Disappointment at Climate Conference weakening of several provisions

Paris UN Climate Conference 2015: Australia has ‘serious concerns’ about climate draft, SMH December 11, 2015 Peter Hannam and Tom Arup“…..Speaking on behalf of a collection of non-European industrialised countries known as “the umbrella group”, Australian lead negotiator Peter Woolcott said: “We are deeply disappointed at the weakening of several provisions.”

He said the group wanted an ambitious agreement that motivated all countries and did not bind them into historic static groupings – a reference to the long-term divide between developed and developing nations.

“We must avoid a situation where, in an effort to reach consensus, we strip the Paris outcome of its ability to be a genuine step change,” Mr Woolcott said.

Meanwhile, the new high ambition coalition, which is understood to have come together through a series of informal gatherings during the year, said it would push for the strongest deal possible.

“We will not accept a minimalist or bare bones agreement,” Tony De Brum, minister of foreign affairs for the Marshall Islands and chair of the group, said.

Mr De Brum said an ambitious treaty would include a goal of keeping warming to 1.5 degrees, have a clear pathway to a low-carbon future, five-yearly updates, a strong package of support for developing countries and aid of at least A$136 billion a year……

while progress edged forward on some fronts, they retreated on others. The EU criticised the omission from the draft of pollution from the shipping and air transport sectors – key industries that cross international boundarie: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/un-climate-conference/paris-un-climate-conference-2015-high-ambition-coalition-emerges-to-spur-deal-20151209-gljuha.html#ixzz3u3jcs2xU