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UN climate talks begin as global temperatures break records | UN climate talks begin as global temperatures break records |
(about 13 hours later) | |
A key UN climate meeting in Peru has opened with negotiators attempting to advance a new global agreement. | |
One hundred and ninety-five nations have committed to finalising a new climate pact in Paris by 2015's end. | One hundred and ninety-five nations have committed to finalising a new climate pact in Paris by 2015's end. |
The process has been boosted by recent developments, including a joint announcement on cutting carbon by the US and China. | The process has been boosted by recent developments, including a joint announcement on cutting carbon by the US and China. |
The two weeks of discussions have started amid record-breaking global temperatures for the year to date. | |
According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa), the global average temperature over land and ocean from January to October was the hottest since records began in 1880. | According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa), the global average temperature over land and ocean from January to October was the hottest since records began in 1880. |
Speaking at the opening ceremony in Lima, UN climate chief Christiana Figueres said that the conference had to make history. | |
"2014 is threatening to be the hottest year in history and emissions continue to rise, we need to act urgently," she told the negotiators. | |
"We should be able to lay the foundations for a strong agreement in Paris and raise the level of our ambitions so that gradually over the long term we are able to achieve climate neutrality - this is the only way to truly achieve sustainable development for all." | |
Forward momentum | Forward momentum |
Delegates will attempt to build on the this year's positive momentum that has seen a new political engagement with the process. | |
In September, millions of people took to the streets of cities all over the world in a demonstration of popular support for a new approach. | In September, millions of people took to the streets of cities all over the world in a demonstration of popular support for a new approach. |
Days later, 125 world leaders attended a meeting called by the UN secretary general, where they re-affirmed their commitments to tackle the problem through a new global agreement. | Days later, 125 world leaders attended a meeting called by the UN secretary general, where they re-affirmed their commitments to tackle the problem through a new global agreement. |
The chances of that happening were increased by November's announcement from the US and China, with the Chinese signalling that their emissions would peak around 2030. | The chances of that happening were increased by November's announcement from the US and China, with the Chinese signalling that their emissions would peak around 2030. |
The European Union also contributed to the positive mood by agreeing climate targets for 2030. | The European Union also contributed to the positive mood by agreeing climate targets for 2030. |
There has also been good news on climate finance. The UN's Green Climate Fund (GCF) secured over $9bn in commitments at a recent pledging conference in Berlin. | There has also been good news on climate finance. The UN's Green Climate Fund (GCF) secured over $9bn in commitments at a recent pledging conference in Berlin. |
Now in Lima, the negotiating teams will try to boost these advances and maintain a momentum that will survive to Paris. But observers say there are many "formidable challenges" ahead. | Now in Lima, the negotiating teams will try to boost these advances and maintain a momentum that will survive to Paris. But observers say there are many "formidable challenges" ahead. |
"Ultimately this is not a problem that can be solved by just the US, China, and the EU," said Paul Bledsoe, senior climate fellow with the German Marshall Fund of the US. | "Ultimately this is not a problem that can be solved by just the US, China, and the EU," said Paul Bledsoe, senior climate fellow with the German Marshall Fund of the US. |
"There's a whole series of countries - Canada, Australia, Japan, Russia, South Africa, Brazil and Indonesia - who have not made commitments (to cut emissions) and we don't know yet how robust their commitments are." | "There's a whole series of countries - Canada, Australia, Japan, Russia, South Africa, Brazil and Indonesia - who have not made commitments (to cut emissions) and we don't know yet how robust their commitments are." |
Form and function | Form and function |
One key element of the puzzle that needs to be resolved in Peru is the scale of "intended nationally determined contributions" (INDC). | One key element of the puzzle that needs to be resolved in Peru is the scale of "intended nationally determined contributions" (INDC). |
By the end of March next year, all countries are expected to announce the level of their efforts to cut carbon as part of the Paris deal. | By the end of March next year, all countries are expected to announce the level of their efforts to cut carbon as part of the Paris deal. |
But, as yet, there is no agreement on what should be included or excluded from these INDC statements. | But, as yet, there is no agreement on what should be included or excluded from these INDC statements. |
"Developed countries want a narrow scope for those guidelines, but developing countries are pushing for finance and adaption in them," said Liz Gallagher from the think-tank E3G, and a long-time observer of the UN talks process. | "Developed countries want a narrow scope for those guidelines, but developing countries are pushing for finance and adaption in them," said Liz Gallagher from the think-tank E3G, and a long-time observer of the UN talks process. |
"That seems to be a tactical move to make sure that finance and adaptation get more political attention than in the past - for me that's where the big tensions in Lima will be." | "That seems to be a tactical move to make sure that finance and adaptation get more political attention than in the past - for me that's where the big tensions in Lima will be." |
As well as the INDC discussion, there will be strong debate about what needs to be included in the final text. Parties are likely to clash over the long-term goal of any new agreement and its legal shape. | As well as the INDC discussion, there will be strong debate about what needs to be included in the final text. Parties are likely to clash over the long-term goal of any new agreement and its legal shape. |
Many countries, including the US, have signalled that they will be unable to enter a legally binding deal on emissions cuts. | Many countries, including the US, have signalled that they will be unable to enter a legally binding deal on emissions cuts. |
There will also be pressure for countries to come up with significant contributions in the period up to 2020 when a new deal is likely to come into force. | There will also be pressure for countries to come up with significant contributions in the period up to 2020 when a new deal is likely to come into force. |
There are concerns that the scale of division between the interests of richer and poorer countries could lead to stalemate. | There are concerns that the scale of division between the interests of richer and poorer countries could lead to stalemate. |
"I believe the developing countries need to be careful who they allow to speak as their leadership," said Paul Bledsoe. | "I believe the developing countries need to be careful who they allow to speak as their leadership," said Paul Bledsoe. |
"I don't believe that petrol states like Saudi Arabia or Venezuela are the appropriate leaders for the interests of less rich countries, most of whom do not have fossil resources. | "I don't believe that petrol states like Saudi Arabia or Venezuela are the appropriate leaders for the interests of less rich countries, most of whom do not have fossil resources. |
"It is important that the great majority of developing countries who don't have fossil resources don't get gamed by those who do." | "It is important that the great majority of developing countries who don't have fossil resources don't get gamed by those who do." |
Many attendees believe that the concerns about temperatures, and the engagement of political leaders, as demonstrated in recent months, will be positive for the process. | Many attendees believe that the concerns about temperatures, and the engagement of political leaders, as demonstrated in recent months, will be positive for the process. |
"I think, this top-down pressure will force countries to think they can't always retreat to their old school lines," said Liz Gallagher. | "I think, this top-down pressure will force countries to think they can't always retreat to their old school lines," said Liz Gallagher. |
"Whether that will be positive or negative, I think that disruption to the negotiation dynamic is helpful at this stage. | "Whether that will be positive or negative, I think that disruption to the negotiation dynamic is helpful at this stage. |
"I think the countries' 'true colours' will start to come out a bit. That's useful for the public to know." | "I think the countries' 'true colours' will start to come out a bit. That's useful for the public to know." |
Follow Matt on Twitter @mattmcgrathbbc. | Follow Matt on Twitter @mattmcgrathbbc. |