Bali Summit ends in Deal

A momentous event appears to have happened today as the UN Climate Change Convention at Bali ended as the draft know as the 'Road Map' was finally accepted by the United States. This is a great surprise for many who thought a deal would not be reached. However, the talks were still marked by the opposition of the US to the position of many other countries as they have not ratified Kyoto. The atmosphere became heated with particular resentment shown towards the US, and it seemed as though the US was actually embarrassed by the deep unpopularity of their position into changing their stance.

An interesting a damning comment was made by South Africa, who argued that the commitment and flexibility shown by developing countries was not being recognised. The South African delegate also said that the G77's new commitments were not being included or represented fully in the draft. The subtext of this was that the US was not recognising the flexibility they were showing. Prior to this the US delegation said that they would still not accept the draft because the commitments of developing countries were not included.

When the US said that the draft was still not acceptable to them, there was a chorus of booing. This was a show of an unprecendented level of resentment against the US, in the context of an international negotiation, and shows how isolated the US had become. Only the Saudi Arabian delegation appeared to show support for the US when they expressed caution about the document.

Ugauda made an begging appeal to the US "to agree with us" because they had listened to their strongest views in consultation, and "we feel that their interests have also been taken into consideration". Tanzania made an impassioned plea to their neighbour sitting to their right, the US, because they had the power to block progress and in their hands lies the "power to wreck the progress that has been made thus far".

The media hero of the Bali conference was Papua New Guinea, with the crucial comment; "There is an old saying, if you're not willing to lead, then get out of the way". He asked the US, "We asked for your leadership, we seek your leadership, but if for some reason you are not willing to lead, leave it to the rest of us. Please, get out of the way." There was exuberant applause.

Minutes later, the US was back on the speakers list to say that they were "heartened" by the comments by developing countries, and "we believe we have a shared vision and we want a road map forward, we want a success here in Bali.. we want to be part of a road map, to do our part." They went on. They were "committed to giving the views of others very serious consideration, especially that of Japan, Canada, the European Union, to lead to a halving of global emissions by 2050, as well as those of our developing country partners as we enter this discussion."

On mitigation, "measurable, reportable, verifiable, nationally appropriate" are the new catch-phrases. The US reassured South Africa they were "very committed to this effort" and "just wants to really ensure that we all will act together". Finally they US delegate ended with their decision to the Chairman that "we will go forward and join consensus in this today". The applause was vigorous.

It appears that the US was finally convinced by the developing countries that there would be engagement. Or was it that in the heat of the negotiation, the US delegation went further than the Bush Administration would have liked? Perhaps the US delegates were thinking of the impact of their decisions and wanted to place a footprint in history, in the effort to address climate change. The negotiations reached a direct and dramatic conclusion.

I recommend you to look at the video footage of Bali on the news or the web, because even though it is slow-paced it is pleasing to see the international delegates finally agree and speaking with such blunt honesty, for example the comment by Papua New Guinea. Perhaps the problems of our planet can be solved if we all sit down together and talk. Of course, though, it does depend on the resulting action.