Who takes the lead after Durban?

Feelings after the Durban Climate Summit are controversial. The national authorities are convinced about the success: “historical achievements”, “the planet is saved”. On the other side are the NGO’s that talk about “cruel results” and “terribly low level of ambition”.

Basically the results can be seen positive as it was decided that there will be an agreement which will limit the emissions of all countries. It is to be signed by 2015 and come legally into force by 2020.

But looking at this from the European perspective in which the goal has been to reduce the emissions significantly by the year 2020 this agreement seems to come awfully late. Did not we have a hurry to react?!

Anyhow, the intergovernmental negotiations show that the sustainable change will come. Someday. Perhaps.

Meanwhile, the Local Governments have signed a Durban Adaptation Charter, which draws the line for cities to take the lead. The discussion fromn the perspective of local governments continues in the live stream session on Wednesday 11-13:30 (CET+1).