Tag: Fossil

#1 CANADA

URGENCY NOW, ACTION MAYBE LATER

#2 UNITED STATES

INFINITE WAYS TO DEFER URGENCY

Extra Extra! The US wins the first Fossil of the Day for 2011! 

This fossil is formally presented for their complete refusal to accept the concept of a common/standardized accounting system for measuring national emissions reductions towards their target.  

During Sunday’s workshop on national mitigation targets and strategies, the US made it exceptionally clear that they do not envision a common accounting framework.  ECO noted the continual expressions of that view by the US, while noticing that the US seemed to be pretty alone in that view.  The irony of that position became even more glaring as the US raised several questions in the developing country session regarding a common framework for developing business-as-usual scenarios for developing emissions.  The irony wasn’t lost on ECO. One can only hope that the US will “review the tape” and remember that the US has always been a strong proponent of rigorous rules.  Maybe a relaxing spa treatment in Bangkok will refresh their memory.

#1 - Saudi Arabia

For suggesting a scheduled SBI agenda item on enhancing observer participation was, in effect, a waste of time.

First place fossil goes to these four Parties for risking the good faith and integrity of the negotiations by blocking all attempts to secure a technical review of the 1.5 target and suggesting that vulnerable countries use Google to get information that they need/want. They did this in the teeth of emotional pleas from vulnerable countries and 
numerous rounds of diplomatic efforts to reach a compromise.

Saudi Arabia even gave us a list of traded goods which would be in peril from a 1.5 target. See if you can spot which one is their true concern: rice, cocoa, tomatoes, coal, oil.  (If you’re stuck, look up their chief export on Google.)