Earth Equity News

Copenhagen Talks Unlikely to Yield New Treaty, But Could Mark Important Progress. Commentary by Kate Sheppard, New Republic, September 2, 2009. "As the odds that the Senate will pass a climate bill this year grow dim, the major question is what this means for the climate talks at Copenhagen in December. It's now looking increasingly unlikely that world leaders will be able to finish up a successor treaty to the Kyoto Protocol by the end of 2009, and some U.N. officials are already lowering expectations... All told, the Senate delay is certainly a setback for global talks -- since it's unlikely that the world will agree to a final climate treaty until after the United States has passed its own domestic legislation. But it's hardly a deal-breaker. If the Copenhagen talks can end with clarity on goals for emissions as well as how to help developing countries, it could still be a hugely important step. And, at that point, the key goal will be to make sure that talks continue into 2010 with follow-up meetings and new deadlines, so that the world stays on track for completing a deal."