Breaking Through in Copenhagen

Let’s get straight down to business.

A Copenhagen deal rests on the ability of governments to finance and enable a technological and behavioural revolution in the production and use of energy.

This is not the only or even most significant factor in the political deadlock that persists three months before COP 15 opens. But recognition of the interwoven financial and technological challenges we – particularly those of us in developing countries – face would help in two ways.

First, a clearer pitch from developed countries on the level of financial and technological assistance they’re prepared to offer to developing countries would quite clearly help the politics, even if what’s on offer falls short of need or expectation.

Second, politics aside, we need an investment in decarbonising existing energy systems and in accelerating new technology that goes way beyond the abatement potential of carbon markets, existing public expenditure pledges or current patterns of private financial capital.

A very recent Global Climate Network publication – called Breaking Through on Technology – spells out the challenge. Members of the GCN spoke to policymakers and industry leaders in eight different countries and have summarised their views in a set of reports that we draw together in a single briefing. See the link to the right of this post.

The overriding message coming from the interviewees? We need government intervention to kick-start the technological revolution. So whether or not governments can agree a comprehensive climate framework in Copenhagen, reaching consensus on technology and finance is necessary if dangerous climate change is to be avoided.