Update for Saturday, 21 and Sunday, 22 July 2001

ENB BREAKING NEWS! As of 6:30pm Sunday, 22 July

TALKS HIT 11^TH HOUR DIFFICULTIES AS SOME UMBRELLA GROUP COUNTRIES AND THE G-77/CHINA FAIL TO ACCEPT PRONK'S PROPOSAL

Climate talks have hit difficulties during the final day of high-level talks as several Umbrella Group countries and the Group of 77 and China indicate concerns over Pronk's proposed deal. Meanwhile, the EU, three Umbrella Group members and the other negotiating groups have expressed a willingness to compromise and accept the deal – meaning more consultations in an effort to reach agreement. 

Above L-R: Members of the UMBRELLA group Ministers from New Zealand and Australia

In a briefing to delegates held at 5:00 pm Sunday, President Pronk reported on consultations since he presented his new proposals on key political issues just shortly before midnight Saturday. Pronk informed the group that he had held bilateral negotiations with all major country groups to discuss the paper. He stated that, in spite of numerous expressions of concern, the EU, the Transcaucasian Group, CG-11, and the Environmental Integrity Group had said that they would be willing to compromise and accept the proposal as it stands, with the EU adding that this was provisional on other countries not demanding changes. Above photo L-R: Ministers from Belgium and Germany of the EU Group.

Pronk noted that the Umbrella Group had also expressed concerns, particularly on finance-related issues and compliance. Three members of the group had indicated that they could compromise and agree to the text. However, other members of the Umbrella Group wanted to "further improve" the text. The G-77/CHINA had also indicated that it was not yet willing to accept the text, and wanted to improve it.  

Pronk noted that some concerns appear to be of a technical rather than political nature. He also noted that discussions are taking place between the EU and the G-77/CHINA on a possible political declaration aimed at providing some predictability and providing a political message on financial issues.

Pronk concluded by noting that he would continue to consult and talk with delegates, including separately with individual members of the Umbrella Group. He hoped to come forward with a specific proposal aimed at securing a deal by 8:30 pm tonight.  

As of 2:30pm Sunday, 22 July 2001

In a sign that President Pronk's latest text might be successful, the EU appears to have accepted the President's deal. At a press conference held Sunday lunchtime, Germany's Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Jürgen Trittin, said that it would be "acceptable." Although speaking for Germany, he indicated that he was also attempting to reflect a wider EU position.

However, Minister Trittin added that it was a "hard compromise" involving "far reaching concessions" for the EU on issues such as the inclusion of sinks, financing and supplementarity. He suggested that compromise on these issues corresponds to many of the wishes of Umbrella Group countries such as Japan and Canada. Above photo: President Pronk in discussions with EU Ministers

In spite of acknowledging that the details of the deal did not reflect the EU's preferred outcome, Minister Trittin said he believed it was not possible to achieve a better result at this time, and that this deal should make the Protocol ratifiable by 2002.

The Umbrella Group and G-77/China have yet to make a public comment on the text, however.

2:00am Sunday,  22 July 2001

"INCREASING CONSENSUS" REPORTED AS PRONK PRODUCES NEW PROPOSAL

COP-6 President Jan Pronk has observed "increasing consensus" late Saturday evening following two days of high-level substantive discussions, and has distributed a new proposal in a bid to secure Ministers' agreement. Reporting progress in the negotiations, he announced that he had produced a new proposed draft decision outlining political agreements on core elements of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action.

Notable features of the proposal include consequences to be applied by the enforcement branch aimed at restoring non-compliance and repairing the damage to the environment in cases of non-compliance with emissions reduction targets. The text also proposes including activities under Protocol Article 3.4 during the first commitment period, and a political declaration "inviting" funding from Annex II Parties.

Key proposals on the mechanisms include sinks in the CDM for the first commitment period, Annex I Parties refraining from using nuclear in the CDM and JI, and that domestic action shall constitute a "significant element" of Annex I Parties' efforts to meet commitments.

Pronk expressed the hope that delegates would be able to agree on his text sometime Sunday.

Outlining the process on talks from now on, he said regional groups would meet to discuss the document, with bilateral discussions involving President Pronk and each negotiating group throughout the night and until Sunday lunchtime.

President Pronk suggested Ministers might convene in the main negotiating group Sunday afternoon, and then in a high-level plenary to agree on his proposals.


For a more detailed outline of the text, click here.  

Saturday, 21 July 2001  7: 00pm:  President Pronk indicates some movement in INFORMAL TALKS 

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The official website for COP-6bis (Part 2). This site provides ready access to the Agenda and Daily Programme, Documents, and Press Corner for all press releases during the event. 
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