Climate diplomacy: Copenhagen versus Kyoto
Now that China and India have formally adhered to the Copenhagen Accord, climate diplomacy has two different ways to go. And they’re not comparable, nor totally compatible.
Sergio Abranches More »
The Copenhagen Accord lives
Sergio Abranches
While the U.S. and the European Union embraced the Copenhagen Accord with no reserves, the BASIC countries said the Accord is not legal. The only legal instrument they accept is the Kyoto Protocol. Does it really matter if they adhere and record their quantitative voluntary actions? Is this an important divide between developed and emerging powers? More »
How to persuade people about the need for climate action now?
The Asimov Paradox on how to persuade people about the urgency of climate action.
Sergio Abranches More »
The emerging powers behind G77 should admit they belong to a different league
When Cop 10 failed in Buenos Aires, December 2004, there were two culprits for the deadlock of climate change negotiations: the US and G77. Bangkok ended deadlocked last September. The main agents leading to the standoff were the US and G77. The US, however, had completely changed its attitude towards a global climate change deal.
Sergio Abranches More »
Is it too late to reach a climate deal in Copenhagen?
The countdown to COP15 in Copenhagen tells me, at the moment of writing, we have only 63 days left to pave the way to seal a safe deal. It seems impossible. Is it really?
Sergio Abranches More »
There is some hope for a climate deal in Copenhagen
But the odds against an effective deal are increasing. The NYC Climate Summit and the G20 meeting did not break the deadlock. Negotiators are working on a raft agreement in Bangkok this week. Meanwhile the UN has released the latest draft.
Sergio Abranches