OUR FUTURES WERE BARGAINED AWAY IN THE NAME OF “GOOD” DIPLOMACY

In the International Conference Centre the negotiations dragged into overtime into Sunday morning. Many of the meetings were behind closed door, and the stunned looks on many of the people who wandered around the halls reflected the confusion about what was going on. We stayed until Sunday morning for the official outcome.

While Kyoto survived in the Durban Platform, it is held hostage by polluting nations and corporate interests. The world’s major emitters, Canada among them, refused to adopt new emissions targets resulting in a zombie Kyoto Protocol which covers only 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The Green Climate Fund is an empty piggy bank with no decision on the sources of finances. Should those nations in desperate need of adaptation financing shatter it they will find only the promises of the richest, most polluting nations. Unfortunately you can’t buy clean water, arable land and food security with promises.

Over the last two weeks my emotions rocketed up and down, like the value of the Down Jones during a volatile week on Wall Street. There were times of intense sadness, when negotiators started talking about postponing a new climate change deal until 2015 or even 2020. There were flashes of anger, when we got into a confrontation with Canada’s lead climate negotiator to look us in the eye and tell us he was negotiating in good faith on behalf of our generation. There were moments of powerful pride, when I watched the six members so the Canadian Youth Delegation stand up in plenary, turning their backs to Peter Kent as he addressed the conference.

I felt proud and incredibly privileged to be part of the Canadian Youth Delegation. In two weeks we have achieved amazing things. We received international headlines! We were so successful in admonishing Canada’s record on climate change that Peter Kent wrote an op-ed in a Durban newspaper trying to justify his position.

Yet, the Canadian government continues to bargain on behalf of big oil. We need to make this movement massive. The support that has flooded in over the internet and the ovations from students in a Vancouver school we skyped in has motivated all of us and proven that people back in Canada care deeply. We have to bring this momentum back to Canada, and make this movement impossible to ignore.

I left Durban 24 hours ago. While not surprising, Canada’s Environment Minister’s latest announcement is an outstanding example of our government’s loyal service to the fossil fuel industry. Just hours after returning from Durban, Kent blamed financial cost for a Canadian pull-out from the Kyoto Protocol. The truth is that inaction will be the real cost, both to our economy and to the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable communities. Our generation has to stand by as our future is sacrificed in the name of short-term profit.

To those who are waiting for climate change to be disproven, I would say that the science only becomes stronger every day. I am a member of the Canadian Youth Delegation and everywhere I went, I was asked to explain the actions and positions of my government on climate change. I cannot. I apologize on behalf of my government, but apologies will not save this situation.

It is up to my generation. We have to make the voices heard over the rumble of money and corruption. Please, consider participating in, or organizing, other actions. Consider joining environmental organizations or getting involved in the political process.

COP17 UPDATE – the never ending negotiations…

Sunday 5:29am: finally an outcome:

The Kyoto Protocol has survived in large part because of the positive momentum created by an alliance of the European Union, small island states and the least developed countries. However, countries were not able to agree of the length of the second commitment period – 5 or 8 years. Decision postponed until COP18. Countries have also agreed on the Green Climate Fund, but critical work still must be done to ensure it is not an empty shell. The Green Climate Fund is happening, but as an empty shell while fast-start funding runs out in 2013.

The Canadian Government has been the poster child of inaction at these talks, and although they no longer have the global credibility to have a meaningful impact here, they have be constantly singled out as a laggard and even a pariah in these negotiations.

Instead of waiting for country leaders and environment ministers to some grand bargain, we have to keep working on the ground. Progress is going to come from the bottom up, but not the top down.

The Durban outcome will NOT keep global warming below 2°C – we are on the pathway to 4°C. That’s just reality.

Now more than ever we must create a coalition of the willing in Canada between people, cities and provinces that understand the urgent need for action.

05:05am

The formal meeting commenced with the purpose to pass all outstanding texts, notably the KP and LCA texts deferred to the COP/CMP.

Amendment that the length of commitment period of for AWG-KP for the KP2 to be determined at next sitting of the group. Bolivia request to bracket elements of market mechanisms for LULUCF was disregarded by Papua New Guinea suggesting that they work together for non-market mechanisms. They are specifically concerned that there are market-based mechanisms that have not been decided on in the LCA. Bolivia requested that it be registered that it does not agree with this clause but would allow it to carry forward. However, the president did jump the gun a little bit and decided to pass the text before it could hear Bolivia’s registered objection. The text with the amendment passed.

The AWG-LCA was then presented to the COP for adoption. There were no objections so the text automatically passed. This agreement however entailed appointments to several commitments. The president suggested that parties submit nominations to the COP by 31 March 2012. Once the nomination is received they will be deemed elected.

The next item was then the adoption of the AWG – Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (DPEA). Russia suggested that they didn’t understand the informal and unannounced consultations that took place on this proposal, they claimed that this format was unacceptable under normal diplomatic practice. This, however was not an objection to the proposal but they wanted to know what sections was added to the text resulting from these consultations.

The president then presented a text on the establishment of a transitional committee for the Green Climate Fund. There was no objections so it was passed.

A report on SBSTA to take into account all undecided items was then presented. There were no objections so  it passed.

A report on SBI to take into account all undecided items was then presented. There were no objections so it was passed.

Negotiations under Long-term action

10:45pm

The long-term action negotiations for a future legally-binding agreement reveals a dirty deal and the winner are the developed countries.

The two major issues finance and adaption remain open. Adaptation is key to developing countries which already feel the impacts of climate change year after year the parties come to meet and discuss the issue of climate change. The most important instrument to help developing countries – the Green Climate Fund still remains empty although fast-start finance for climate change mitigation and adaptation is ending in 2013.

Developing countries pointed out that the world is losing sight of the urgency of adaptation and the inter-link age to finance. The Green Climate Fund needs to be operationalized but it is highly possible that negotiations around the Green Climate Fund will be postponed until next year.

Saudi Arabia criticized developed countries for carrying over the issue of finance to the G20 meeting next year in Mexico instead of finding a solution here in Durban.

Outcome open… text goes back to Ministers.

Negotiations under the Kyoto Protocol – outcome

9:25pm

Countries discussed wording of the text. The text does not seem to be ambitious enough. Developing countries call for legally-binding commitments not voluntary pledges.

Colombia stands with the EU. “We should admire their leadership. Don’t delay this – let’s get together again.”

ALBA doesn’t want to waste its time with consultations if parties cannot come to a truly legally-binding agreement. Brazil points out we are in difficult position where we need movement. We need a major breakthrough even bigger than the Berlin Mandate.

The night seems to go into another round of negotiations.

Plenary is closing and work has been concluded and Minister will go back into another round of negotiations is closed! No outcome! The text will be forwarded to the Conference of the Parties. Key issues are 2013-2017 vs. 2013-2020 and total ambition from developed countries. Developing countries would like to see ambition in order to prevent global warming from more than 2°C. Observers expected the text to be a bit more clean but the plenary session reveals that there is still a lot of work which needs to be done.

Right now the Kyoto Protocol is an empty shell which only includes the European Union while countries like Japan, Canada and Russia did not take on new targets under the Kyoto Protocol. The world is far away from tackling climate change. Countries have not adopted the text.

8:45pm:

We are sitting in the closing session of discussion of the Kyoto Protocol. The 2. period will run from 2013-2017 according to the text. Countries have been complaining they don’t have the most updated version of the text as well as that there is no text available other than in English. Bolivia complains that targets are not clear enough and some countries have not offered targets for 2. period of the Kyoto Protocol.

The Chair says some issues seem to be impossible to resolve here. The EU proposes a second commitment period from 2013-2020 taking into context the Long-Term Action negotiations. They want to prevent a gap between the end of the Kyoto Protocol and a new legally binding agreement which would start in 2020 according to the current LCA text.

South Africa is having a hard time managing all country positions.

Venezuela wants to see democracy in this process! The second commitment period is an empty shell so they can have a nice press conference. Applause in the plenary room.

EU: We are the only ones who are taking on a second commitment period.

Canada and United States share “Colossal Fossil”

Canada wins a Colossal Fossil by mathematical majority. The Canadian government has made headlines and earned criticism from the international community in Durban for refusing to sign onto a second Kyoto commitment period, calling critical climate financing “guilt payments,” and bullying least developed countries into leaving the Kyoto Protocol. And over the two week negotiation period, Canada has won a staggering total of 6 Fossil of the Day awards.  Mathematically, they are the undisputed winner of the 2011 Colossal Fossil award.

But when the Canadian Environment Minister announced Canada’s third fossil of COP 17 on the floor of the House of Commons, members of his Conservative government cheered and applauded. The minister brought that arrogance with him to Durban, where he’s maintained a hard line and refused to budge on a second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol and fought hard to put polluters before people.

The Government’s  lack of ambition or action to combat climate change is no laughing matter. Climate change is one of the most serious issues that humanity has ever faced, and it is already affecting millions of people – including many vulnerable communities in Canada.

And so, the United States of America wins a Colossal Fossil for sheer (un)ambition. For a country that in 2009 claimed to come back to the negotiations full of hope and change, it has mostly just brought more of the same – no commitments, no Kyoto, plenty of rhetoric, and minimal money. Whether because of a Republican Congress or an administration that hid behind it when its President and negotiators could have done more, we can only ‘hope’ that the U.S.A. ‘changes’ its stance and doesn’t spend the next 4 years earning Colossal Fossils like Canada spent the last 4.

Last night in Durban

Good morning from Durban

Everything is going to take place behind closed doors. Many of us have stayed up late to get their hands on the new texts. The European Union presented a text yesterday afternoon which put off a new legal regime until 2020 and only weakly supported the continuation of the Kyoto Protocol. It was rejected by most parties other than Australia, Canada and the United States. Mostly because the text did not include a timeline for ratification or indication of how to close the gap other than the EU and only the EU would commit to a second period of the Kyoto Protocol.

Now, 8 hours later we have a new texts for the Green Climate Fund and the working group for the Kyoto Protocol. The questions which remain open is who will govern the Green Climate Fund and where will the secretariat be located. It seems to be a major issue between developed countries and developing countries whether the World Bank should be the dealer of the Fund. The text does not make any indication about potential sources like a financial transaction tax or taxes from bunker fuels to fill the fund. It remains a big secret.

During the negotiations for a second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol India pointed out that they are astonished and disturbed by the comments of their colleague from Canada who was pointing at them as to why we are against the roadmap of the EU. India stated it is “disturbed to find that a legally binding Protocol to the Convention, negotiated 14 years ago is now being junked in a cavalier manner. Countries which have signed and ratified it are walking away without even a polite goodbye. And yet, pointing at others.”

A huge concern is that the current bigger picture text does not make any reference to “common but differentiated responsibilities” – It looks like some countries will get exactly what they are here for.

Negotiations will continue all Saturday. Stay tuned for more power plays!

Protest outside COP17 plenary

Here’s are some quick pics and a video from the action.

The people have gathered outside the negotiations room at COP17 to stand with Africa!

Talking green, walking dirty – a snapshot of Canada’s negotiation strategy

What looked like a positive shift yesterday, when the Environment Minister stated he would support a treaty by 2015 seemed to be only another distraction from on of the most destructive projects on earth.

Back home in Canada, the federal government has given the green light to a 9$ billion major mine project in the Alberta tar sands. Canada’s Natural Resources Minister announced yesterday that constructions can now start on Total E&P Canada’s Joslyn North tar sands mine.

Despite the Canadian Environment Minister statement that Canada thinks that climate change is a serious problem that needs to be tackled as soon as possible, the Canadian Delegation has faced criticism at COP17 since the first day.

Canada has stated that they will under no circumstances commit to a second-commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, the only legally-binding agreement we have to prevent catastrophic climate change. The Environment Minister also made remarks about developing countries who are feeling the worst effects of climate change need to do much more to prevent it, while Canada, who has been among countries with the highest per capita emissions for decades is unwilling to fulfill even small commitments it made in the past, completely disregarding the concept of common but differentiated responsibilities that this process is founded on.

Canada – you can’t have your cake and eat it too! Approving Total’s Joslyn tar sands mine during the UN climate summit in Durban is like a slap in the face for developing countries here at the international climate change negotiations.

The project will mean another one and a half million tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution each year, the equivalent to putting over 270,000 cars on the road.

There is no other way of describing Canada’s behaviour other than hypocritical. The extension of the tar sands represents the wrong direction if Canada is serious about tackling climate change. Canada’s reputation has already been battered on the world stage because we’re siding with big polluters instead of taking action on global warming, and this new tar sands mine is just another proof of who’s Canada cares mostly about – protecting their dirty fossil fuel industry.

In the past year alone, the government lobbied for the Keystone XL Pipeline and sought to weaken fuel standards in Europe. The expansion of the tar sands spells “game over for the climate,” however, the Canadian Government has publicly stated that its priority was coming to the negotiations to defend the tar sands – instead of working together with all countries to reach a fair and legally binding treaty.

While the rest of the world is desperate for a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol Canada’s Environment Minister seems to be the only person in Durban who thinks “that some countries may use the second Kyoto commitment to delay engagement on a new climate change regime,” – Canada’s favorite strategy – playing the blame game.

If Canada is really serious about tackling global warming this represents the wrong direction. Canada’s reputation has already been battered on the world stage because the current government is putting big polluters ahead of people.

Where is the Canada that once was well respected on the international stage? I don’t know but what I know is that it will be my generation who will pay the price for these failures.

“It Always Seems Impossible Until It’s Done”

I am streaming through the halls of the ICC in Durban looking for my future, a future of a rule-based, fair, multilateral system that will adequately deal with climate change.

I can hear the voices of progressive countries, the calls from small island states and least developed countries that 2020 is too late and that we need ambition now. With 24 hours left countries must leave with a mandate for a new legally-binding treaty to start in 2015 and a second commitment-period under the Kyoto Protocol with environmental integrity to close the gap. This means ensuring that Land-use, land-use change, and forestry and hot air loopholes don’t undermine our targets.

Ministers and negotiators, you must advance the demand of global society for effective action. And do not allow the United Sates and others to block progress.

You need to deliver a positive outcome of finance. That must include a filled Green Climate Fund, identification of bunkers and a financial transaction tax in developed countries as potential sources. Do not let the World Bank govern the Green Climate Fund but rather by the Conference of the Parties.

Youth and civil society from around the world are watching you today and remind you of the famous words of Nelson Mandela: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

Now it is up to you to decide about our future.