What were the key elements in the EU’s negotiation strategy in Durban?

The strength of the European Union’s (EU) negotiation strategy in Durban was that it presented its position jointly and firmly and spoke with one voice on behalf of all the Member States and the European Commission. The EU made it clear that it would commit itself to a second round of the Kyoto protocol only on the condition that there was an agreement on a road map for ensuring that a future agreement would be legally binding. The strategy of maintaining this united position, while accepting proposals from the different parties, was attractive for the Least Developed Countries and the Alliance of Small Island Developing States, and in the end also for many middle-income countries.

So what were the main results of Durban?

After long negotiations, a consensus was reached on the Durban Platform with the road map (key years: 2015 and 2020) so that all the parties could enter a binding regime. The result was that the Green Climate Fund was approved and various key Cancun agreements were made fully operational, including the Adaptation Committee and the Climate Technology Centre and Network. An agreement was also reached for a second period of commitment to the Kyoto Protocol starting on 1 January 2013. It is a pity, though, that a more rigorous and transparent process has still not been defined for the application of accounting rules to measure progress towards the agreed targets.

What achievements, and what failures of the COP17 do you consider of particular relevance for Latin America?

Among other achievements, there has been significant progress for REDD+, in particular for mixed mitigation and adaptation approaches that emphasise the potential for profits in adaptation, development and biodiversity at a local level. At the same time, the Green Climate Fund, which now has an institutional setting, will undoubtedly be of use for channelling resources to the region. Although most Latin American countries are of middle or middle-high income and will not be priority targets, they will be eligible. But more clarification is still required on the mechanisms and sources of longterm finance if the Fund is to operate effectively.

How would you characterise the participation of Latin American countries in COP17 in Durban?

There has been great commitment on the part of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean to ensure that the negotiations conclude with significant agreements. There have been important proposals from individual countries, supported by others in the region and from other parts of the world, and these were reflected in the final texts. There was also a willingness to listen, discuss and reach commitments where necessary and possible.
What has not emerged yet is a common vision, a single position, that would give more force to the region in this and other forums where global agreements are being discussed.

How is this participation being noted in other processes designed to reach regional and global agreements?

I noticed at the very recent 18th Forum of Latin American and Caribbean Environment Ministers that the countries of the region are drawing increasingly closer and speaking with a single voice, despite their undeniable differences. During this Forum and the ensuing Quito Declaration, it could be seen that environment ministers were giving increasing importance to the subject of climate change, and searching for a high level of consensus, particularly with a view to Rio+20. This is important in terms of the participation of the region in the current UNFCCC processes, as both the results of Rio+20 and the common positions of LAC will give greater importance to their concerns and interests with respect to subjects such as green economies, REDD+, the Green Climate Fund, the Adaptation Committee, common but differentiated responsibility (CBDR), and other issues. The 18th Forum called for greater regional political dialogue, and the EU aims to contribute to this through programmes such as EUROCLIMA, which facilitates regional meetings of the 18 member states in the programme. It will, for example, co-finance the 1st Regional Dialogue on Climate Change Finance, organised by the
government of Honduras and planned for the beginning of May 2012.