|
Home > COP-12 > ngo-newsletter

COP 12 - Nairobi
Newsletters and Bulletins
ECO The NGO newsletter published on site during the United Nations COP-12 climate change conference in Nairobi

Fossil of the Day
During United Nations climate change negotiations members of Climate Action Network International (of which CAN Canada is part), vote for the country judged to have made the worst input to the negotiations. As with previous COPs, up to three Fossil-of-the-Day awards were presented at COP-12 each day during the conference.
|
 |
 |
November 8, 2006 - First Place
Canada won first place on November 8, 2006 for misrepresenting its commitments, at the previous day’s Ad Hoc Working Group meeting, to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 45 to 65 per cent by 2050.
The problem? It did not state these reductions were based on a 2003 base year and not 1990. It should be noted that between 1990 and 2003, GHG emissions in Canada increased by 24 per cent.
|
November 13, 2006 - Canada Number 1 'Fossil of the Day' Again!
On November 13th, Canada and Australia tied for first place. Both were found guilty for making ridiculous claims to the press of their countries and for misleading the public.
Canada has said that although domestic opposition is making noise about the Harper government's lack of commitment to Kyoto, they still have the support of the international community. Canadian spokespersons claim that all developed countries are standing together and have the same challenges to face. (Really?)
For her part, Environment minister Rona Ambrose has been quoted in the media saying that Canada is meeting all of its responsibilities under the Kyoto protocol - except for the bit about emissions targets.
November 14, 2006 - Again!
Canada, USA and Australia were jointly awarded the only Fossil of the Day on November 14th for blocking progress on the new mechanism of Technology Transfer proposed by the G77 and China. It has been 14 years of workshops, reports, seminars, discussions, etc. without any substance or real form of action! Are these countries going to do anything productive, ever?
November 16, 2006 - Twice in one day!
First Place
...for Environment Minister Rona Ambrose's attempt to mislead the international community by claiming that her climate plan "recognizes the need for urgent action so that we can finally make progress towards our 2012 international obligations". In reality, this "plan" repudiates Kyoto by delaying GHG regulations until late 2010, refusing to invest in the CDM (emission reductions in developing countries), and allowing Canada's emissions to stay above current levels until 2020-25.
Second Place
...for using Ambrose's speech in the Nairobi climate conference high level segment as a venue for flagrant partisanship. Instead of offering up a vision or leadership on the climate crisis, Ms. Ambrose chose to wash Canada's political laundry on the international stage. It is unthinkable that this kind of speech would be heard at international climate negotiations. Canadian observers were shocked and embarrassed.
|
|