minute
8:03 PM PT: Elizabeth May MP @ElizabethMay
Update from #COP20. President's stock-taking moved to 11:30 pm. The wait continues... weary delegates can do nothing but wait. #climate
4 minutes ago
9:04 PM PT: Climate talks struggle into overtime: Delegates in Lima decide just one paragraph for final text on.ft.com/12EBxWr
6 minutes ago
9:05 PM PT: heather Lulu Maseko @lulumarsecko 10m10 minutes ago Peru
its 11:55 PM at the UN climate talks and countries failed to reach an agreement. Waiting for the decision made by the president #COP20Lima
0 replies 0 retweets 0 favorites
9:18 PM PT: Valerie Volcovici @ValerieVolco
a worrying sign: the COP cafeteria will be open until 4pm tomorrow though were asked to stay open till 8pm h/t @CatyArevalo #cop20
17 minutes ago
11:04 PM PT: Adil Najam @AdilNajam
Here's what at stake at #COP20 Those who had least to do with causing CC & r most at risk r being asked to pay for it pic.twitter.com/NIMyHbJroD
11:04 PM PT: Emily Williams @EmilyLyWilliams
....and all the negotiators walk out before #ADP started...eh, guys? Hey, guys? Should we follow you? #COP20
3 minutes ago
11:09 PM PT: Sébastien Duyck @duycks
co-chairs walking in, LMDCs huddle broke out: #COP20 is set to resume in a few minutes, stay tuned!
1 minute ago
@ClimateJustInfo climate-justice.info @ClimateJustInfo
G77 is meeting in the corridor after news that the new #COP20 text is out.
11:43 PM PT: Kees van der Leun @Sustainable2050 36s36 seconds ago
I'll need experts to point out the progress here. “@JPvanYpersele: NEW: Direct link to latest #COP20 draft decision http://unfccc.int/... …”
Sat Dec 13, 2014 at 12:00 AM PT: BBC overview of talks status Lima climate talks: Peru summit continues through night http://www.bbc.com/...