International climate talks kick off this week in Poznan, Poland. Around 192 delegates representing countries from around the world and over 9000 attendees will join in the 12 day conference. The aim is to find ways forward following the expiration of the Kyoto Protocol in 2012. Poznan will lay the groundwork for a new global treaty to be enacted in Copenhagen in December 2009.
Rather than focusing on specific emission reduction targets, the talks will work towards a common vision, and clarifying and agreement on instruments to be employed in the future. These instruments include things like financial tools (i.e. incentives for sustainable management of forests) and technological tools (such as carbon capture and storage technology).
These instruments form a wider strategy on climate change. Mr. Maas Goote, from the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning of the Netherlands, serves as lead climate negotiator of the EU in Poznan. As part of the larger strategy, Mr. Goote has identified the following elements:
1) Ambitious CO2 emissions reductions in the developed world
2) Mitigation in developing countries, such as China and Brazil
3) Development of green technological solutions and transfer to developing nations
4) Transfer of financial tools and incentives to developing nations
5) Adaptation of infrastructure and capacity building to deal with the effects of climate change
As one might imagine, with the diverse array of participant interests, and balancing the responsibilities of developed and developing nations, the discussions are likely to be incredibly challenging. As one of the UN officials stated, the talks are likely to be the "most complex international negotiation in history."
The Poznan talks come at a unique historical moment, with Barack Obama's recent election that will likely shift US future involvement in international climate change agreements, as well as the global economic meltdown threatening many nations' priority of environmental issues.
Eager to stop a backslide to "cheap and dirty" energy sources, UN Climate Chief Yvo de Boer issued a warning to governments not to pursue business as usual, and encouraged countries to pursue economic policies of green investment in clean technology. This echoed recent statements by Barack Obama calling for development of green jobs to help bolster the US economy. Obama will not be present and representing the US at the conference, but has stated openly that there will be discussion with US delegates in attendance.
Future US involvement is essential, but involvement of developing countries like China, Brazil, and India in this round of talks will help represent their needs and viewpoints in future agreements.
Other reading:
How will Obama solve the climate and energy problem?
Towards a new climate deal: The trail from Accra
