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Costa Rica Carbon Neutral for 2020…Really?
14 Jun 2013
Developing countries are rightly demanding more action as we work towards an ambitious deal in 2015. And in the spirit of an international agreement applicable to all, many developing countries are taking more actions domestically. ECO commends developing countries, including Costa Rica, for committing to serious mitigation efforts. Indeed, Costa Rica pledged to be […]
Climate Finance: Deal Maker or Deal Breaker?
14 Jun 2013
Sitting in Monday’s briefing for observer organisations, ECO was delighted to hear the incoming President identify progress on climate finance as a “clear priority” for COP19. We couldn’t agree more! With the Fast Start period behind us and only a handful of countries with new money on the table, we’re in need of some […]
Stop Your Finger Pointing
14 Jun 2013
Delegates: whilst you sat around the Maritim fountain enjoying the balmy weather, Germany suffered historic flooding. It’s a pity the flooding was the physical variety, and not a flood of ambition washing over these negotiations. The SBI drowning in Russian bile was the disappointing low point of the last fortnight. Really? In two weeks you […]
Have You Hugged Your Climate Scientist Yet?
13 Jun 2013
In case you forgot that yesterday was "Hug a Climate Scientist Day", here's a handy guide:
ADP: A Detailed Proposal
13 Jun 2013
With less than 5 months until COP19, there is much homework for Parties to do on specific proposals for the nature and structure of the 2015 deal. By Warsaw, Parties need to broadly be able to answer the 5 Ws (who, what, where, when, why and how) for all elements of the deal. Take mitigation […]
Countries That Can Increase Their Ambition
13 Jun 2013
ECO is anxiously awaiting New Zealand's expected pledge by Warsaw. With that in mind, it seemed timely to revisit an article from last year's "CAN Collectibles" series on countries that can increase their ambition: New Zealand National term of endearment/greeting Bro/Mate Annual alcohol consumption 9.6 litres per person per year Annual cheese consumption […]
Poles Apart
13 Jun 2013
Poland is an extraordinary country. It has overcome many years of oppression and poverty to transform itself into a significant economic powerhouse and a proactive European player on diplomacy. But it appears the Polish government is willing to risk their status as rising international star, and allow its politics to be captured by high […]
Ludwig & Ludwiga
13 Jun 2013
Hello ECO readers. Just because the SBI won’t start this Bonn session (seriously Russia!!) it does not mean that ECO could conclude the fortnight without at least one piece of acerbic commentary from me, Ludwig (and my gender-balancing friend, Ludwiga). And do not be disappointed, we’ve got a good one for you! In Tuesday’s […]
OK Russia,
12 Jun 2013
now that our love affair is truly over, you’ve got us singing the blues: You never compromise anymore when we reach the limit And there’s no commitment like before when you ratified the KP You’re trying hard to provoke us, But comrade, comrade, I know it, You've lost, that lovin' feelin', Whoa, that lovin' […]
HFCs: Finally Phasing Out One Man-Made Problem?
12 Jun 2013
ECO was pleased to wake up Sunday to the news that Presidents Obama and Xi had agreed to work together to combat climate change by phasing down the super greenhouse gases, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), under the Montreal Protocol. An agreement under Montreal could prevent emissions of 100 billion tonnes CO2e by 2050. First that great […]