New optimism as leaders are said to have broken deadlock
Journalists view proceedings from the screen
The arrival of United States President Barack Obama in Copenhagen this morning has added new optimism that world leaders may finally come up with a deal to control global warming.
The talks had deadlocked until yesterday when leaders of key countries especially in Europe, the US arrived at the Bella centre – venue for climate talks.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had announced in the afternoon that the US would back a fund to raise some US 100 billion by 2020. She didn’t elaborate on where the money would come from or whether it would be new money as many NGOs are demanding
But if there is any chance of a meaningful deal at all, credit should go French President Nicholas Sarkozy who called for a late night meeting of 22 countries to try to solve the impasse.
Civil Society protest after they were chased from the talks
Sources say the meeting ended at around 1pm and that some form of agreement was reached.
A document leaked late last evening suggesting that developed countries would agree to capping their emissions at 3 degrees.
African countries, NGOs and IPCC scientists had insisted this would be catastrophic for countries in Africa and in the Oceans that are at the forefront of climate change. It is said that at 2 degrees, temperatures in Africa will be 3.5 degrees higher.
China is also said to have relaxed its opposition to the highly controvercial clause that demands full transparency in monitoring whether or not countries stick to their commitments in reducing emissions.
An estimated 2000 journalists are waiting anxiously in and outside the media centre. But NGOs were chassed away following Wednesday’s bloody protests.
It is understood that some disagreement remains over the management of funds. US wants the money to be managed by the World Bank, but several NGOs including Action aid Denmark have put up a spirited fight to oppose that.
The clear thing is that it is very uncertain how talks could end. Today is the last day and negotiations have ended. All that is left is to announce how talks have ended.
By Henry Lutaaya
