Fwd: [KYOTOplus:31] Copenhagen Update

[kwic]

>>> "Ruth Edwards" <ru...@kyotoplus.ca> 16/12/2009 1:03 pm >>>
Hello KYOTOplus!



This is a brief synopsis of the current state of play in Copenhagen
for
those not able to closely follow events there.



State of Play



It is fair to say that a state of chaos exists both outside and inside
the
negotiations. Country statements to the conference plenary begin
today.
Minister Prentice is scheduled to give Canada’s statement tomorrow
(Thursday) night. PM Harper leaves today.



Proposals are flying around as ministers and their negotiators try to
address major divisions on the same points that have prevented an
agreement
from the beginning - developing and developed country targets,
financing for
developing countries, the which mechanism(s) will be used – the UN
Framework, Kyoto Protocol or both? CAN continues to push for both.
Ban Ki
Moon is calling for extending Kyoto at least until a new binding treaty
is
in place. You can read his speech to the plenary here
http://unfccc.int/files/meetings/cop_15/statements/application/pdf/speech_op

ening_hls_cop15_ban_ki_moon.pdf. Yvo de Boer is also calling for Kyoto
to
be extended in order to avoid the gap between agreements that everyone
agrees would be a disaster
http://unfccc.int/files/press/news_room/statements/application/pdf/091215_sp

eech_openinghlscop15.pdf. Canada is, of course, vehemently opposed to
any
extension of Kyoto as it has no intention of meeting its KP targets or
complying with KP enforcement mechanisms. A host of sub-issues are
also in
play around agriculture, recording mitigations in developing
countries,
national forest monitoring, gender and others.



As a result of unprecedented public mobilization (CONGRATULATIONS!),
provincial and municipal leadership and one well-timed government leak
(see
attached), Canada has become the scourge of the industrialized world
on
climate change. Minister Prentice will be speaking to an unfriendly
audience both inside and outside the Bella Centre tomorrow. All sorts
of
side events and media events will happen today, tomorrow and Friday,
but it
has essentially become a waiting game, especially given the virtual
lock-out
of civil society.



Civil Society Participation



Protests are underway outside with police violence being reported.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BF19F20091216

http://www.thestar.com/news/sciencetech/environment/copenhagensummit/article

/739488--hundreds-arrested-as-climate-talks-sour



With the negotiations morphing into an unprecedented Heads of State
meeting,
a civil society delegation of more than 15,000 NGO representatives is
being
whittled down to just 500 by Friday . Climate Action Network Canada
will be
allowed just three but eminently qualified people inside: Dale
Marshall
(David Suzuki Foundation) Matthew Bramley (Pembina) and Steven
Guilbeault
(Équiterre).



The importance of having guaranteed access to UNFCCC sessions from
beginning
to end cannot be over-stated. NGOs are not provided with opportunities
to
participate meaningfully in other bi-lateral /multi-lateral processes
where
major decisions on climate change are made – G8/G20/ Major Emitters
Meetings/APEC etc. It is precisely because we have access to
working
group meetings and back corridor conversations that we can develop and
implement informed, timely strategies. Without this information we
simply
cannot hold governments accountable.



CAN International has sent a formal letter of complaint (attached).



It is important that we do not allow the lock-out to distract media
from the
main story, i.e. getting a fair, ambitious and binding treaty. We
can
discuss how KYOTOplus organizations might want to support a demand for
full
access to future COPs in the New Year.



Here is a selection of press releases, videos and statements FYI:



CAN Canada press conference video on leaked cabinet document:
http://www6.cop15.meta-fusion.com/kongresse/cop15/templ/play.php?id_kongress

main=1
<http://www6.cop15.meta-fusion.com/kongresse/cop15/templ/play.php?id_kongres

smain=1&theme=unfccc&id_kongresssession=2568>
&theme=unfccc&id_kongresssession=2568



CAN International media briefing today:
http://www3.cop15.meta-fusion.com/kongresse/cop15/templ/play.php?id_kongress

main=1
<http://www3.cop15.meta-fusion.com/kongresse/cop15/templ/play.php?id_kongres

smain=1&theme=unfccc&id_kongresssession=2648>
&theme=unfccc&id_kongresssession=2648



Photos, video from Tcktcktck’s multimedia centre website:
http://live.tcktcktck.org/multi-media



WWF Press release: On Track to the Curse of Copenhagen:
http://www.panda.org/wwf_news/?184282/On-track-to-the-curse-of-Copenhagen--c

ure-of-Copenhagen-still-within-reach



Tzeporah Berman’s daily blog: http://www.zerocarboncanada.ca/



John Kerry’s speech today:
http://www.kerry.senate.gov/cfm/record.cfm?id=320808







I will send another update when warranted by events….





Ruth



Ruth Edwards

KYOTOplus Outreach Coordinator

613-241-1410

ru...@kyotoplus.ca

www.kyotoplus.ca <http://www.kyotoplus.ca/>



cid:image0...@01C94FBE.8664BFE0



Act now for the future







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