The COP15 circus

Copenhagen, Tuesday 15 December

I am angry, frustrated and very disappointed. The restrictions being applied to entering the Bella Centre is becoming ludicrous to the point where 'real people' will no longer be able to participate. Since yesterday, delegates with accredited badges have struggled to enter Bella, queueing up for 4 hours before being turned away. Today, only 7000 Non-governmental (NG) participants have been given the all clear for entrance. Tomorrow, only a pitiful 1000 will be let in the final two days. NG delegates include members from businesses, civil society and, non-government organisations which make up the biggest percentage of delegation. Other badges include UN Observers, Inter-government, Press and Party Delegates. However, NG badge-holders will be completely cut from participating in the final day of COP15.

Climate change is a global problem effecting every individual from every nation, yet there seems to be no sense of solidarity within the COP itself. As I stated in my first report for COP15, I felt that side events hosted by NGOs had no correlation to the actual UN negotiations, ignoring work done on ground level and separating those with great expert knowledge from 'leaders' from both developed, developing and least developed countries from engaging in true dialogue. Wasn't the whole point of COP15 was to agree on an agreement upon a global discussion? Even party delegates are limited in entering the plenary consultations. UK MP Ed Miliband, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger all urged that world leaders are not left to their own device in punching out an agreement. Nonetheless, this exactly what is happening here. COP15 President, Connie Hedegaard had stated earlier that negotiations could not be done without civil society participants but we are being ushered back to our designated countries!

Having spoken to part delegates, it is a dismay to hear how slowly negotiation rounds have been. A delegate from Zambia was ashamed to say that no progress had been made yesterday and were forced to 'catch up' this morning. The feeling within the Bella Centre is that of anger, doom and gloom, and I am saddened that I will be leaving Copenhagen with such negative feelings. I only hope that developed industrialised nations lift their sleeves and finally act responsibly but I won't hold my breath.