Nigel Sizer’s 9th post from the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali, which kicked off Monday, December 3rd.
(Note: Today was supposed to be last day of the conference, but negotiations stalled and carried over into Saturday)
The Forests COP?
Negotiators agreed today to include reduction of emissions from deforestation and degradation of forests in the formal intergovernmental climate change process. This will generate major new funds (from carbon markets and from expanding development assistance) for forest conservation in developing countries. The tricky part is figuring out how to spend the money well. This is also a concrete commitment from developing countries to contribute to global efforts to combat climate change. For some, this is the most significant outcome of the Bali COP.
Well, as I write I am sitting in the plenary hall, which has just emptied out. It’s nearly 9pm. Despite earlier deadlock, rumors are the major powers are coming to an agreement on language to take this process forward. But there’s no telling how much longer they need to (literally) cross the “t”s and dot the “i”s on the official text…time to head home to be with my family. Meanwhile, we just heard that the UN Secretary General is flying here from East Timor to help rescue the negotiations.
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Exhausted delegates in the plenary hall, two weeks of talk takes its toll
As I have a few minutes almost to myself in this huge room I just noticed that some of the countries have white instead of black name flags. I think these are the ones that have not ratified the Kyoto Protocol. From where I am sitting, these are the United States, Serbia, Central African Republic, Afghanistan, Chad, Zimbabwe, and the Holy Sea. What great company our country keeps!
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The United States has a white name flag, one of very few in the plenary hall.
The media are camped outside the room where the small group of ministers is haggling. When I walked past I didn’t quite realize why they were all there and asked one of the journalists who they were waiting for. She replied, “Paris Hilton!” Alas it was a joke. Instead they were stalking the somewhat less attractive chief US climate negotiator, Harlan Watson, waiting for him to have to pee, so they could get a quick update. He appeared and was mobbed, but he seemed to be enjoying every second of it. I guess it’s not everyday that Mr. Watson gets the Paris Hilton treatment.
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US chief climate negotiator, Harlan Watson (in the blue tie) trying to get to the bathroom, mobbed by the media pack
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