TH!NK post

Back Home to Realpolitik for Australian Cancún Negotiators

Published 12th December 2010 - 4 comments - 1116 views -

It’s back to business for Clark Kent after taking an important role in negotiations at COP16 in Cancún:

Climate Change Minister Greg Combet says the Government will push for a carbon price next year after a deal was reached at Cancun.
Cancun deal sparks carbon pricing push (NewsOnABC)

The Australian government view:

The Federal Government and environment groups say the outcome of climate talks in Cancun, paves the way for Australia to introduce a carbon price as soon as possible.

Delegates from almost 200 countries agreed to curb greenhouse gas emissions, establish a multi billion dollar green fund and share technology.

Australia's Climate Change Minister Greg Combet says there needs to be some common sense shown by the opposition on climate change.

"And some national interest and some responsibility taken by Tony Abbott to support efforts to get a carbon price into our economy," he said.

Mr Combet has welcomed the deal but says Australia cannot participate in forums like Cancun if it is not doing more at home.

But there is still no consensus in Australia:

But the Federal Opposition is maintaining its resistance to such a tax.

Opposition environment spokesman Greg Hunt says while he welcomes many steps taken at the climate talks, the Opposition will not support a new tax.

"Cancun should not be used as an excuse for a huge hit on electricity prices for mums and dads and pensioners," he said.
Cancun deal revives carbon price push

2011 will be a make-or-break year for climate change action, globally and locally.

Update 1:

Just had to add those one as Oprah is in Oz at present. Special thanks to AYCC again!

 

 

Update 2:

A mostly positive responsene to the Cancún deal from Giles Parkinson at Climate Spectator. His take on Combet's contribution:

Combet style

Greg Combet didn’t look so much like a fish out of water at Cancun, as a union official who had accidentally walked into the wrong conference. Ministers and senior officials made two choices at Cancun – the lightweight suit or an opened-necked shirt like the  guayabera (the Mexican wedding shirt) that has its origins in the Yucatan Pensinsula. But Combet, the former ACTU leader, stuck doggedly to his trades hall attire of shirt, tie, no jacket, and sleeves rolled up to just below the elbows. He probably can’t negotiate in anything else.

Combet, with his counterpart from Bangladesh, was thrown the tricky task of finding a way through the differences on finance, technology and capacity building. By all accounts – and these are from delegations other than his own – he did well and he left a good impression. Members of both the US and the Association of Small Island States delegations – diametrically opposed on many of the financing issues – said he had been very constructive and were impressed with his negotiating skills.

The crash course in international policy dynamics and his success here bodes well for Combet’s next big task – negotiating a carbon price mechanism through the multi-party committee, the Labor cabinet, and then through parliament. The outcome in Cancun will give that process a fillip.
Cancun Calling: Mexican masterstroke

The rest of his post is well worth reading.

Category: Climate Politics, | Tags:



Comments

Kevin Rennie on 12th December 2010:

Update: Oprah’s wrap on the UN climate talks

Anna Zhou on 12th December 2010:

Good luck with Abbott. That man is a bloody rock when it comes to things like this.

Kevin Rennie on 12th December 2010:

Positively neanderthal!

Kevin Rennie on 13th December 2010:

Update 2:

From Climate Spectator:

Cancun Calling: Mexican masterstroke

    • Remember my personal information

    Notify me of follow-up comments?

    --- Let's see if you are human ---

    Apples grow on what? Add a questionmark to your answer. (6 character(s) required)