Green Options

Both United States and European Union are considering to limit United Nations role in international climate negotiations as the results of the Copenhagen meeting and the discussions which preceded the summit. But they must ensure that with concentrated negotiations must also consider the scientific facts which call for an urgent action to reduce carbon emissions.

The UN ‘Drag’

European Union would push for climate negotiations through the G20 which comprises of developed and advanced developing countries who are the centre of the controversial Copenhagen Accord. Many experts feel that the core issues, which would eventually determine the succes or success of the implementation of the next climate treaty, like trade issues, transfer of clean technology, financial assistance etc. should be discussed at smaller and more concentrated forums like the G20.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) - a scientific body set up by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and UNEP celebrated twenty years of its existence on the 31st of last month. At its 29th session, the IPCC re-elected by acclamation, its Chairman Dr. R.K. Pachauri to a second term. A new IPCC Bureau and Task Force Bureau were also selected in the process.

Last year had been glorious for the IPCC and for climate change research and action.  Especially historical was the 10th of December, 2007 when the IPCC (and Albert Arnold Gore Jr.) were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize “for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change”.

It is thus not too surprising, that the then Chairman has been re-elected, unopposed, for a second term by the IPCC.