Copenhagen failure
7-18 December 2009, Copenhagen
Rather than starting a new decade full of hope, developing countries have been failed by the outcome of the United Nations climate change talks in Copenhagen.
In the run up to the summit, hopes were high for a fair and just deal for those most vulnerable to climate change, yet no legally binding deal was agreed.
At the last minute a 'deal' was agreed by world leaders, but the 'Copenhagen Accord' leaves much to be desired. The main points include:
- No emission reduction targets for industrialised counties
- No plan for how to implement adaptation support for developing counties
- No timeframe for resolving these issues
It is felt the Copenhagen COP has put talks back by two years, leaving developing countries not further forward than they were following the Bali talks in 2007, where it was decided 2009 would be the final deadline for a post Kyoto successor.
And while NGOs and key members of country delegations were effectively locked out of the talks or forced to queue for hours, celebrity and rock stars seemingly had easy access to the conference. This meant experts were unable to scrutinise text coming out of the conference and raise important questions regarding the detail.
This year's indecision and lack of leadership means millions of people across the world will continue to suffer as climate injustice adversely affects the lives of those who have done little to contribute to the problem.
Blog from Copenhagen
Our international team reported back with in-depth news and comment from the UNFCCC talks.
20 December
The Copenhagen climate conference has failed the most vulnerable people. We hoped that justice would prevail; that in 2009, those responsible for climate change would face up to the crisis looming and act - stop contributing to the problem and start compensating those already suffering. This was has not happened ... Read more in the full blog»
Copenhagen coverage on Facebook
Videos and comments through our Copenhagen Coverage on Facebook.
Copenhagen live on Twitter
Live coverage from the climate change talks on Twitter: twitter.com/ClimateCoverage
UNFCCC COP15 Copenhagen 2009
Find out what the climate change conference had to deliver if the world was to avoid the worst impacts of climate change and those already suffering were to be able to adapt.
Why we needed a fair deal at Copenhagen
Veena Khaleque, director of Practical Action Bangladesh, and Daniel Rodríquez (Programme Director, Practical Action Latin America), explain why the developing world needed a fair, ambitious and effective deal that will end climate injustice and avert the worst impacts of climate change.
Human chain - 11 December 2009
There is a fear that the voices of indigenous groups are not being heard. The seemingly never ending chain is a protest to highlight that groups such as the Amazonian peoples have no rights within the negotiations and that their perspectives are not being listened to by industrialised nations:
