Nearly 200 countries have participated in the UN climate change conference in Katowice in Poland. According to difficult negotiations on the implementation of the Paris climate agreement. Three States activists, particularly in the criticism of the environment – albeit for different reasons:

Saudi Arabia – supporters of the fossil energies:

above All, Saudi Arabia was involved in Katowice in mind, the conclusions of the 1.5-degree report of the IPCC into question. In this comprehensive report, it is stated that global warming of more than 1.5 degrees in comparison to pre-industrial era, with devastating consequences, and is therefore a quick and decisive change of course was necessary.

Saudi Arabia insisted in Katowice, however, to take the report, merely “noted” and not to salute him “” as required by the particularly strongly affected by climate change, island States and developing countries. With Saudi Arabia, the USA, Kuwait and Russia were opposed to the recognition of the IPCC report, however, the oil-rich Kingdom is particularly persistent.

In a few of the positions moved to Riyadh, took the findings of the 1.5-degree report in doubt. This had been developed in “an extremely short space of time,” said a Saudi Arabian member of the Delegation to the AFP news Agency. It contains still “big gaps”, it said in a communication to the media.

representatives of the small island States throw Riad, with this approach, only stalling for time in order to earn for as long as possible in the promotion of climate-damaging Oil and Gas.

USA, – false fire prior to the scheduled departure:

U.S. President Donald Trump made climate change, questioned the people and has already announced shortly after his inauguration, that he will renounce the Paris climate agreement. Because of the time limits specified in the resignation, however, until the end of 2020 is possible, therefore, the United States sit in Katowice more at the negotiating table.

“No hope without Action for the climate”: Greenpeace protest banner at the conference hall in Katowice. Photo: Keystone

The U.S. government wants to let its economic interests, neither by international treaties nor by scientific findings about the dangers of climate change concentration. Therefore, the U.S. Delegation was in Katowice, also, opposed to the 1.5-degree report on the basis of international climate policy.

In the negotiation of the so-called rule book for the implementation of the Paris agreement, the United States committed to strict transparency rules and insist that the developing countries get no special treatment. With the financial assistance of the industrial countries for dealing with climate change, the United States formulations, however, as vague as possible.

Mohamed Adow, a climate expert at the charity organization Christian Aid, says the US Position had been hung “like a bad smell” about the climate change conference.

China – The ambivalent gross power:

China was presented at the climate negotiations as a defender of the developing countries. To Carry the came, in particular, in the case of the transparency rules in the so-called rule book. Thus, the voluntary national climate commitments will be met, within the framework of the Paris climate agreement, to reimburse the countries regularly on their emissions, their Climate change policy and climate Finance report.

China does not argue that developing countries have the same reporting obligations as the industrialised countries. “Only the one who wears the shoes, know if they are comfortable,” he quoted the Chinese negotiator Xie Zhenhua on this proverb from his homeland.

China’s commitment to the poorest countries in the world is not enough, however, so far, that it would connect to their demands for a rapid increase of the national climate protection targets.

Addressed to the demand of the island States and the least developed countries, already before 2020 and more ambitious targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, responded negotiator Xie in Katowice evasive. The climate policy of China, as the largest single emitter of greenhouse gases in the world particularly significant. (hvw/sda)

Created: 15.12.2018, 10:04 PM