Brussels, 12/04/2010 (Agence Europe) - On the climate front, nothing new happened in Bonn where representatives from the 175 parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) met last weekend (9-11 April) to resume talks at expert level. This first gathering, four months after the COP 15 and the disappointing Copenhagen Accord, mainly aimed to find ways to integrate the elements of this minimal agreement (which has not been formally adopted but which benefits from the support of 120 countries and 194 parties) in the UN negotiation process and, as the European Union hoped, to establish a roadmap for tangible progress in Cancun, during the COP 16 meeting in December (29 November-10 December).
Yvo De Boer, the UN head negotiator, himself acknowledged one should not hope for a global agreement covering all questions at the COP 16, as it was highly probable that, to reach a legally binding international treaty, it will be necessary to wait for the COP 17 in South Africa in 2011. Hence, in his view, it is of interest to focus on concrete measures to help the poorest countries adjust to climate change and act to mitigate the effects. His was a pragmatic approach, close to that recommended by Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action, and by the European Council (EUROPE 10107).
No progress has yet been accomplished when it comes to adaptation, financial aid to the most vulnerable developing countries, the fight against deforestation, and the transfer of clean technology - all of which are the backbone of the Copenhagen Accord. Participants at most agreed on a work programme for stepping up their talks. In addition to the ministerial meeting in Bonn scheduled from 31 May to 11 June, they will hold additional preparatory meetings of at least one week each during the second half of 2010. Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe of Zimbabwe, who heads the main working group, has been mandated to present a draft text by 17 May this year in order to facilitate continuation of the talks.
Disappointed by these results, Greenpeace deplores the “complete lack of the required sense of urgency as many countries fell back on bad habits”. Wendel Trio, the political coordinator for Greenpeace International, says: “Countries must shift gears between now and June and use meetings such as the May ministerial in Germany and the high level advisory group on climate finance to push for real progress”. (A.N./transl.jl)