SUMMARY: First 2 days in Durban

What has happened in Durban so far?

For those that don’t want to read the news or are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information, here are some of the key outcomes of COP17 in the last 2 days:

·      COP18 will be held in Qatar

·      Carbon Capture and Storage has been listed as a Clean Development Mechanism

·      The G77 is committed to a 2^nd Kyoto Commitment period

·      Canada has stated that they will not sign up to a 2^nd commitment period

·      Japan and Russia are likely to follow Canada’s lead

·      Canada will withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol, however they also stated they will not block a 2^nd commitment period.

·      WMO stated that 2011 was the 10^th hottest year on record since 1850, despite the heavy La Niña effect, which in theory should have decreased global temperatures

FD