COPENHAGEN: The hopeful and optimistic mood at the opening of the UN Climate Change Conference did not last for too long. On Wednesday, it was replaced by anger, disappointment and mistrust over the emergence of the infamous so-called “leaked Danish documents.†The documents widened the gap between the developing and developed countries, just when they were slowly bridging towards an agreement everybody agreed on. While the worst of the effects may have passed, the damage done may be irreversible. Did Denmark unintentionally hijack its very own Copenhagen meeting? “The Danish Prime Minister´s proposed text is weak and reflects a too elitist, selective and non-transparent approach by the Danish presidency,†Kim Carstensen, leader of WWF Global Climate Initiative, said in an issued statement. The text proposes emission targets for all nations except the least developed countries (LDC), in contrast to the Kyoto Protocol which only had emission targets for the industrialized nations. The developing countries are also angry because through the agreement, they would only receive adaptation aid if they fulfill a set of predefined conditions. So if they fail to fulfill them, they don’t receive the aid. And the money would not go to the governments of the country, but would be set up as a fund at the World Bank. Chief negotiator of the G77 bloc (which represents the developing world), Sudanese born Lumumba Di-Aping, likened it to signing their own “death pact.†All events of the day today were overshadowed by questions and corridor rumors about the Danish text, and the state of the negotiators. UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer appeared tense during his daily press conference. Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen was also worried during the plenary session. But for now, everyone is holding their breath. Waiting to see what will happen. At least the G77 bloc have stated they would not walk out on COP15 so that’s a good a sign. BM
