Africa team pessimistic over climate talks

ADDIS ABABA, Wednesday

Africa's climate change negotiators have expressed their frustration in reaching a deal with their Western counterparts for the upcoming United Nations climate summit in Copenhagen, Denmark.

After a failure of recent pre-conference negotiations in Bangkok, Thailand, African negotiators expressed their worry about the outcome of the main conference scheduled for December.

During their final preparation meeting for the Copenhagen summit, African negotiators told reporters in Addis Ababa it was too late to make a difference in the current climate change negotiation scenario.

Alf Wills, representing African Environment minister’s bloc (AMCEN) from South Africa said the option left for Copenhagen talks is to either compromise the position or postpone the negotiation beyond the summit.

“Even the remaining consultation time is not sufficient,” Alf warned.

Negotiators will have only 11 days of talks to fix their wide disagreement in Copenhagen and there will be five days of cross-continental consultation next week in Barcelona, Spain.

Kamel Djemoual, chair of the African group of negotiators and Algerian Environment minister was also pessimistic about the outcome of the Copenhagen talks.

“There will not be different outcome in Copenhagen than Bangkok” Kamel added.

However, African negotiators are seeking the sympathy of African media organisations to cover the Copenhagen summit from African perspectives and interests.

A month ago, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, leader of African delegation threatened to walk out the negotiations if African minimum demands were ignored by rich nations.

Africa requires at least US$300 billion funding to developing nations by 2020 and measurable emission cut by developed world.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) also issued a warning to the world that a lack of political nerve could divert the world from achieving a climate deal in Copenhagen.

“The world is looking for leadership, but instead the leaders are starting to hand out their excuses in advance.” said Kim Carstensen, Leader of WWF’s Global Climate Initiative.

Africa's concern grew after a recent meeting in Bangkok failed to reach on the consensus on most pertinent issues. Developed nations agreed only to support on adaptation fund for the developing world.