News from Nairobi the International Climate Talks Cop/Mop and Much More.

The global climate talks have gotten underway in Nairobi.

I don't believe the major political wrangling is currently underway but there have been many side events and the technochrats are already busy looking at a range of issues.

Oppening Press Release: Download

Kenya's President warned that climate change threatened the development of billions of the worlds poor.

"We face a genuine danger that recent gains in poverty reduction will be thrown into reverse in coming decades, particularly for the poorest communities on the continent of Africa."

While i`m looking at the UNFCCC website here are a few recent pieces of news:

A new report by UNEP has also been release to coincide with the start of the conference, this report highlights the challenge faced by Africa due to climate change.

Achim Steiner, United Nations Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), said:

“Climate change is underway and the international community must respond by offering well targeted assistance to those countries in the front-line which are facing increasing impacts such as extreme droughts and floods and threats to infrastructure from phenomena like rising sea levels”

Note: A superb related report entitled "Africa: Up in Smoke 2" was recently published by the working group on climate change and development.

Joint Implementation was also launched not long back. Somewhat of a forgotten part of Kyoto, JI joins the CDM and emissions trading to complete the range of 'flexibility mechanisms'.

Finally, a press release that i really should have mentioned at the time. The Kyoto/Montreal track is not enough. Not just in terms of ambitions but in terms of internal workings. A new climate pact is required according to UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo De Boer

Home del.icio.us Digg This!