Poznan Conference on Climate Change
From December 1-12 representatives from 192 nations around the world are gathering in the Polish city of Poznan, a vibrant and industrial city of almost 600,000 on the river Warta. They are there to engage in this year's round of United Nations talks on the climate change. The conference marks the halfway point of the two-year process initiated last year in Bali and culminating in an agreement next year in Copenhagen that would enter into force in 2013 when the emission cuts under the Kyoto Protocol expire. The Conference's stated goals are to:
- Agree on a plan of action and programmes of work for the final year of negotiations after a year of comprehensive and extensive discussions on crucial issues relating to future commitments, actions and cooperation
- Make significant progress on a number of on-going issues required to enhance further the implementation of the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol, including capacity-building for developing countries, reducing emissions from deforestation (REDD), technology transfer and adaptation.
- Advance understanding and commonality of views on "shared vision" for a new climate change regime
- Strengthen commitment to the process and the agreed timeline
Although the world is currently mired in a financial crisis, environmental organizations and activists have noted that it cannot and should not detract from meaningful and effective action on climate change. We must think holistically and see the economy and the environment as indelibly linked. Tomorrow's economy can only be a low carbon and sustainable economy. As noted in Vision Green, Canadians can take advantage of the the greatest economic opportunity humanity has ever seen – to go green. The Green Party will make sure Canada is a leader, not a laggard in this future.
According to Yvo de Boer, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) a number of issues must become clear during the conference including the scale of commitment nations are willing to make on cutting emissions and the scale of financial resources development nations are willing to commit.
Perhaps the brightest news has come from the European Union, which has assumed the position that developed, richer nations should commit to cutting emissions by 25%-40% of 1990 levels by 2020. Elizabeth May wrote that Nicholas Stern, former senior economist to the World Bank and a prominent carbon tax champion, was confident that the EU would "stick to its guns". May also noted that Stern is very optimistic about the Obama administration's intentions. The President-Elect has promised to re-integrate with the UN negotiations, a decision that has been met with optimism around the world. Unfortunately, Canada has played the role of deterrent and detractor during the conference.
As Elizabeth May, who has been at the conference since December 5th, noted, Canada had already won 5 Fossil of the Day Awards, awarded to the nation with the most shameful efforts to obstruct progress in the climate talks. Furthermore, only two Canadian reporters are present at the Conference, and none from Anglophone media groups.
Yet, with an obstructionist Conservative government, obstacles remain for Canada. May maintained that "No matter how much the Harper government buries its head in the sand and hides from the truth, the climate crisis is real and the rest of the world is dealing with it. We need to get on board and take advantage of some of the opportunities we have now for investing in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure. Yes, we are a Northern climate country but we are also an imaginative and intelligent country. Unfortunately the government's negotiators are portraying us as backwards and obstructionist."
A couple of things are certain. In dire times with a government that refuses to commit to anything that could be considered as adequate action on the environment, Canadians need the the green voice of the the Green Parliament more than ever. We should also all be proud that we have someone with the knowledge, expertise, passion and determination of Elizabeth May representing the Green Party and the will of so many Canadians, in Poznan.
For more information on Elizabeth's trip, please visit her blog here (link http://www.greenparty.ca/en/blog/7)
For more information on the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Poznan, please click here (link http://unfccc.int/meetings/cop_14/items/4481.php)
