Centre for Social Markets at the UNFCCC Bangkok – Day 7Report [05 Oct 2009]
HEADLINE NEWS
Informal consultations (without observers) seem likely in Shared Vision and Mitigation sections.
Technology section makes good progress. Many make constructive suggestions to strengthen text. Chair says work here should inspire rest of contact groups.
Parties put forth various numbers on long-term targets for Shared Vision.
Adaptation text could be up for drafting tomorrow. Shorter text to be out by Thursday.
United States puts out a new proposal for financial mechanism.
KEY ISSUES OF THE DAY
Whilst the negotiations are confronted with the practical problem of lengthy text that makes it relatively ‘un-useable’ for Copenhagen, there is also the political issue of the lack of commitments on finance or emission reduction targets being put forward by Annex I Parties.
However, the first day of the second week of negotiations began with some progress being made in the areas of Technology Transfer, Shared Vision, Adaptation and Finance. Overall, the text has been cut down, and is structured better than it was last Monday. There is therefore the potential to end this week with a negotiating text.
In the corridors we hear the need for dynamism to be injected into the process, and this would truly be reflected if negotiators stayed late, and sat down to draft more text. While that has not happened as yet, the EU Head of Delegation Turesson Anders indicated, said that negotiations were making some, albeit insufficient, progress. However, the China Head of Delegation Yu Qingtai indicated that industrialized countries as a whole were trying to change the rules of play weeks before the deadline for a new climate pact.
On Technology Transfer, Parties and the Chair agreed that it was important not to reinsert text that would effectively take us ‘one step back’, but to set a good example and to provide ‘good vibes’ for the rest of the negotiations. This is text on which there is significant convergence, but many Parties including Canada and Pakistan saying there was a need to concentrate on institutional mechanisms.
On Shared Vision, Parties met once again. This session focused on the long-term global goal as well as the nature of the flow of the text. Most Parties reiterated their (or their group) positions, with AOSIS asking for a target based on science and the precautionary principle. The EU emphasized that a peak was also an important criteria. Many Parties indicated that a 50% reduction in emissions from 1990 levels by 2050 was the desired level of ambition, with AOSIS asking for developed countries to cut their emissions by 95% below 1990 levels by 2050, and for clear mid-term targets. Of the Parties that spoke, Norway was the only country that mentioned a base year of 2000, and Saudi Arabia was the Party that raised the issue regarding vulnerability also implying economic vulnerability (possibly a direct reference to themselves).
The relatively big news on Finance was a new proposal on funding and mechanisms, proposed by the United States. The US provided a detailed elaboration of its proposal which would build on existing institutions (such as the GEF, the LDCF, SCCF and Multilateral Banks), and have an operating entity consistent with the Convention. Papua New Guinea brought to attention the overt focus in the text on just mitigation and adaptation, to include other sectors. The step back in the Finance section included a re-inclusion of text, annexes, and some new text.
The US has also made a submission in the mitigation section, on MRVs for both developed and developing countries, with enhanced National Communications with low carbon pathway plans, review by expert panels and presentations by Parties to the SBI.
Key developments within the US that may have a bearing on the negotiations here, including the US Senate bill to move for a national policy on climate change – hopefully before Copenhagen. The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a new cap on greenhouse gas emissions from some of the largest polluters. These two tracks will together help reducing emission reductions in the US. But will this help the world get a fair and binding agreement on climate change – that will still be answered only at Copenhagen, or hopefully, by Barcelona.
Focus on the GOI
India shone through in the technology section under the LCA track today, with the Chair (who provided superlative congratulations to many countries) saying the constructive suggestions were magnificent.
India indicated that the text on technology was good, with several areas of convergence. That this provided a basis on which to work. However, there was a need to convert the Bali Action Plan and the Marrakesh accords into accelerated and action oriented work.
This could be made possible through robust financial arrangements that could be linked to the finance discussion. However, the GoI Delegate indicated that there was a real need for roadmaps (as the United States also indicated), and for developing countries to enumerate what technology and actions need to be financed. As for the operational details, the delegate indicated these procedural issues could be finalized after Copenhagen.
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