Reporting and commentary from OnEarth editors and correspondents
Copenhagen Update: Climate talks extended into Saturday
6:40 pm Copenhagen time -- The United Nations climate group has officially extended COP15 into Saturday. World leaders and negotiating teams have been in meetings since midday, still attempting to make a breakthrough on a "political accord" of common understandings about a new climate change agreement.
Call it COP15.1
Among the many juicy, unconfirmed rumors and tweets from journalists and adocacy group staffers [[and their ratings on the Truth-o-meter]]:
- The delegations are up to a sixth version of a draft "Copenhagen accord." The accord is "political," that is, a statement of agreed-upon principles, not the formal successor to the Kyoto accord. [[Truth-o-meter rating: high]]
- Targets and timetables have wandered as each draft has been leaked to press. [[Truth-o-meter rating: high]]
- The latest mentions a target of keeping mean global temperature rise at or below 1.5 degrees Centigrade, and drops a 2010 deadline for a final treaty. [[Truth-o-meter rating: medium. This may actually refer to the fourth leaked draft.]]
- The discussions are now boiling down to arguments about procedure: majority vote vs. consensus. Total meltdown looming. [[Truth-o-meter rating: medium-high]]
- Obama is locked in a second meeting with Premier Wen at this very moment. [[Truth-o-meter rating: medium-high]]
- President Obama and Premier Wen will have a bilateral talks (i.e., meet alone) at 7:00 pm Copenhagen time -- in about a half hour. [[Truth-o-meter rating: low]]
- Premier Wen is infuriated by President Obama's speech and has already left the building. [[Truth-o-meter rating: rock bottom]]
Image: "This sign was placed two days ago, after the majority of civil society groups were kicked out of the conference." Photo by Matthew McDermott via Flickr COP15 Photo Pool.
See more of Emily's reports from Copenhagen as part of OnEarth's ongoing coverage.
As new content on your chosen topic gets posted, you'll receive an automated email via FeedMyInbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Send Me New Posts By Emily Gertz






















