ICPE Round Table Discussion on “Copenhagen Accord – one step forward, two steps back?”

On 28 January 2010, ICPE hosted a round table discussion on the agreement reached at December negotiations in Copenhagen and its consequences. The panellist participating in the discussion moderated by Mr Mitja Meršol were Dr Lučka Kajfež Bogataj, Professor at Biotechnical Faculty, Ljubljana; Her Excellency Débora Vainer Barenboim, Ambassador of Brazil; His Excellency Dr Villur Sundararajan Seshadri, Ambassador of India; and Mr Yuriy Fedkiw, Political, Economic and Commercial Chief, U.S. Embassy. The round table was organized in a framework of increased activities of the ICPE in the field of climate change which reflect the central position of environment among the values of ICPE.

Dr Lučka Kajfež Bogataj opened the floor with a critical overview of Copenhagen negotiations from a scientific perspective, stressing the need for harmonization of national policies on the global scale. Dr Kajfež Bogataj emphasised the major setbacks of Copenhagen conference, including lack of consensus between conference parties as well as between scientists and business and question of credibility of international institutions (UN, IPCC).

Following Dr Kajfež Bogataj, Ambassador Débora Vainer Barenboim and Ambassador Dr Villur Sundararajan Seshadri presented the position of Brazil and India. They agreed that the Copenhagen Accord was a step forward in tackling climate change and stressing the need for drastic lifestyle changes of every individual on earth. Furthermore, Ambassador Vainer Barenboim outlined Brazilian commitments in reducing emissions (39 per cent by 2020), whereas Dr Seshadri emphasized the importance of eradication of poverty as a first step to battle climate change.

The role and position of USA was discussed by Mr Yuriy Fedkiw, who introduced the constructive position of the USA toward Copenhagen negotiations. “Although the Copenhagen Accord brought a lot of disappointment, it was a step forward, because the developing countries came to the table” underlined Mr Fedkiw. He also stressed that the USA is aware of its central role in coping with climate change.

Instructive introduction encouraged a dynamic and thought-provoking debate with active participation of the audience which raised many front burner issues, among others deforestation and desertification control policies and reduction of poverty.