The first week of the COP is over. I don’t know if it is because personally things went well, but I’m getting good vibrations from most of the people that I meet about the outcomes. The last few days were relieving, after the presentation at the CISDL Climate Law Symposium that went really nice, and after meeting a whole bunch of great people. In addition, the youth stuff is going great. Yesterday there was a huge march against climate change and for action in the streets of Montreal. I let Chris tell you a bit more about this.

Then there are some positive signals from the negotiation tables. Although it is still uncertain whether and how negotiations on new commitments will take place. The prospect of deforestation being dealt with in the climate change negotiation process, if done taking into account broader sustainable development issues (biodiversity, local development) could mean that many emissions from terrestrial sinks can be avoided, and could have benefits beyond Kyoto.

One of the other topics which seems to be heading the right way is adaptation. Whereas the previous COPs were intended to be ‘adaptation COPs’, it actually seems that some people realize that action is needed now and there seems to be some progress on the 5 year programme on adaptation.

Of course, there are still some reasons for concern. One of these is the possible inclusion of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the Clean Development Mechanism. Earlier this year, IPCC released a special report on CCS, which shows the pros and cons, and in particular the many uncertainties surrounding CCS. Given these uncertainties, it seems unwise to include CCS now in the CDM, which has been pointed out by some countries during the negotiations. Furthermore, even if CCS would be without dangers, it does not contribute to sustainable development in developing countries like for example renewable energy projects or energy efficiency projects would. NGO opposition against the inclusion is emerging, although at a rather late stage.

That’s it for now again!