Tuvalu takes a stand

Here are my notes from the COP plenary on Day 3 when Tuvalu took a stand. I tried to keep track of who was speaking and who they supported by color coding. There is an interesting flow and rhythm. There were 5 countries that had proposals, but it was Tuvalu the laid it out and started the charge. As it starts to get more intense, my notes get really tight and it loosens up as it becomes clear that there is an impasse. At the time I thought, "Suspend the COP" meant, suspend the whole thing, but in the end, it just meant that particular meeting.
Let me know what you see...

These next notes of from the next portion of the meeting, which did't last long, because it was lunch time.  After lunch, the place was packed as everyone thought the debate from the morning with Tuvalu and the gang would continue. There was even a small domonstration outside the hall just before they meeting started in support of the small island states. But, as you can see, all they did was say that consultations were underway and they would get back to us.

Anyway, there was a presentation by the Chair of the CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) which is the major controller of clean energy development projects. That became interesting and CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) came to the forefront. In the end, the COP decided not to include CCS.

3:30am Copenhagen Time

I am listening to the final plenary of the COP15. One after the other, the countries that were essentially excluded from the 'small group consultations' are refusing to accept the document set in front of them. The Copenhagen Accord. The process has broken down. Obama is seen to have swept in "like an emperor" and taken the decision with a select group of developed and developing countries (which is really what happened).

Again, it's 3:34am. The group has been waiting for hours. The president of the conference, now Prime Minister Rasmussen, swept in, dropped the 2 page document and gave them an hour to review it and ran from the podium, but was called back by Tuvalu that requested to speak just before he banged the gavel suspending the session.

Let's face it. This process is insane.

They are mad and laughing in the plenary right now. There is a mess up in the order of speaking (people have to ask for the floor electronically) And it looks like the 'agreement' put forth will be rejected by the COP.

Nicaragua is submitting a proposal suspending the COP/CMP and have a "resumed15th/5th session" in June 2010. Between now and then, they continue working.

The president is suspending the meeting to figure out what to do next.

I've been up since 2:30am following the action. I had to work that last 2 days but I kept a running feed of COP15_Unfiltered going on my computer to glance at when I could. I just don't see how on earth anything of any value can possibly be created and agreed upon at this point. They have had NO SLEEP. I can barely function and I'm all comfy in my home.

It must feel to the delegates left behind like this:

There was a big party.
They were invited.
But there was a VIP section.
And Britany Spears came.
She and her posse made a big ol' mess.
Then left.
And took the music and the disco ball with them.
Now there is just the mess.
And they have to clean it up.
Well, in this case, they decided to "take note" of it. So, they know it exists. Each party guest can decided if and how much they want to clean up. And, maybe later they will sign up on the chore list and commit to it.
But the hall has been rented for another party and they have to get out of there...


By the way, I still have some notes to process and put up from some of the meetings. They are interesting as i tried to keep track of who spoke and which issues they were for and against via color. It was interesting to see the ebb and flow. Just when you felt you heard enough from one viewpoint, the other would chime it at just the right moment. There was a kind of twisted symmetry to the proceedings that I found fascinating. (Clearly I still do, as I'm obsessively watch it)

I just can't seem to wrap it all up. I'm hoping by writing this now that it will be a 'binding agreement' to finish this transmission. I do think I will revisit this thing after I debrief with the MBBs and a few others and see how this whole experience has effected me. Right now, I'm just utterly overwhelmed.

I'll add after the action continues.

There is no consensus and the draft is not adopted by the COP.
Does it matter?

One delegate suggests it could be adopted with a footnote of countries against.

They "took note of it"
Gee.

Its now 5:25am in Los Angeles. I conked out.
And yet, the COP is STILL going

6:00am LA Time
It's over

Headed for Richard Black.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/richardblack

fun article he recommends:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gHb77YA9Gn1q8QwopmdlPEITMjUA

WAIT!!!!
One final item...
AAAAAAaaaaaaaaaa

Amendments to...a I have no idea.

"Happy Christmas, happy holidays"

wait

the Russian Federation wants the floor...

Thank G77 for flexibility
Russia will be part of the Copenhagen Accord

The President thanks
South Africa for hosting the FIFA World Cup
And asks that "nothing should happen in June during the World Cup"

We have our priorities.

I declare this meeting Closed.

15:27 December 19th, Copenhagen time

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/dec/19/copenhagen-closes-weak-deal

Getting in

bit.ly

a piece on the giant line outside the Bella Center today.

On the Ground

Really great live feed collection

http://www.scribblelive.com/Event/Cop15_Unfiltered

Ole and the crew:
http://www.blog.biggerpicture.dk/

Gordon LaForge is on the ground blogging observations at "The Global Observer". Here is the link.

http://www.theincidentalobserver.com

Gordon dropped me a quick email:
"Overall, the feeling is madness -- huge lines outside, dropping temperatures, and heightened security.  This morning the train wouldn't stop at Bella center because of overcrowding: you had to go one stop past and then hoof it.  Things will only increase in intensity as more ministers and heads of state arrive.

Going to see Arnold speak in a couple hours.  I'll post something about that and give you some finer details if you'd like."

Highlights of Arnold:

http://en.cop15.dk/news/view+news?newsid=2995

The UN site is also great for following the action.


http://en.cop15.dk

It's getting hot in Denmark..

Here are some pictures from Diane of Saturday's march.

It's Personal...

First of all, I want to re-iterate that this blog has been from the point of view of an everyday Joe (leene) - me - who has been allowed to observe the workings of world politics. The goal of this whole thing is for other "Joe's" to get a glimpse of what it is like to be THERE. From the food (it's terrible, but cheap) to what it's like observing decision-makers at work. Also, the thought processes that one navigates as they are thrown into such and intense and global situation.

An interesting phenomenon began toward the end of the week last week: I started forming opinions. Opinions on what I was learning. I started talking about it. I started liking the sound of my own voice. I started looking for what I could do to help the proceedings. Observing was no longer enough, the urge to participate began to take hold. The need to feel useful. Holding the table and supporting the team was no longer enough. I started to feel like I had to do something....

Big problem.

The truth is that I AM an observer. Not only that, the organization I came with is an official "Observer." I came there to observe Mediators observing, and my role was gather information and report it back so that the observing Mediators could better observe.

I would not be surprised if this feeling was not exclusive to myself. (I know it's not). I can imagine that from time to time, everyone has a moment when they feel uniquely qualified to solve the world's problems, if only 'they'd' listen....

Just a tad grandiose.

It's a good thing that I had to go home. For me, it's all so overwhelming. Both my mind and body simply quit. Time for the experienced people to do their work.

But even experienced people can miss-step. Especially when they are tired, hungry and frustrated.

Also you don't know what you don't know. I read in the SAS inflight magazine about the fact that they had and an informal meeting in Greenland this summer to get some work done.

"The idea came from experiencing the previous climate summits, where several thousand polititians and officials gathered in the same room and fought over every word"

Connie Hedegaard:
 "I got the feeling that there must be a way to do things in a more efficient manner. We had to get politicians out of their lairs, and short-circuit the bureaucracy by getting ministers to sit down together in a room where they could literally loosen their ties and roll up their sleeves.

Politicians are just ordinary people who are passionate about politics - about whether the world should go in one directions or the other. And it turned out that I wasn't the only one who felt frustrated about the way bureaucracy got in the way."

So they are trying, to figure out new ways to work. Have done. I had to get off of my collaborative decision-making high horse.

So,

Build relationships and keep an open mind. Hold a positive frame for a positive framework. Support those that are in the trenches trying desperately to hammer out an agreement.

Keep listening. And take care of yourselves.

PS: I hoping to be able to include some personal observations from people who are still on the ground at the Bella center and outside it in Copenhagen.
I will update what is happening here in Los Angeles and how the COP15 is being perceived out here.

Just a Couple More...

 The delegate from India holds up the Saki cup from the original Kyoto meeting.

Kirk and her puppy. Sort of looks like it's leaning on the table..

A thought

First of all, look!

They changed the sign in the plenary!

( I did tell you all about the 'great logo debate?, didn't I?")

Yesterday I was helping out the Value Web at the World Business Council on Sustainable Development Copenhagen Business Day. It was a very high profile event... Lot's of press and Yvo opened the proceedings with a big fat finger wag. He told business that they were incoherent and unfocused. and when asked what they could do to influence what was happening in the Bella Center, he responded with "Nothing", t
his needs to remain an intergovernmental process. The business wants a carbon price, a solid government framework and regulation. They seem to feel that they are ready to go, all they need it the go ahead.

However, no one trusts Business, they lack focus and are not aligned...
Anyway,
I reported this stuff to some friends in the Bella Center and the reaction was a knee jerk response. Immediately they launched into examples of business selfishness and asked the question: Why is it that some really good ideas that have been put forward to capture and convert energy are not pursued. The answer was simple: There is no money in it. All business thinks of is money.

I have a tendency to sort of morph into whomever I'm with... I try to see other's point of view and grasp why they would think the way they do. When I see a bunch of people working hard and speaking passionately, I just can't ignore it.

I don't think that Business is wholly  selfish and I don't thing environmental activists are wholly altruistic. Perhaps it depends on who is depending on you and what your obligations are.

When I look at these CEO, all suits and homogenous appearance aside, I see people with a huge responsibility. Responsible for keeping huge ships afloat - tens of thousands of employees, infrastructure, property and stockholders. Their responsibilities and priorities naturally make them untrustworthy when it comes to working internationally on something that effects more than just their own company's interests. They want it all. To save the world AND make money. And they don't seem to be willing to take a loss to save the world, because if they made that choice, they would have to get buy-in from all their dependants.

However, there are companies that are created that have that mandate built into it. The people that buy their products and services do so with the understanding that they are manufacturing responsibly. Consumers take pride in it and are willing to support moves in that direction.

That's the thing: Neither Government nor Business, trusts the Consumer to make smart choices. They both insist that the Consumer will only buy what's cheap and attractive, won't choose responsible products and are just a bunch of selfish babies.

Will Business take the risk to take the cheap crappy dirty stuff away and replace it with something that is sustainable?

Will Government trust the consumers to make the right decisions that will guide Business and lead to that 2 ton CO2 goal?

For carbon emission data per person:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/datablog/2009/sep/02/carbon-emissions-per-person-capita

A few pics:

Martine, Nicholi, Camelia of MBB, walking proud.

Tom and Kirk at the executive meeting

(before they kicked me to the curb :))

Value Webbys spinning on how to frame Climate Change in a coherent Knowledge wall.

Making signs out of packing material that the WBCSD was going to throw out.

Something that made Jodi crazy: The plastic bags filled with plastic gadgets at the WBC Sustainable Development conference. Inside were plastic model windmills and neoprene computer cozys.

Tivoli. Pretty.

Protest

It's about 6:15 in the Bella Center and I've just sat down to catch up with my work. The computer center is filled with people working, sessions continue betweent the delegates, people chat, snack and work....

Meanwhile, outside, down the street there are several thousand demonstrators. Apparently the have set up a road block that stops them from coming near the center. It would not be possible to get out if they did.

They have a video feed of the demonstration on a few of the flat screens around. They usually have the schedule on them. People gather around and take pictures of the screen.

These pictures are from earlier in the day. There are now several lines of young people, handcuff with those plastic ties and sitting one in front of the other, like sections of a caterpillar. It reminds me of when I was a child. The police are gently escorting them to their places in line. I don't know what they have done to get arrested. They don't seem violent. They probably just sat down or something. Let me find out....

At around 4:30pm an NGO group brought Desmond Tutu in to speak. (Actually out, just outside the center, where the delegates have a smoke, actually)

Here is a link to a little piece of his speech:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1G3yVaSkS0

Here is a great image I got of a reporter on a container waiting for Desmond Tutu.

Copenhagen Business Day

Here is a brief summary of what took place at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development Copenhagen Business Day session..

http://www.thevalueweb.org/

I'm quoted on this page...as colleague who sent message.

http://www.thevalueweb.org/?p=905

Here is decent summary coverage

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/12/11/business-general-industrials-climate-business_7203797.html

It was a great opportunity to get the private industry perspective after spending the week with government...

I'll write about it tomorrow.

I know, tomorrow, tomorrow. I gotta tell you, I've really pushed my limits this week. Generally, the work I do can involve long hours, but only a few days at a stretch. I have averaged around 5 hours of sleep every night since I got here and I'm starting to break down.

Tomorrow I will spend the day at the Bella Center, collect my thoughts from the past week, process the rest of the images I've created.

Ugh.... But in a good way..

Well, first of all, I made it through the whole day (so far) without falling asleep, which is a good thing. A few strategically timed coffees, and a hunk of lasagna for dinner kinda saved the day. Nicholai made the observation, and I'm afraid I must agree: The food is pretty terrible, and it's kind of depressing. Doesn't really set the tone for optimism. Lunch was yet another Quiche (I've had quiche 3 times in three days - varying shapes sizes and mystery flavors) and some soupy rice. Unfortunately I discovered some extremely yummy organic chocolate chocolate chip cookies... The selection is limited to 1 vegetarian option and 1 regular option. Happily the Lasagna was an extra added attraction...

Anyway, there was a bit of excitement today, starting with the first meeting which was the 2nd open meeting of the COP (Conference of the Parties)

From the  UNFCCC Fact Sheet:

-----
The negotiating process on climate change revolves around the sessions of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP), which meets every year to review the implementation of the Convention. The COP adopts decisions and resolutions, published in reports of the COP.  Successive decisions taken by the COP make up a detailed set of rules for practical and effective implementation
of the Convention. 

The COP serves as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP), which also
adopts decisions and resolutions on the implementation of its provision.  
-----

It started off really fun with Mexico being announced at the host for the COP 16 in Mexico City. COP 17 will be hosted by South Africa and COP 18 will be hosted by someone from the Asian Group. Then, China requested to speak and they noted a few things. One that the logo in the plenary session room was the COP15 logo only and it does not recognize the CMP which includes the Kyoto protocol, also that the Graphic..

Is like a "fragile earth" and "does not give me a comfortable feeling". Also one of his collegues, Minister Chi, has been barred from entering on multiple occasions and his badge was even confiscated. The UN Secretariat apologized for not being aware of the situation and also brought up the fact that next week there will be 110 heads of state each with a band of 100 people plus press, implying that the issues were only going to get worse. They will also be considering closing off the building to the lesser groups, namely NGOs and press. There is actuallya rumor of the Big Whigs meeting elsewhere....

Where was I? oh yeah, so the delegate from Saudi Arabia echos China's view on the logo going further to say that "so many countries are trying to put an end to the Kyoto Protocol" and that there is time to adjust the logo for next weekend....

I wonder if it will happen.

Connie Hedegaard, Minister for the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen , the wonderful Connie (clearly I'm a fan) let them know that they were heard and moved us along to the next thing....

Are you getting the picture?

Then Malta proposes to be added as a Annex one country, in other words, to play with the big boys. Connie said that they would do "consultations" which are essentially, going around to the interested parties and asking them what they think, in a private manner.

Okay,

So, Then we move onto proposals.... I gotta go now, I'll get back to you. here are a couple of pictures for entertainment.

1) Me

2) Connie on the screen

3) Johnson on the screen representing Togo. I met him at a party.

Okay, I'm back at Fibi's house. I get her room for the next two nights, BTW.

So, where did I leave off? Oh yes, the consideration of proposals by Parties under Article 17, which basically allows parties to propose new text. Anyhoo, 5 countries made proposals: Japan, Tuvalu, US, Australia, Costa Rica. The first up was Tuvalu, who briefly ran though the areas that  the proposal effected, noted that their proposal had been tabled for 6 months. They call it  the "copenhagen protocol, the emphasied that it is a legally binding protocol meant to enhance, not replace Kyoto. I don't know the details but based on the fact that they are one of the places immediately impacted by climate change, the proposal probably involved strict emmissions standards (people are talking 40% reduction from 1990 levels by 2025 or something...(Im not sure), more money for Adaptation procedures, etc. then the others basically said that they have proposals with a few high level bullet points.

Then...

Other AOSIS (Association of Small Island State) members, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Jamaica, etc. all intervened with support for Tuvalus proposal, then India chimed in saying that "We already jave a protocol, a good one" and that new proposals are premature. Then there was a long back and forth, with the AOSIS countries pleading urgency, China chimed in with "we doubt the intentions behind the new proposals" and "this is a distraction"...

Then the desert-dry type countries started to chime in with  love for China - I indicated support for varying countries, etc with little hearts in my scribing - This went on and Connie allowed statements from the Observer Organizations (NGOs) climate action stated "We need a deal signed here" While the Youth delegation stated that the new proposals were "erecting barriers" to Kyoto.

So, Connie proposed forming a new Contact Group, which is basically an open forum to discuss this issue. Saudi Arabia objected and said the was "no need for a Contact Group" and "We have faith in You (connie) to consult on this issue...

There was a 'yes' 'no debate on whether or not to have a Contact Group. Basically an open transparent discussion of the proposals or a closed "polling" of interested parties and a decision rendered by Connie.

Then, because there was no consensus on whether or not to form a contact group, Connie had no alternative but to propose consulting parties and reporting back. (In other words, a private discussion or whether or not to have a public discussion, which is in the Tuvalu view was not acceptable. Tuvalu called to "suspend the COP" which freaked me out a bit as I thought the who meeting would come to a stand still. But it meant stopping the discussion and taking it up again after lunch. More objections, back and forth and lunch is looming, strong objections from all parties about all sorts of things...

Time's a Wastin' folks...

So, after about 3 hours, they tabled the discussion for after lunch and moved on to another topic....

So what did we learn from all this?

The Open Plenary Session are for Political Posturing. Like big dogs in the yard. It's dramatic, it's fiery. The AOSIS countries have no alternative and they are fighting hard.

When we came back from lunch the place was packed and the supporters of Tuvalo and the AOSIS countries had a demonstration outside the hall and the stopped letting NGO groups in. Luckily I was early...

But when we came back, Connie said "consultations were underway" and they carried on with the next item.

It's a real fight. From this vantage point it all seems hopeless, that there is no way anything can possibly get done...

I just wonder what is going on behind closed doors...

I heard that the rich countries may attempt to "Buy Out" the poor ones...

My friend Kerri is calling on Skype from Australia...

It's 30 minutes later...

Skype has really been so much fun this week. I love it! Oh someone named Mike skyped me while I was on the phone with Kerri. I thought it was mike benitez, but it was some random guy wanting to, uh, play with the camera... Ick..Block and delete!

I've got to go to sleep, this is ridiculous!

Wendy

Day Two Debrief

Here are the team debrief notes from the "Struck Session" from Day two. I was strck by the fact that I was still upright.

Day Two: SBI: Subsidiary Body for Implementation

Further Commitments for Annex I Parties Under Kyoto Protocol Session