U.N. Climate Talks in Bonn, Germany
President Obama's new team of climate negotiators got a warm welcome at this year's first round of global talks in Bonn.
But after a brief honeymoon, all the familiar questions resurfaced. Nations everywhere are eager to see what kind of leadership the U.S. will take to avoid dangerous warming.
Updates from Bonn
Bonn 3: REDD Text Reaches Crossroads
08/14/2009
Climate and Tropical Forests Policy Expert Gus Silva-Chavez writes from Bonn
Bonn 3 achieved a fairly amazing amount of progress on the question of how to include tropical deforestation in a climate deal known in UN-speak as Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, or REDD.
The main negotiating text for REDD (which could be relevant to several dozens of tropical forest nations and help mitigate some 15% of global emissions) was consolidated down to about 15 pages, with five pages of redundant issues cut out. This was very, very good.
However, Norway took the initiative to consolidate the REDD text on its own parallel track, and managed to get its version down to just five pages.
Most countries were pleased with the progress, but then the question remained on which version to use? The 15-page version which had input from everyone? Or Norway's five-page version, an honest attempt at consolidation, but one that relies a great deal on Norway's interpretation of some key issues.
Fast… or Inclusive?
On the one hand, the shorter version could help speed negotiations in Bangkok. But then there's the risk that some countries might feel left out and start adding text back in. Then we re back at square one.
The longer text on the other hand includes everyone's view, including contributions from EDF and other environmental NGOs. But at 15 pages, there's still a lot of whittling to be done.
One country said today that they hoped the final REDD text in Copenhagen could be trimmed down to just five…..paragraphs!
So clearly we still have a ways to go. But with 190 + countries, the UN process is slow, and sometimes you have to remind yourself that it s intentionally so.
Among the best news coming out of Bonn 3 at least for me was that the U.S. delegation was quite constructive. This is a real change from a year ago. So onwards to Bangkok where the really tough negotiating and compromising will begin.
More on Our Climate Work
EDF’s Climate & Air program [PDF] - About our efforts to pass a national climate bill and solve the global climate crisis. From our 2008 annual report.
Map: A Green Economy Ready to Grow - View a map of 1,200 companies in 12 states that will benefit from a cap on carbon.
Landmark Climate Plan Outlined - View the blueprint supported by coalition of industry and environmental groups — the United States Climate Action Partnership (USCAP)
Challenges in China - Our Beijing staff are helping to show that a booming economy need not wreck the environment
EDF at Recent Climate Talks
- U.N. Talks in Poznan, Poland (December 2008).
- Climate Talks in Ghana (August 2008).
- The Bali Climate Talks (December 2007).
For the Media
Contact:
Andrea Welsh
awelsh@edf.org
(202) 297-7723
Our Delegation
See a list of who's who in Bonn.
Key Documents
The CDM is a flawed tool for cutting carbon in developing countries. How to make it better.
CLEAR is a new EDF proposal that would offer 'carrots' to emerging economies. How it works.
Press Releases
In the News
- TPAIC: First Local Firm to Buy Carbon Credits 08/06/2009
China Daily - UN climate conference in Bonn produces little progress 06/12/2009
Deutsche Welle - Climate change talks move at slow pace as nations hold on to bargaining chips 06/13/2009
Financial Times - US role in new climate treaty hinges on China 06/03/2009

