Comprehending Copenhagen
Opinion pieces, briefing papers and research documents
By Matthew Findlay and Nick Mabey
“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
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By Nick Mabey
“Greenwash” agreement won’t stop dangerous climate change
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
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By Nick Mabey
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
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By Editor
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
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By Shane Tomlinson
Comments on Major Economies Forum Announcement by United States, Italy, India and Australia
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
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By Nick Mabey
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.
Climate policy experts respond to outcry over Danish text
Despite anger from developing countries over the leaked document, the negotiations are still on track
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By Nick Mabey and Shane Tomlinson
Industrialised countries need to agree real low carbon technology transfer at Copenhagen or face a damaging backlash.
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
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By Nick Mabey
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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By Monica Araya, Matthew Findlay and Claire Langley
A global deal on climate finance underpins a successful outcome at Copenhagen.
Agreement on a climate finance package will require bridging both a quantitative gap – how to scale up beyond current inadequate levels – and a qualitative gap – how to shift the focus from financing “cheap tonnes of carbon” to transformational change in key sectors of the economy. Closing these gaps
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By Editor
US President Barack Obama announced on Monday that time had run out on signing a legally binding deal at Copenhagen. Tom Burke was interviewed on this latest statement from the US by Lisa Bryant of Voice of America. The article, ‘Environment Ministers Meet in Effort to Invigorate Climate Talks’ is below as it appeared on Voice of America news , with Tom’s quote highlighted.
Environment
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