Efficiency First

The latest in a series of dispatches from the 2009 climate change summit sent to us by Amy L. Jarvis of Environmental Resources Management

What an exciting morning … things are really heating up here (pardon the terrible pun) with various groups getting passionate about their requests for this group at the COP to address issues according to climate change.

This morning (apart from China passionately stating they were “very angry” that their minister had been turned away at the door) the opening discussion lead into a request from a small country within the South Pacific, Tuvalu. Tuvalu, with the backing of the United States,  Australia, Japan, Costa Rica and many small island nations, proposed to introduce a new document that would align itself with the Kyoto protocol. Meaning, a new document would have to be drafted and agreed upon (which could take several years) by all delegations agreeing to a legally binding agreement in which all countries are obligated to the conditions.

The Kyoto protocol was never implemented by law in the U.S. but we accept it. This new document would legally bind us to the conditions, which is a large step in one direction, whichever way you take it. For the U.S., this could be a long jump in either progress tackling climate change or towards obligating us financially to something we may not have money for.

Interesting points to the Tuvalu proposition:

• Legally binding
• Shared vision that global temperatures shall remain under 150 degrees Celsius
• Stabilize CO2 emissions to 350 ppm
• Initiate five sectors within the proposal addressing the following: mitigation, redevelopment, adaptation, insurance, technology.
• Check the Web for a copy of his speech. It was pretty eloquent.

The proposal created a severe divide between countries that support Tuvalu and countries (mostly oil-producing nations plus India and China) that state the Kyoto protocol is good enough. The high point was when COP President Connie Haarsgaard stated she wanted the resolution to Tuvalu’s proposition to be addressed in an informal meeting (no legal obligations). Tuvalu actually stated that they do not accept the ruling and to suspend the COP (or that immediate discussion) until an agreement can be made. The whole room gasped and shouting started outside. “Tuvalu! Tuvalu!”

So far an agreement has NOT been made (and it may never will), but everyone at the COP is very curious to the outcome. We will see. But one thing for sure. It seems as though there is a large divide between the U.S., India, China and Saudi Arabia. Hmm…

Other notes:

South Africa will host COP-17 (COP-16 is going to be in Mexico City)
Interesting sight: EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson gave a speech this afternoon at the U.S. Center here. She delivered the U.S.goals and actions, including mention of the new endangerment finding issued by the EPA yesterday. I wasn’t able to get into the room to hear the questions asked to her, but I do know that the first question was asked on behalf of a very large U.S. chemical manufacturing company. Let’s see how that goes as well.

Until tomorrow!

– Amy L. Jarvis