Bonn Talks Point to Weak Paris Deal

The final preparation session for December's global climate summit in Paris is ending in disappointment and disarray today in Bonn.

The weak negotiation text, which is largely favorable to developed countries, points to a shockingly inadequate deal at the Paris talks. Developing countries opposed a non-transparent process, after an attempt to remove observers from some negotiation rooms.

"The deplorable inaction at the climate negotiations is a calamity for people across the world. We are facing a planetary emergency with floods, storms, droughts and rising seas causing devastation. The risk of irreversible climate change draws ever closer, and hundreds of thousands of people have already paid with their lives," said Dipti Bhatnagar, Friends of the Earth International's climate justice and energy coordinator.

"We are seeking a just and ambitious deal in Paris, but with the talks held hostage by rich country governments dodging their responsibilities and blaming developing nations, and by corporations promoting dirty energy and false solutions it's difficult to imagine that happening now. We need to keep building a movement of people that can challenge governments and champion the real solutions to the climate crisis," said Dipti Bhatnagar.

"We need a fair agreement, a fair process and fair shares of climate action. What we have on the negotiation table now is increased effort by more than 140 developing countries but it won't avoid catastrophic climate change unless rich countries have a dramatic change of heart. We need rich countries to urgently commit to do their fair share," said Susann Scherbarth, climate justice and energy campaigner at Friends of the Earth Europe.

Friends of the Earth International believes that the solutions lie with people. Across the world ordinary people are resisting dirty energy and building democratic, community and socially controlled power.

In Paris on 11 December, Friends of the Earth International, alongside member groups, allies, movements, and individuals will demonstrate people power with an evening of action, music, inspiring speakers, exchange and solidarity to kick-start a weekend of activism. On 12 December, Friends of the Earth International joins our allies, trade unions, social movements and many others for a day of many bold actions. [1]

"People will have the last word in Paris. But the demonstrations in Paris will not be the end. The struggle will continue, as it must, because the job will not be done in Paris," said Susann Scherbarth.

A new report 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. The summary of the new report is online at https://civilsocietyreview.org The full report will be available in November.