17 December - The chill factor

Environment

17.12.2009

by Jan Simmen

Dossier index

Copenhagen 2009

Hopes of a viable climate deal in Copenhagen are rapidly cooling as major player China moves to join the G77 countries in objecting to Denmark’s handling of the negotiating process. Our correspondent Jan Simmen is on the spot following the latest developments as they unfold:

7:49 AM Cold Copenhagen

Cold and heavy snow have buried everything during the night in Denmark. All the major roads are blocked, and snowfall of up to two metres has brought traffic to a standstill. The trains are either not running at all or have major delays.

The snow helped police during the night. It meant the planned protests did take place. According to the Danish police, it was thanks to the snow that there were no riots last evening.

The chill is prevailing not only outside the Bella Centre where the summit is being held, but also inside. After a long night negotiators and politicians are now going to bed.

Activists huddle in the cold

Photo: Ecolabs (flickr)

Today seems to be critical, if an agreement is to be reached.

But most of the NGOs that Euranet has spoken so far have been highly critical of the process. Oxfam, for example, believe the COP15 is the wrong track. NGOs say that there is too much focus on emissions targets and too little on new technology.

It is hard to see whether the negotiations are on the wrong track. It's actually hard to see any tracks at all. There are simply too many people who disagree about too much.

8:49 AM China says no climate agreement

There is no possibility, according to China, of a viable, operational climate agreement being signed in Copenhagen. The Chinese have also criticized the Danish COP15 presidency.

The Chinese would prefer to close the conference with a brief statement. The Chinese decision was preceded by discussions with the G77 developing countries.

The announcement comes from an unnamed Chinese official involved in negotiations in Copenhagen. He told Reuters that one could conclude with "a short political statement of some sort." The official also said that China was still committed to trying to achieve a breakthrough in negotiations, which may culminate in the signing of a more meaningful agreement.

This announcement comes as numerous world leaders are headed to Copenhagen, hoping to reach a climate agreement.

The country told the Danish COP15 Presidency last night that it would stand together with the G77 countries. Denmark is currently trying to produce several simplified negotiating texts, so that the 120 world leaders can reach an agreement during Thursday and Friday.

9:05 AM - Denmark drops hopes for a climate deal

Denmark no longer believes it is possible to get a climate deal at the Copenhagen Summit. The stumbling block is the G77 developing countries and states such as China, India and Brazil.

The Danish Presidency has been unable to assemble a group of countries to press for an agreement. It failed in its plan to present a compromise draft of the agreement yesterday.

It has not been possible to get people together for a common agreement. There will be a big agreement just for show. In fact, Denmark is not even guiding the process now, said sources at Danish DR News. Instead, they are focusing on the next climate summit.