Back in Bali - COP madness!

The first breaths of warm air coming my way from Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali immediately reminded me of the last moments of my holiday last year. The literal warm welcome was a good start of my time here. Even though I was (and still am; woke up at 3am this morning) completely jetlagged, I had a relaxing first day (spending some time poolside with a Bintang), and meeting up with my colleague Eric. I also seemed to pass on the bad luck of losing stuff on holidays to a friend I met in Singapore. After meeting me, he first lost (and later found) his wallet, and then his lugagge was lost (although it came later).
The first day of the COP was somewhat like a reunion: I spent almost all day talking to people I hadn't seen in a while. I managed to attend only one side-event, and half a negotiation session. For that reason, I wasn't completely up-to-date when the most important news of the day was announced: Australia ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, leaving the US as the only industrialised country outside of it. The news may not be so amazing as it seems, though, and many people here are skeptical of the Ozzies having seen the light. Maybe they just want to influence the negotiations for after Kyoto into their advantage? Or maybe there is indeed some goodwill. They do have a great environment minister at the moment, former Midnight Oil singer Peter Garrett, so hopefully he'll be able to rock the Australian PM towards taking action.

Anyway, here's an analysis, courtesy of The Australian:

PM Rudd's first act: ratifying Kyoto

Sid Marris | December 03, 2007

KEVIN Rudd has ratified the Kyoto Protocol as the first formal act of his Labor Government.

Mr Rudd said that following a meeting of the executive council – the decision-making body of government presided over by the Governor-General Michael Jeffery – it was agreed that Australia should be bound by the international climate change agreement.

The Howard Government signed the Kyoto Protocol after winning significant concessions in 1997, but never adopted it into law.

Mr Rudd campaigned on a platform of ratifying the agreement, which binds Australia to emissions of no more than 108 per cent compared with 1990 levels.

“This is the first official act of the new Australian Government, demonstrating my government’s commitment to tackling climate change,” Mr Rudd said.

Australia was on course to meet that emissions target that applies on across 2008-2012 on the back of significant carbon credits, but raw emissions are growing rapidly and will see a 27 per cent increase from 2012 to 2020 unless other measures are taken.

Some environmental groups dispute the official Department of Environment estimates about compliance in what is called the first Kyoto period – up to 2012 – believing Australia will be at least 1 percentage point higher, or 109 per cent of 1990 emissions.

Mr Rudd said today that his policy measures would help ensure Australia reached its targets for the first Kyoto period and make a meaningful contribution beyond.

The other measures include setting a target to reduce emissions by 60 per cent on 2000 levels by 2050 - with intermediate targets to be set after a report next year from respected economist Ross Garnaut - establishing a national emissions trading scheme by 2010 and setting a 20 per cent target for renewable energy by 2020 to dramatically expand the use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.

After the Rudd Government’s action the instrument of ratification will sit with United Nations for 90 days until coming into force.

However, the Australian Government will use its decision to argue for a place in all the United Nation’s forums discussing climate change at a two-week conference in Bali that began today.

The forums will set out an agenda for dealing with climate change after 2012.

Mr Rudd, his climate change minister Penny Wong, environment minister Peter Garrett and Treasurer Wayne Swan will attend the meetings in Bali.

There are 175 nations that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol, which achieved a quorum of nations when Russia signed up in February 2005.

The Protocol places a heavier burden on developed nations under the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities”. The approach was adopted because it was believed developed countries can more easily pay the cost of cutting emissions and that developed countries have historically contributed more to the problem by emitting larger amounts of greenhouse gases per person than in developing countries.

Under the Protocol, 36 countries and the European Union are required to achieve greenhouse gas emission levels specified for each of them in the treaty. These targets add up to a total cut in greenhouse-gas emissions of at least 5 per cent from 1990 levels in the commitment period 2008-2012.

In the second stage discussions, some nations will be arguing for a greater contribution from developing countries, which are wary of an agreement that would hamper their ability to grow and increase living standards to those of the developed world.

Australia, under the Howard Government, was seeking to persuade the United States to take a greater role in the next round of negotiations in the hope that developing nations, predominantly China and India, would also be expected to temper their emissions.

PS: I got a new camera (which I hope I won't lose!!!), but I can only upload some pix later.