From diplomacy to realpolitik: a likely route for COP15
Several days of diplomatic maneuvering, lobbying and arm-wrestling could pave the way for the heads of states to seal a political deal after 12 days of strenuous conversations and off-the-record conspiring.
Sergio Abranches, from Copenhagen More »
The Copenhagen climate summit could end by breaking a decade long deadlock that has been blocking any real progress on global climate change politics and policy. If that happens, this outcome should not be underrated.
Sergio Abranches More »
APEC has become the opportunity for the US to try to recast the expectations about Copenhagen. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had already forewarned that the US was “100-percent committed to creating a framework agreement, not a legally binding treaty.”
Sergio Abranches More »
After months of political infighting Brazilian authorities have finally agreed last Friday to commit to a voluntary target to curb between 36 percent and 39 percent of projected emissions under a Business As Usual (BAU) scenario to 2020. It is a major political shift, although real carbon cuts could be much lower than the percentages seem to indicate.
Sergio Abranches More »
With Barcelona just waiting for the final plenary session, all hopes of a breakthrough seem to have already vanished.
Sergio Abranches More »
Amid strong controversies among his ministers, president Lula has supposedly concluded a cabinet meeting, last Tuesday, by saying “we’ll move ahead, but first bring me a consensual policy with figures all of you agree with.”
Sergio Abranches More »
