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The United Nations climate talks have made little progress on the most critical aspects of a deal to respond to the climate crisis, said Friends of the Earth Europe today at the mid-point of the summit in Paris. [1]

At the end of a frustrating first week, almost all options are still on the table. On the downside, the EU has not offered any increased financial support for countries on the frontline of climate impacts – a crucial element for fulfilling its historical responsibility, according to Friends of the Earth Europe.

Only reassurances by the French hosts that negotiations on all key issues will continue, and that developed countries would begin to engage with the negotiations in good faith, prevented the process derailing altogether. The high level segment of the talks, attended by ministers, will begin work on Monday on the final 'Paris text'.

Sonja Meister, climate justice and energy campaigner at Friends of the Earth Europe, commented: "Rich developed countries, including the European Union, are not taking their legal and moral responsibilities seriously. All the crucial issues needed for a fair and just Paris agreement are not solved yet. Only if the EU and other developed countries pledge their fair share of finance and get fully behind the energy transition needed to get their economies off fossil fuels now, will there still be a chance to make substantial progress next week."

Lucy Cadena, climate justice and energy programme coordinator at Friends of the Earth International, said: "It is still unclear whether the warm words and half promises we've heard this week will yet lead to firm commitments. Will we really see a commitment to a more ambitious temperature threshold? There have been piecemeal pledges for finance for vulnerable countries to adapt, but nothing consistent or in line with rich nations' fairshare of effort. Nor is there clarity on support to enable the poorest to recover from unavoidable impacts of climate change. Those who grew rich through an addiction to carbon pollution are leaving poorer countries to foot the bill as if they carry equal responsibility. The lack of progress in the halls is in complete contrast with the vibrancy and creativity of people on the streets and in alternative gatherings throughout Paris." [2]

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Notes:

[1] The Chairs of the ADP (Durban Platform for Action) handed over negotiating documents to the French Presidency of the COP21 climate summit in Paris, formally closing the ADP negotiations.
'Draft Paris agreement', a bridging note Annex I, and 'a reflections note Annex II'

[2] The 'Fair Shares: A Civil Society Equity Review of INDCs' report, from climate justice organisations, social movements, faith groups, trade unions, environmental and development organisations, shows that many developing countries are pledging to do more than their 'fair share' to cut emissions while rich countries are dangerously failing to pull their weight: