Apr 20 2010
Following a process of reflection on the lessons of the Copenhagen Climate Summit, Europe has begun to articulate elements of its forward strategy. At the Spring Council on 25-26 March European leaders adopted conclusions on climate change which broadly endorsed the strategy laid out in a Commission Communication of 9 March. One of the emerging themes is the need for more effective European
Mar 03 2010
“As immediate emotions fade, space is opening for more measured reflections on the lessons of the Copenhagen. Nowhere is this more important than in Europe, where some commentators are gleefully proclaiming the end of multilateralism and asserting the marginalisation of European power. These readings of Copenhagen are wrong. The real lesson is that an active EU remains central to preventing
Dec 18 2009
Global Leaders came to Copenhagen carrying the expectations of their populations but have failed to deliver a real solution. The political agreement struck at Copenhagen falls short in so many areas that it cannot form a reliable basis for limiting temperature rise to below 2°C. Leaders must stop presenting this as progress and
Dec 16 2009
The level of ambition of the “Copenhagen Agreement” is now clear. The current offers on the table would represent a decisive move to a global low carbon economy, but even under the most optimistic scenarios they do not add up to a reliable pathway to limit temperature rise well below 2°C.
Even if the international community does take the extra steps needed to stay below 2°C, the impacts of
Dec 14 2009
Ten key questions determining the future of everyone on the planet will be answered by the end of next week.
1. Will we stay below two degrees or are we headed for a four degree world?
2. Will the US re-enter or wreck the global climate regime?
3. Are we headed for a legally binding treaty or more talks about talks?
4. Is there enough real money on the table?
5. Are we working on one or two
Dec 14 2009
As we approach the endgame of the Copenhagen climate change negotiations, members of the Major Economies Forum, a group of the largest emitting nations, announced a $350m technology transfer program to support developing countries a series of action plans for key climate technologies and a US led clean
Dec 09 2009
Nick Mabey was asked to give his expert reaction to the leak of Danish text at at the Copenhagen negotiations. His view (copied below) was made as part of wider comment, available at Guardian’s Copenhagen climate conference coverage.
Dec 02 2009
Leaders from industrialised countries need to rethink their assumptions on low carbon technology transfer ahead of the Copenhagen Climate Summit next week.
Though divided on many other issues, the US, Japan and EU seem to have taken a common view that a weak outcome on
Nov 25 2009
The transition to a low carbon economy is already in motion. International revenues from companies providing goods and services related to climate change already exceed the aerospace and defence sectors and could reach nearly €1.35 trillion by 2020 (see note 1 below). Europe has long recognized the benefits of the low carbon transformation and has played a leadership
Nov 24 2009
In the world of military intelligence much time is spent trying to distinguish “blinks” – unpremeditated random actions – from “winks” – deliberate moves designed to communicate intent and draw out a response.
The climate change negotiations have now entered a phase where a team of tame “spooks” is needed by anybody trying to make sense of the myriad messages emerging from the hectic
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