Week two of the climate negotiations in Copenhagen continues to show promise, highlight fundamental disagreements, and cause concern that a global climate agreement will happen.

Here’s my take on the key areas for the negotiations:

Binding emissions reduction targets for developed nations

The world (both developed and developing nations) is looking to the United States to set emission reduction targets. President Obama has stated he is willing to set provisional emission reduction targets. But will the President’s reduction goals deliver the commitment the world is looking for?

Emission reduction targets for developing nations

Developing nations have made climate reduction promises but are unwilling to commit to binding reduction targets until the U.S. and developed nations have done so. India and China are the key nations in this discussion because they are listed as developing nations but represent the #1 and #3 spot for global greenhouse gas emitters.

Funding clean technology deployment to developing nations- “Show me the money”

Developing nations say that funding from developed nations for adaptation and mitigation of climate change should reach $100 billion a year by 2020.

Extend Kyoto agreement or develop a new climate agreement

Developing nations want to keep the two-track negotiation mechanism established in the Bali Action Plan which states developed countries should set emissions reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol. But will these negotiations produce a global climate agreement? The will seems to be present, however, it comes down to the willingness of developed and developing nations to give and take. So far, they are entrenched in their respective positions.

Say tuned to Net Green News for the latest updates.

---
Questions or comments for Dave?
Drop him a line at davescorner@netgreennews.com