COP 15
SPECIAL COPENHAGEN COVERAGE
UN Dispatch has assembled an excellent team to cover the action in Copenhagen. For the duration of the conference, we will offer daily round-ups that present the highlights and major developments of the day in easily digestible prose. These will be written by Dispatch contributors Lindsay Beyerstein and Aaron Wiener. For those craving a deeper look at the diplomacy of Copenhagen, our man in India, Abhishek Nayak, is your source. He’ll be in Copenhagen during the crucial second week of the conference and will of
Our Copenhagen Curtain-Raiser
The delegates have descended on Copenhagen. The curtain has been raised. And as UN climate chief Yvo de Boer told the representatives of 192 countries at the opening festivities of the 12-day international climate conference, “The clock has ticked down to zero. After two years of negotiation, the time has come to deliver.”
The editorial seen around the world
A version of the same editorial calling for action in Copenhagen ran in 56 newspapers in 45 countries today. Many on the front page. This unprecedented effort was spearheaded by the Guardian. Good for it.
Today 56 newspapers in 45 countries take the unprecedented step of speaking with one voice through a common editorial. We do so because humanity faces a profound emergency.
Obama will travel to Copenhagen on the *last* day of the conference
The White House announced that President Obama has changed his travel plans for Copenhagen. Rather than stoping by Copenhagen en route to picking up his Nobel Prize on December 9th, the President will attend the very last day of the conference, December 18th. This is good news. As one close observor writes via email,
“By switching his visit from Dec. 9 to Dec. 18, Obama appears to be betting that his presence can – as he has expressed hope for several times in the past – push the negotiations “over the top” toward an agreement.”
EU’s latest stance on financing climate change threatens Copenhagen deal
The Guardian recently revealed contents of secret documents that show EU plans to use existing aid money to finance developing countries to reduce their emissions and adapt to climate change. This latest stance is in opposition to a key demand from developing countries and is a major threat to the success of negotiations starting next week.
A closer look at the emissions intensity targets of China and India
India today announced that it would reduce emissions intensity by 20-25% from 2005 levels. This announcement comes after much government deliberation on the heels of China’s last week announcement of aiming to reduce emissions intensity by 40-45% from 2005 levels.
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The SC; HRC; DPRK; South Sudan
The SC: The Security Council today held its last consultations under the Council Presidency of ROK. Tomorrow, Russia will take over the rotating Presidency of the Security Council for March under Ambassador Vitaly Churkin.
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The SG; Mali; Middle East; Palestine
The SG: At the Fifth Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations in Vienna, Austria today, the SG emphasized the role of youth in ensuring a “prosperous, equitable and peaceful future.”
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The SG; DRC; HRC; Palestinian Prisoner
The SG: In Ethiopia over the weekend, the SG is now in the United Arab Emirates. Today he met with Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashed Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, where the two discussed developments in the region, including Syria, Iran, Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan, and in the Middle East Peace Process.
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