COP17 climate talks: a draft text has been published with a “roadmap” to a new legal framework for a global climate change agreement beyond 2020. The document follows most of the EU roadmap for a new global deal; governments will be asked to sign at the UN climate change talks  on Friday night. So, Durban its holding its breath: will China, India and U.S. accept a legally binding treaty? Anyway, Europe and many countries vulnerable to climate impacts say that an agreement to cut emissions beyond 2020 is too late to prevent major consequences. Cuts should start well before.
“We need to get them on board today. The world is waiting for them.” With only few hours left to reach a deal, European Union climate commissioner Connie Hedegaard made a passionate speech to the remaining large economies to join its plan. China, India and the U.S., in fact, have not made clear signals yet on the EU proposal, the roadmap to start negotiations on a new legally binding agreement on global warming beyond 2020.
As the negotiations moved into their final hours, Europe’s roadmap won support from Tosi Mpanu Mpanu, the chair of the 54 African nations. Yesterday he said that its position had moved closer to Europe and those developing countries who have supported the Europe’s calls for a legally binding agreement covering all nations to start as soon as possible. Africa would concentrate its demands on seeking a second commitment period of the Kyoto protocol and the creation of a new green fund to protect Africa from climate change.
Durban, which nations are really responsible for climate change? See the world’s carbon emissions with this new interactive map.
Global warming will improve solar power in Europe but causes damages everywhere; scientists have studied how climate change, in particular changes in temperature and in sunlight distribution, will influence solar technologies.
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Photo by UNclimatechange