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New agents for progress emerge at UN climate talks in Accra
Accra, Aug. 27, Ghanadot/GNA - As UN
climate talks draw to a close, WWF is applauding “an
emerging group of visionary countries” for showing ways to
move the debate towards the right level of focus and detail.
While the mandate to agree a new global climate treaty by
2009 remains a gigantic challenge, WWF says the Accra talks
show that overcoming the muddle of conflicting views and
crafting an effective deal to tackle climate change is
possible and depends on the political will to show
leadership.
“Currently the glory in the global fight against climate
change is reserved for those progressive governments which
are getting the debate further down to the essentials,” says
Kim Carstensen, Director WWF Global Climate Initiative.
“The cumbersome talks in Accra did not stop a first group of
determined negotiators from working towards a critical shift
in the debate, but a success at the next climate talks in
Poznan, Poland, is far from secured, and we need to see more
countries engage seriously in lifting the political
ambitions.”
According to the global conservation organisation,
governments managed to push their critical discussions
closer to conclusions on some key issues: strategies are
shaping up to reduce CO2 emissions from the destruction of
forests, and talks about financing deep emission cuts and
adaptation to climate impacts gain clarity.
WWF, however, notes that other tracks of the complex
negotiations failed to progress in Accra and are falling
dangerously behind schedule.
“Smoke grenades thrown by backward parties and an overdose
of procedural discussions have paralyzed the climate talks
and overwhelmed negotiators for too long,” says Kathrin
Gutmann, Policy Coordinator WWF Global Climate Initiative.
“In Accra we start seeing the first positive examples of
constructive dialogue led by innovative parties, which
should become a solid trend in Poznan in December."
Accra also confirmed trends already observed at previous
talks: the EU is losing its role as a climate leader to a
range of developing countries and creative players like
Norway and Switzerland.
By improving old proposals or fleshing out new ones, these
countries are becoming reliable agents of progress.
Together with big emerging economies they form the new
engine of the talks, highlighted by South Korea’s pledge in
Accra to set emission reduction targets and boost renewable
energies.
“The EU disappointed in Accra just like it disappointed at
previous talks in Bonn, expressing regret for coming to the
negotiation table with empty hands,” says Diane McFadzien,
Programme Coordinator WWF Global Climate Initiative.
“Poznan should be a home match for the Europeans and a
perfect opportunity to live up to their full potential - in
order to avoid matching Canada, Russia, Japan, Australia and
the US in their lack of ambition.”
GNA
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