CCN @ COP15

The most recent, a possibly the largest development thus far in the negotiations, occurred at this morning’s plenary session and caused the plenary to be suspended until 3:00 p.m. Essentially, as set of proposals were explained and presented to the Parties from Tuvalu, Costa Rica, Japan, Australia and the US. A long list of Alliance of Small Island States, SIDS and LDC (Least Developed Countries) Parties (the parties that are calling for the most aggressive emissions targets and are on our side) intervened in favor of Tuvalu’s proposal. Tuvalu was proposing that the UNFCCC develop a group that will begin a discussion about writing a new binding treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol. Connie Hedegaard (COP15 President) proposed establishing a contact group on Item 3 and Article 17 proposals (Tuvalu’s proposal).  This got strong support from AOSIS, SIDS, LDCs, and was opposed by Saudi Arabia, India, China, Venezuela, others and the G77 (group of 77) splits.

Now this is relevant because the small island nations went up against and directly contradicted some of the most powerful nations (the G77). The big heads don’t want a new treaty because they don’t want it to undermine the Kyoto Protocol, and Saudi Arabi doesn’t want a treaty at all, but you must remember that the US is not ratified under the Kyoto Protocol. Therefore, the US isn’t even part of that deal so it could potentially just be easier to create  new one that could be ratified by the US and all other nations, because without the US there really is no deal. Also, the Kyoto Protocol, though not aggressive enough, is what we currently have to work with and if the “new treaty” (which is currently not even allowed to be a discussion) isn’t better (or it is worse) then we don’t want it at all.

Overall, I believe that we should stand in solidarity with the groups that are calling for that which is most aggressive (ie. the small island nations and the science). And yesterday at 3:00 p.m. a groups of activists showed their support for Tuvalu. See images

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