U.S. "stumbling block" in U.N. climate talks - Mexico

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

Wednesday October 7, 2009
U.S. "stumbling block" in U.N. climate talks - Mexico
By David Fogarty and Chisa Fujioka

BANGKOK (Reuters) - The United States came under pressure to show leadership in U.N. climate talks on Wednesday with Mexico saying its neighbour is a stumbling block in efforts to try to craft a tough global climate agreement by December.

The United States has been criticised by developing countries and green groups in talks in the Thai capital for not being able to put a tough emissions reduction target for 2020 on the table, instead focusing on a 2050 target.

Developing nations also worry over Washington's position that any new climate pact should set legally binding domestic steps to cut emissions as a benchmark for global action to fight climate change.

"I think that they are in an uncomfortable position since they cannot put on the table any figures unless the Congress process is clearer," Fernando Tudela, head of the Mexican climate delegation in Bangkok, told Reuters in an interview. "They are increasingly identified as a stumbling block for the negotiations and it's up to them to dispel this perception and to show the real leadership we're expecting from them."


Read more: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/10/7/worldupdates/2009-10-07T141025Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNC_0_-429740-3&sec=Worldupdates

[excess_3]

1. the countries that want this, need to go first .nt

[pampango]

2. Which countries don't want this?

I do agree that it is always better if someone else goes first, it's just not always possible.

It's kind of like with trade talks or disarmament talks. It's easier to achieve "We'll cut our tariffs if you cut yours" or "We'll reduce the number of our missiles and warheads if you do" than it is to convince another country or countries of "Go ahead and reduce your tariffs if you want to, we'll think about it" or "Go ahead and destroy your missiles and warheads and we may do the same".

Many international issues - climate change, trade, disarmament and others - are more effectively dealt with by multilateral, simultaneous action than by each country dealing with the problem on its own and at a time of its choosing. It's also more politically viable to tell your people that we're agreeing to do this because X, Y and Z countries are doing the same, so that no one gets an advantage out of it.

[excess_3]

3. which countries DO want this?

I estimate 40% support for this, in the US.
not surprising, as people in the US seem somewhat backward

perhaps the more enlightened people of the
world could go first

[pampango]

5. I think that was Georgie Boy's climate change strategy. "Let the more enlightened people

of the world go first." Not sure how well that strategy actually works.

I'm not sure what your answer to my "What countries don't want this?" is.

You lost me with "which countries DO want this?" - your point is that few countries do want this or that the US is the only one that doesn't want it.
and "perhaps the more enlightened people of the world could go first" - there are plenty of enlightened people in the world.

[excess_3]

6. to answer your question directly ...

>I'm not sure what your answer to my "What countries don't want this?" is.<

IMO, the answer is, every country.
.......................................................
the Kyoto treaty's numerical limits,
are in effect today.
how is the treaty doing?

...most of the world didn't want to be on Annex 1, (so limits don't apply)
........(nothing prevents non-Annex 1 countries with adopting their own
.......... laws to comply with Kyoto targets, but none have)
...Canada has blow off the treaty
...Russia and Australia get a free ride, for various reasons
...Europe gets something of a free ride, I'm not sure
.......if Europe is in compliance or not, or if the limits are really limiting
...Japan is over the limit, but is buying carbon offsets
(if anyone has useful numbers to add here, please post)
...................................

[Name removed]

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