Value-Addition to Obama’s Diplomacy
(Madan Menon Thottasseri)
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Despite a failed summit, the Political Accord arrived at had four benchmarks- a common long-term goal of keeping global temperature rise within two degrees Celsius; a commitment by all countries to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases that are warming the atmosphere; progress on tackling deforestation and the start of a fund which developing countries, especially the poorest ones which could use it to cope up with the effects of global warming. The Accord should launch a new era of green growth.
It is to be noted that the climate summit used the phrase that it had "taken note" of the Accord, mainly to satisfy and prompt the reluctant EU members to gesture their acceptance.
As per the Accord, developed nations have to report their mitigation actions by Feb 1, 2010.Large developing countries like India and China also have to report mitigation ambitions by the same deadline. Even though it is a political agreement, the Accord will be effective immediately and will commence the funding of USD 10 billion by Jan, 2010.
U.S had to sacrifice its goal of enshrining a global target of reducing greenhouse emissions in half by 2050, for which the developing nations were concerned and reluctant to embrace. The deal also does not set a 2010 deadline for reaching a formal treaty, which several nations had sought.
Finally the climate debate shifted to the domestic stage before reaching an Accord. Obama could play a good role while broking a deal. The modest agreement may help the Obama administration as it will push Congress to pass the landmark climate-change legislation. By not committing the United States to new standards and by insisting on monitoring cuts made by other nations, the administration can say passage of domestic legislation would not put the United States at a competitive disadvantage with other nations, particularly China.
Despite Obama’s presence, the crucial climate summit failed and did not result in a consensus. But his attempts that brokered a US-BASIC political deal were hailed by political fronts in U.S as ‘commendable’. Political analysts praised the U.S leadership and recent investments in national energy policies. They believed that Obama’s leadership provided the constructive engagement with the world community which helped to arrive at the Accord. Indirectly Obama made U.S a beneficiary of the Accord!
(Madan Menon Thottasseri)
_________________________________________________
Despite a failed summit, the Political Accord arrived at had four benchmarks- a common long-term goal of keeping global temperature rise within two degrees Celsius; a commitment by all countries to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases that are warming the atmosphere; progress on tackling deforestation and the start of a fund which developing countries, especially the poorest ones which could use it to cope up with the effects of global warming. The Accord should launch a new era of green growth.
It is to be noted that the climate summit used the phrase that it had "taken note" of the Accord, mainly to satisfy and prompt the reluctant EU members to gesture their acceptance.
As per the Accord, developed nations have to report their mitigation actions by Feb 1, 2010.Large developing countries like India and China also have to report mitigation ambitions by the same deadline. Even though it is a political agreement, the Accord will be effective immediately and will commence the funding of USD 10 billion by Jan, 2010.
U.S had to sacrifice its goal of enshrining a global target of reducing greenhouse emissions in half by 2050, for which the developing nations were concerned and reluctant to embrace. The deal also does not set a 2010 deadline for reaching a formal treaty, which several nations had sought.
Finally the climate debate shifted to the domestic stage before reaching an Accord. Obama could play a good role while broking a deal. The modest agreement may help the Obama administration as it will push Congress to pass the landmark climate-change legislation. By not committing the United States to new standards and by insisting on monitoring cuts made by other nations, the administration can say passage of domestic legislation would not put the United States at a competitive disadvantage with other nations, particularly China.
Despite Obama’s presence, the crucial climate summit failed and did not result in a consensus. But his attempts that brokered a US-BASIC political deal were hailed by political fronts in U.S as ‘commendable’. Political analysts praised the U.S leadership and recent investments in national energy policies. They believed that Obama’s leadership provided the constructive engagement with the world community which helped to arrive at the Accord. Indirectly Obama made U.S a beneficiary of the Accord!
The Copenhagen Accord should give an impetus to consolidate the global strength instead of further intensifying differences in global views.
Let EU relinquish selfish interests and think beyond Europe, gracefully co-operate with U.S and BASIC BLOC for taking the mantle at the ensuing summit to be held in Mexico by Mid 2010.
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