Fishburn Hedges

15.12.2009

According to the FT, the US envoy for climate change Todd Stern has arrived in Copenhagen with one explicit aim: to break some Chinese balls (diplomatically-speaking). 

The new tougher line has apparently come about in response to China's behind-the-scenes manoeuvering with the G77 group of developing countries, who are seen to be pushing Beijing's agenda.  Yet Beijing are clear that although they're supporting calls for more money for developing countries, they don't want the money themselves.  Which is just as well, as the US delegation is under considerable domestic pressure not to do anything which will give China any competitive advantage.

But this morning, China are giving as good as they're getting , reminding rich countries of their historic responsibility and resisting any international monitoring of carbon emissions targets on a matter of 'principle' (not sure what principle?) - and even setting aside the reality of the reductions they achieve, on closer analysis, their 40% 'carbon intensity' reduction which is based on emissions per yuan of economic activity, due to continued economic growth, in reality may not be a cut at all.

On the ground in Copenhagen, the biggest issue seems to be the conference centre itself - hundreds of people were left queuing outside in the freezing cold as organisers struggle to deal with the estimated 45,000 delegates, with a conference centre of only 15,000 capacity - apparently only 1 in 3 of each civil society delegation is being admitted entry.

Posted by Clare Hinkley