UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer gives his latest press briefing mid-way through sessions in Bangkok of the Ad hoc working groups preparing for the COP15 Climate Conference in Copenhagen this December. Secretary de Boer spoke of “encouraging signals” that the ongoing talks in Thailand can “deliver the tools and rules essential to a successful climate change deal in Copenhagen.”
While there is progress in key areas such as adaptation, technology and capacity-building in developing countries, there remains a “lack of clarity” on emissions reduction targets for rich nations and financial support of climate change action in developing nations. De Boer stressed the importance of financial support as a means of implementing commitments from world leaders if there is to be any real hope of avoiding the worst consequences of climate disruption.
Negotiators are beginning to slim down the text and identify key options. Next week, he said, they must focus even harder on what must be in a Copenhagen text and what can be cut out or left till later.
