At COP 18, the difference between the urgent need to act and the inertia of UN climate negotiations has never been so marked. Neither has the gap in expectations between developed and developing nations. For the most vulnerable countries, the offer on the table threatens to lock in failure.
Hot air threatens to neuter Kyoto, and reduce ambition of future treaties. Plus: When will we see Obama’s ‘coming out’ climate party? When will rich emerging nations throw their hat into the ring? And why most fossils speak English.
Not very well, if we want to avoid 2°C warming. But Australia’s new carbon commitment does have some important upsides – and a silver lining.
COP18′s resolution to achieve a new legally binding agreement by 2015 will increase the level of scrutiny on Australia’s contribution over the next two years.
Whatever its outcome, Doha must provide a wake-up call for all governments to re-double their efforts and increase the pace of negotiations.
From 2015, Australia will have a hard pollution limit on major emitting industries. So why are we aiming so low with our Kyoto 2 commitment?
With the carbon price and bipartisan support for Kyoto 2, Australia is well placed to use the Doha climate summit to help strengthen global ambition.
