The delegates at Cancun's eco-convention have adjourned with practically no conclusion except to continue the process of saving the planet.
Greenpeace's Climate Coordinator Martin Kaiser also criticized the compromise. "Central questions regarding an ambitious, fair and legally binding climate protection treaty have yet again been postponed," he said. "The oil, coal and timber industries have a further year for the uncontrolled pollution of the atmosphere with carbon dioxide."Well, by golly, the difficult path ahead will mean that these people will just have to get together again next year and try again! It's a hardship duty, of course - meeting is Cancun is such a simple way of life - but it has to be done. And it will be done - starting Nov. 28, 2011, in Durban, South Africa.
German Environment Norbert Röttgen had a far more positive take on the outcome of Cancun. "I think it's a really great success," Röttgen, who took part in the negotiations, told SPIEGEL ONLINE. "It is a significant step to revive the international climate process."
The EU should remain committed to curbing global warming, Röttgen added. He said the EU should cut its CO2 emissions by 30 percent by 2020, rather than by the 20 percent envisaged so far. Germany alone would not be able to meet that more ambitious goal, he said, adding that the other 26 nations would need to do their part.
EU Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard said she was relieved at the deal. "We can be happy that the UN process was saved," she told SPIEGEL ONLINE. "But we must not overlook how difficult the path ahead is."
Well, at least Durban's on the same continent as Brazzaville.
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