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“Danish Text” a preview on unfair climate deal?

Published 09th December 2009 - 15 comments - 1655 views -

There is news about a climate deal in Copenhagen. But they are not very good. A document was leaked which is currently referred to as the "Danish Text". It contains the draft for a deal - a quite unfair one. if we believe the sources, it would mean that we will abandon the Kyoto protocol. Worse: The deal fails to consider the so called carbon dept, developed nations owe to the developing countries. In contrary: Industrialized nations will be allowed to emit an even greater amount of CO² per person than developing ones - almost the double! In short this would mean that rich countries push the poorer ones into signing their own dead. This goes especially for Africa. However South Africa appears to be involved in the development of the Danish Text.

The news have caused great distress within delegations of Africa. In a closed conference Lumumba Di-Amping, a major African negotiator, burst into tears. According to some tweeds it got very emotional. "It is unfortunate that after more than 500 years of interaction with the west, we are still considered disposables." Just to name one of a variety of quotes, that represent his feelings about the Danish Text.

The news disturbed the calm and motivated atmosphere at the COP15. Even before I knew of any leaked documents the distress of the Africans was apparent. After the fossil awards ceremony, when we were actually set to leave, noise from the hallway caught our attention. My flip always in my side pocked I took some footage of what happened there.

 

This, though amazing and intense, is only a taste of what is to come. Our leaders will have to deal with a lot of resistance, from Africa and other countries civil society!

Almost at the exit of the conference I was lucky enough to meet one of the people who had been fighting for their rights. Winnie Asiti is here in Copenhagen as part of the 350 delegation. Listening to her was amazing! I recommend you to do the same.

 

Despite all the disappointment one thing should be clear. This story does not end here. We won't let it!

 

Category: International Action, UN Climate Change Conference 2009, | Tags: cop15, climate, africa, iycm,



Comments

Conor Slowey on 09th December 2009:

Great post & great videos: they really show the passion and depth of feeling surrounding this conference.

It’s amazing that something like the Danish Text could emerge from COP15 at any stage, given the political rhetoric of the past few months. Perhaps it’s some sort of diplomatic ruse to concentrate minds and spur on alliances at the conference? That there could be serious political will behind this Text doesn’t bear thinking about.

Daniel Nylin Nilsson on 09th December 2009:

I was also pissed off when I heard these news… :( But not surprised. Haven’t the rich countries hinted about leaving Kyoto behind all the time?  Did they not say all the time that India and China must cut emissions, and we must continue to emit.

Blah…

David Hiss on 09th December 2009:

If it is a diplomatic strategy it seems to work…This morning loads of protesters from the global south were standing in front of the Bella Centre, expressing their anger.
If anything we can say that we’re lucky that the document leaked. Now we at least have time until the end of the conference to take action and change it.

Daniel Nylin Nilsson on 09th December 2009:

That thought also struck me… after this text has been public, it will be very dificult for the EUSA to get such an agreement. So whoever made it public obviously wants a different deal.

Question is if the politicians actually have the political mandate from national elites to negotiate an agreement that is more demanding on the rich countries.

David Hiss on 09th December 2009:

Oh and more news: An answer to the Danish text has been released: the BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, China and India) text. It contains pretty much nothing. No comment, no commitment from developed nation, not long term goal etc.
It’s an answer without ambition to a statement without ambition.

David Hiss on 09th December 2009:

Sorry, “developing nation”, not “developed nations.”

Daniel Nylin Nilsson on 09th December 2009:

Sad… Keep us updated David!

Benno Hansen on 09th December 2009:

I could speculate a lot on this. Did so on Twitter, not TH!NK… but perhaps it’s time for a sequel to “Something is rotten in the state of COP15”? In short: The Danish govt is divided. And it’s Connie vs the rest, pretty much.

David Hiss on 09th December 2009:

Looking forward to your analysis Benno.
in the Bella Centre protests are continuing. For 10 minutes already the young friends of the earth are screaming for climate justice.

Adela on 09th December 2009:

Winnie is fantastic!
Hearing her speak about and for all Africa makes me think that no further comment is needed.

Federico Pistono on 10th December 2009:

Thank you for this coverage, David, very good.

David Hiss on 11th December 2009:

I’m glad you like it Frederico!
What Winnie says really shows the craziness of this whole conference. They are negociating about nothing less than human lives here and still not getting anywhere…

Federico Pistono on 14th December 2009:

Maybe it’s because they don’t put in their scale of values human lives at the top.

At the top there is economic stability and the insurance of being re-elected.

Then, eventually, human lives.

Winnie Asiti on 16th December 2009:

Thanks Adela,hope the world listens to our voices,David thanks a lot for posting this…and to you all,the fight for a fair and binding deal at COP 15 still goes on,we cannot ‘sell’ our planet,mother nature needs you now!!!

David Hiss on 18th December 2009:

nice to hear from you Winnie! Are you still in Copenhagen? It doesn’t sound very good what we get to hear about whats happening…How’s the YOUNGO doing?

And yes Frederico…This thought has been going around in my head since that conference has started…really sad

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