As the talks started at the beginning of this week I noticed the atmosphere had changed. Up until then I had felt the mood was too gloomy: then it felt too optimistic, with people assuming because some of the key countries have put numbers on the table, success had somehow become inevitable.
That feeling didn’t last long, when there was a leak of a text that appeared to cause uproar. Old hands, who are familiar with these processes, pointed out this was inevitable and there could well be more such leaks and more such outrage. There will certainly be more disagreement. And the dynamics are hard to predict as further texts and “non-papers” are issued and scrutinised.
What is needed is momentum. Europe today has the chance to inject that. In Brussels at the European Council Gordon Brown will be pushing for greater EU ambition on both emissions cuts and immediate finance, and also continue to argue for a global commitment to long term finance with Europe playing its part.
As ministers join me here in Copenhagen over the weekend we should make the most of any progress made in Brussels.
Having arrived in a city besieged by people and paper, I am already clear about one thing, Copenhagen is not just another international negotiation. It is a crucial moment of choice for all of us. I am determined that we will make the right choice.
Whether these talks succeed or fail, the world will be transformed by the middle of this century. Our choice is how. We can choose a future we want for ourselves and our children or we can let events choose a less positive future for us.
Our guest writer is Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change
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• And stay tuned for an exclusive Left Foot Forward poll on Sunday covering public attitudes and Copenhagen.
UPDATE 08.59
Left Foot Forward understands that the Prime Minister will say in his press conference with President Sarkozy this morning in Brussels:
“I believe Europe will today make an offer to push forward the Copenhagen talks. Europe will pay its share of a $10 billion fast track finance fund. Europe will also offer to pay its fair share of the $100 billion long-term finance required annually by 2020.”
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20 Responses to “The atmosphere has changed in Copenhagen”
Claire Spencer
I think we’re all concerned about what can be achieved at Copenhagen – indeed, a little frightened at what could happen if it fails to achieve what is required. For my part, I just hope that the regulations surrounding cap and trade are meaningful. The prices should reflect the social cost, and big businesses should not be able to get away with freebies.
But we can’t lose hope simply based on the enormity of the task – because then we will just lose. So good on Ed for keeping up that drive and optimism over what has been a trying and difficult period.
Anon E Mouse
David Wearing – Labour’s core vote isn’t listening, why would they?
The working class in this country cares about jobs and their financial situation and really doesn’t give a s*&t about climate change.
As far as we’re concerned it’s just an excuse to tax us to the hilt and to just have that unelected, dithering idiot, Gordon Brown, announce he’s going to give £1.5 billion of OUR money to some stupid fund is a disgraceful way to behave.
Tell me when anyone asked the electorate if they agree with this type of spending? Most would support that money going on body armour for our troops that Climate Change.
The Tories are even more stupid on this matter – they want to stop the third runway at Heathrow. What planet do the political classes in this country live on?
Oh and progressive (whatever that means) voters are in a severe minority in this country. No one’s listening guys and with government ministers such as Ed Miliband in charge it’s easy to see why.
Remind me again exactly what real job Ed Miliband has ever done?
Shamik Das
Check this out —> RT @wdjstraw: @EdMilibandMP writes exclusively for @leftfootfwd on his 1st morning in Copenhagen: http://bit.ly/4GO2pD
Tim Nicholls
Great short article by @EdMilibandMP on @Leftfootfwd about arriving in Copenhagen and the mood http://bit.ly/4GO2pD #cop15
Chris
So in the week that the Government announces another rise in National Insurance and £36bn cuts in public spending (still not nearly enough to get the deficit under control by the way), they are throwing £1.5bn in the direction of so-called “poorer countries”. Some serious prioritising needs to be done here! Yet more wastage of our money from this hopelessly discredited government.