Climate Negotiations End in Poznan, World Leaders Look to Copenhagen 2009

On December 13, the two-week UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) closed in Poznan, Poland, following lengthy negotiations about potential CO ₂ emission targets, mitigation efforts for poor countries and deforestation. Although no actual emission targets were set, leaders from the nearly 200 participating countries agreed on the need to keep temperatures at safe levels and many countries expressed their commitment to act. Mexico announced that it would reduce its carbon emissions to 50 percent of 2002 levels by 2050, Brazil pledged to reduce deforestation 70 percent, and Peru announced targets to achieve zero deforestation by 2020. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for a "Green New Deal," where money would be allocated towards green jobs and a low carbon economy, which was backed by former US Vice President Al Gore. In addition, Gore announced his support for a tougher limit on levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than the widespread goal of 450 parts per million or more. "We will soon need to toughen that goal to 350," he said.

Much of the debate centered around how to structure the UN Adaptation Fund to better serve developing nations facing the impacts of climate change. Britain took a leadership role in promising to donate money to the Fund, while other nations suggested taxing auctioned carbon credits. However, many developed countries were not ready to decide the best method to assist in mitigation efforts due to concerns about the slowing global economy. "Doing a deal in Copenhagen is to an important extent about engaging developing countries. And an important part of engaging developing countries is mobilizing financial resources," said Yvo de Boer, executive secretary of the UNFCCC.

Global leaders are now looking toward next year's negotiations in Copenhagen, which will see a shift in US leadership as the Obama Administration takes office. "Obviously, we are all hoping that there will be greater support for the post-Kyoto framework for the world [from Obama]," said Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai.

For additional information see:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/3775041/UN-Climate-Change-Con...
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/12/13/europe/EU-Poland-Climate-Talks...
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gilcn52A-wCDrEYdiSl4r...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/13/AR200812...