Doha Briefs: Common Accounting Mechanism and the Status Quo Games

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Us against them?

It just hit 2am and everybody’s looking at each other with a wee bit of anger. Everyone’s tired obviously. Mugs of coffee are scattered all over the table. Thus far the negotiations have centred on two fronts; on one side there is a conglomerate of state parties who do not want to push through the agreements and another struggling to do the complete opposite.

One of the issues that have caused quite some uproar is the position of the U.S, yes Obama’s U.S and New Zealand concerning accounting. Basically they have refused to advance the accounting rules, hence stalled the negotiations concerning common accounting. It is like throwing the spanner in the works. Essentially, common accounting is crucial in terms of quantifying emission reduction[1].

The commitment problem!!

Annex 1 countries are still not coming out clearly and transparently concerning their targets. Common accounting rules are important in assessing progress towards the goals set out in addition to evaluating the effort that is put in realizing this ambition. These rules are crucial in strengthening the international carbon markets. The lack of commitment therefore shown by some of the Annex 1 countries jeopardizes the robustness of the carbon markets mechanism. The countries which are hindering the development of the common accounting rules make it very difficult to realize the targets that have been set, of less than 2 degree warming and a significant reduction in emissions. This also has an effect on the issue of surpluses. As alluded to in our earlier brief, the issue of surpluses is crucial and sensitive. In spilling the surpluses to the second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol, countries would not have to account much for their emissions since the shift will focus in buying emission permits. That is an eventuality we do not want to even consider.

Tiny Bites…..

Essentially the U.S and New Zealand wanted to maintain the status quo by not wanting to further enhance the common accounting rules.

South Africa took a different view from the two “fossil giants” preferring the advancement of the rules to enhance transparency and accountability.

Canada have not expressed a favourable position regarding finance and are increasingly being recognized as “COP 18 villains” together with Russia, Ukraine, Poland New Zealand among a few others.

Norway have been making massive steps towards contribution towards efforts to reduce emissions, however, it has been found that they have not reduced their emissions because extraction and consumption of oil and gas has increased hence they have been put to task about it.

Conclusion

The up-shot is that there is a desire and urgency to enhance a 2nd commitment period with regard to the Kyoto Protocol. However, there are some Parties which are less than willing to see this through. They are less than transparent when it comes to commitment to a 2nd post Kyoto period.  
  

Comments

  1. UnknownDecember 3, 2012 at 11:21 AM

    Hello Team,

    Its great to see you guys representing us in Doha, really proud of you and its really amazing stuff you are doing with keeping all of us updated through blogging.

    For me, the COP has lost its relevance. From the above story, it seems like the case of 'same script different cast'. 17 years of side-stepping an issue that scientists have declared the 'greatest challenge humanity has ever faced' is a testament to our collective level of awareness (consciousness). Einstein once said, "You cannot solve a problem from the same consciousness/thinking/energy that created it". This is what we've been trying to do for the past 17 years. And you know what Einstein still said about this type of posturing, 'Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.'

    But why go to climate conferences especially for us as youth? Why participate in this circus? I answered this question myself during last year's COP 17. The answer is: To witness and observe the madness and create networks and solutions that will be innovative enough to replace this 'insanity'. I hope you are realizing the same for yourselves guys. Do not lose hope, feel isolated and disillusioned but create a different way and connect the dots.

    All the best and hope to read more from the team!

    ReplyDelete

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