The Copenhagen Accord

As was being expected in the last few days of the COP, we do not have a "fair, ambitious and binding deal" in place. What we have is an agreement which is neither fair nor binding. It is being called the "Copenhagen Accord".

"We underline that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. We emphasise our strong political will to urgently combat climate change in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities." Though the accord boldly talks about the adverse impacts of climate change and claims to sympathize with the vulnerable regions, it's mostly talk at the end of the day.

"We agree that developed countries shall provide adequate, predictable and sustainable financial resources, technology and capacity building to support the implementation of adaptation actions in developing countries." This is a great acknowledgement but $30 bn till 2012 and $100 bn till 2020 with no clue of where this money will come from and no agreement on how it will be distributed is not substantive at all.

"Annex I Parties to the Convention commit to reducing their emissions individually or jointly by at least 80 percent by 2050. They also commit to implement individually or jointly, the quantified economy-wide emissions targets for 2020 as listed in appendix 1, yielding in aggregate reductions of greenhouse gas emissions of X percent in 2020 compared to 1990 and Y percent in 2020 compared to 2005." This is probably the best statement in the accord, given the amount of flexibility it provides. A heart-rendering display of sympathy towards the small island states and least developing countries!

"We call for a review of this Accord and its implementation to be completed by 2016, including in light of the Convention's ultimate objective. This review would include consideration of strengthening the long term goal to limit the increase in global average temperature of 1.5 degrees" Yes, we need to agree on something that's urgent, in 2016! We are working on 2 degrees as of now and have put 1.5 as part of a long-term goal!