Here are a couple of updates on progress – or the dearth thereof – at the talks in Copenhagen. The first is from the “LA Times” – Developing nations hold the key to Copenhagen climate agreement. The developed countries have “…ramped up pressure on emerging economies China and India, as well as African and island nations, to compromise and drop near-daily procedural tactics and protests that have slowed the negotiations.” President Obama, for one, has been working the phones. ClimateWire, via the “NY Times” also reports here that the White House is engaged. Because of the influx of high-level ministers and heads of state arriving on the scene, the Danish Prime Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, has taken over the chair as President of the conference. See this from the UNFCCC.
Libby Rosenthal at the “NY Times” reports today, in the lead article in the paper, Climate Talks Near Deal to Save Forests. This was at least one outcome that was expected to be on track as a key “deliverable” from the conference. The international community will now be able to provide “…a system through which countries can be paid for conserving disappearing natural assets based on their contribution to reducing emissions.” REDD, the term for the program for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, will also embrace peatlands and other vital carbon sinks. Don’t think this is critical? 20% of warming comes from destroying these lands. Brazil and Indonesia rank only behind the US and China as contributors to warming when you consider land-use changes. (Here again, for your reference, is a tremendously useful interactive graphic, showing the impacts from major countries, from the “FT” that I referenced in a post on Dec. 7.) We, hopefully, will also see the acceptance of various “cool farming” methods, biochar for instance, for offsets.