CAFOD blog

When one thinks of UN meetings, one imagines a set of learned politicians and policy experts battling through the minutiae of intelligent, cogent arguments.

Essentially agreeing on the biggest issues, but finding the angles that suit their agenda; offering a little give here, to gain some take in another area.

Well, that’s what you’d think would be the case. But from the experience of listening to some of those arguments over the past few days, I’ve learned that sometimes countries have some very strange ideas that seem to miss the point on both political will and bald facts.

Let’s take Ukraine. The Ukrainian delegation is planning to announce a 20% emissions reduction target, based on 1990 global levels, by 2020; with 50% by 2050. Not bad at all.

Except for the fact that Ukrainian emissions are at present around 55% below 1990 levels – so the 20% target would allow Ukraine to increase emissions by 77% between now and 2020!

We would like to remind Ukraine that reduction should mean just that – and certainly does not mean an increase.

Now Russia’s been playing with perceptions this week by arguing it should be seen as part of the developing world.

The country’s energy intensity is about twice that of China and the US, and almost four times that of Japan and the EU.

By improving energy efficiency, Russia could reduce its CO2 emissions by about 50% from 2005 levels.

However, delegates tried to persuade the UN that it should be considered less as a rich country and more as a vast, freezing wasteland, selflessly producing fossil fuels and energy-intensive products for the rest of the world.

In fact it should be seen as closer to a developing country than one that was already developed. Now that really must have taken some chutzpah to say.

And I’m afraid Japan doesn’t seem to have the right idea either. Their lead negotiator was talking with gusto about lifestyle changes needed to help save the planet post-2012.

In a fit of insane generosity he said he too would follow a greener lifestyle and practise what he was preaching. And what did this gentleman say he would do? Reduce his shower to a mere 15 minutes!

At this point a rather flummoxed Chinese delegate pointed out that quite a few people in the world do not have the affluence or community infrastructure to have a shower of any length.

Unfazed by the interruption, Japan continued that he would make further personal sacrifices in the shape of personal hygiene: instead of taking up to eight baths each weekend, he would limit himself – for the common good –to three!

Canada had some controversial comments to make about the UNFCCC as a whole. While the world sees these negotiations as the arena for striking a deal on climate change, the Canadians called for it to instead have the status of an “information sharing” platform.

With environment minister Rob Renner desperate to protect his country’s “tar sands” industry, we think Canada is missing the main agenda. Tar sands is Canada’s fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions.

The extraction of oil from tar sands generates 3-5 times as much GHG as conventional oil recovery due to the massive amounts of energy needed for extraction and upgrading.

There are severe impacts on fresh water, boreal forest, wildlife and air quality.

There is also a growing opposition from indigenous people whose communities are most at risk from tar sands development.

In an attempt to quiet the opposition to the tar sands industry, Canada promised to use carbon capture as a solution to runaway emissions.

In a secret memo, it was then revealed the government could capture “only a small percentage” of carbon dioxide from tar sands production.

Alongside this, the Canadians have failed to renew their support for wind power, while clearing the way for massive investment in nuclear power and carbon capture. Well done Canada!

And finally to Kuwait and Qatar. These oil rich countries, which boast having the ninth and first highest GDP per capita in the world respectively, have been whinging about being “particularly vulnerable” to the effects of climate change.

Kuwait has asked for access to the Adaptation Fund, available only for developing countries to finance adaptation to climate change.

Rumours have it that Kuwait is especially worried about its coastal oil facilities being damaged by climate change…Our hearts bleed.

Posted by LizG