Today's Report From the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen

Dr. Anita Halvorssen reports from today's proceedings at the the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen:

We all woke up quite hopeful when we heard the news that a high-level meeting of 26 heads of state and others negotiated until 2am this morning at the Bella Center. They had agreed on a draft text, the Copenhagen Accords, that still had to be accepted by other Parties. There was agreement on limiting the increase in global temperatures to two degree Celsius from the pre-industrial levels. Developed countries agreed to "support the goal of mobilizing" $100 billion for helping developing countries mitigate and adapt to climate change. The text still not been made publicly available.

At noon there was an Informal High Level Meeting. The Danish Prime Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, upon opening the meeting, stated that the Parties have to look beyond Copenhagen. China’s Premier, Wen Jiabao, said China would cut its emissions intensity by 40-45% by 2020, from 2005 levels. The Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, said Brazil would reduce its emission intensity by 36.1% to 38.9% by 2020 and reduce destruction of Amazon rainforest by 80% by 2020, costing Brazil $166 billion. Common but differentiated responsibility should be the guiding principle, Lula said. Countries contributing funds, have a right to demand transparency and compliance, but need to be careful of not intervening in developing countries. Lula said Brazil was willing to sacrifice even more to help other countries. Brazil is willing to participate in the financing piece if there is an agreement, Lula said.

The United States President, Barak Obama, said we must act together, agree to certain steps, and hold each other accountable. He said that all major economies need to put forward targets. The US will reduce its emissions by 17% by 2020. Furthermore, Obama said we must have mechanism to review that the reductions are actually carried out, not intrusive, but ensuring that the accord is credible. Finally, Obama said that regarding financing to help developing countries adapt to climate change, the US will contribute $10billion until 2012 and $100 billion by 2020.

Japan’s Prime Minister, Yukio Hatoyama, said that Japan is willing to contribute $15 billion up to 2012 , $11 billion of it in public funds. He said we have to rise above our diverse national interests to save the planet and our children.

A new round of negotiations, a High Level Meeting began at 4:30pm, with Parties from 26 countries participating. As of 10:30pm there were no conclusions to the negotiations.

The one point the Parties seem to have agreed upon on is the 2 degree limit on the temperature rise. It is being called the Copenhagen Outcome. The most contentious issue is whether China will agree to transparency in fulfilling its commitments, which the US insists upon. There is also disagreement over the timing and extent of emissions cuts, but 80% by 2050 is the goal that has long been mentioned. The plan of adopting a legally binding treaty on climate change next year has been abandoned.

To be continued tomorrow!

Dr. Halvorssen, who teaches at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, is attending the proceedings for the Prof. Ved Nanda Center for the Study of International Law and accredited by the American Society of International Law.

The NGO Forum at the Climate Change conference.