(AFP)
The Petersberg Climate Dialogue took place near Bonn this week. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Mexican President Felipe Calderón brought together environment and climate ministers from 45 countries to “discuss what concrete steps should be taken” prior to the next UNFCCC “Conference of the Parties” (COP) in Cancún in December.
Merkel said prior to these talks that it was necessary to “to find a basis of trust.” This AFP story quotes her further: “One thing that did not work well in Copenhagen is that a small circle met and the regional groups felt left out of the debate.” (I’m not sure that I agree with her, but it’s entirely possible she’s stroking. Very good politician, Merkel.) The story also notes that Germany and Switzerland are calling now for raising the target for Europe to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions from 20 to 30 percent from 1990 levels by 2020. This will significantly up the ante for other countries and set an excellent example.
Outgoing UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer spoke at the conference. His speech outlined where he thinks the process of international climate negotiations is now. “Trust” was his theme as well. “Trust in the process needs to be rebuilt as a matter of urgency,” said de Boer. He identified several key policy issues for resolution:
- clarity on the long-term finance beyond 2012, and the financial architecture to manage the finances
- clarity on how to keep the average global temperature increase stays below 2° C
- a proper attention to the necessity of internationally funded action being measured, reported and verified thoroughly and well
- the future of the Kyoto Protocol
As reported here by Bloomberg, the conference was thought to have brought “movement to the climate talks.” Mexico, the host for the COP this year, is taking it all very, very seriously. Their officials intend to do a lot of traveling this year “… to pave the way for specific agreements on adaptation, funding and technology…”