By Tierney Smith, John Parnell and Ed King
RTCC in Durban
Welcome to Responding to Climate Change’s live coverage of COP17 in Durban. Our team of Ed King, John Parnell and Tierney Smith will keep you updated on the talks all day – every day.
Breaking news will initially appear on our Twitter feed below, together with pictures and gossip from the conference. We’ll also be updating this page on an hourly basis with the latest developments.
You can contact our team in Durban via email or through Twitter. Check our interviews at the UNFCCC Climate Change Studio analysis from delegates, diplomats and ministers.
Monday, December 5
2006 (GMT +2)
@rtcc_edking Correction: Canada are not pulling out of Kyoto, but have declined to adopt a 2nd commitment period.
1855 (GMT +2)
@rtcc_edking Despite the Canada story, we have a bright note on which to leave you. Famed climate-sceptic and Lord who is not in the Lords, Lord Monckton, may be making a parachute jump over COP17. Tomorrow. Mind the sharks is all I would say – apparently Durban’s nets are 75% effective. Nothing like some juicy pin-stripe steak for a morning snack.
1840 (GMT +2)
@rtcc_edking Deadlocked negotiations, Canadian intransigence, soaring temperatures. Fear not, Angelina Jolie will be here at 9am tomorrow morning. But will she bring Brad and all the kids?
1740 (GMT +2)
@rtcc_edking Canada environment minster Peter Kent announces they are pulling out of the Kyoto Protocol – any new deal must include major emitters. Like Canada.
1725 (GMT+2)
@rtcc_edking UK energy secretary Chris Huhne and UNFCCC chief Christiana Figueres slam the US and Canadian approach to the talks – more on this story later
1646 (GMT+2)
@rtcc_john: China says the failure to get a second commitment period would “seriously damage the multilateral process”. Full story coming soon.
1458 (GMT+2)
@rtcc_john: Very much a case of different piper same tune at the US press conference.
1440 (GMT+2)
@rtcc_john: Todd Stern is giving his first press conference since jetting in from the States…
1320 (GMT+2)
@rtcc_tierney: Today is Gender Day at the Climate Change TV Studio and we have had some great women speakers joining us to talk about women and climate change. This morning we spoke to Christiana Figueres and COP17 President President Maite Mashabane along with people from the UNDP, the UNCCD and the environment minister from Angola.
1055 (GMT+2)
@rtcc_john: Just heard the member of the EU tell the plenary he wanted a good outcome “from Dublin”. He dismissed his mistake as “wishful thinking”. I know where I’d rather be, 22 degrees and glorious sunshine…
0946 (GMT+2)
After a day of rest for most delegates on Sunday there’ll be no excuses for tiredness as COP17 enters the high level segment with ministers and a handful of heads of state dropping in. Those who attended the NGO beach party on Saturday night may however be more tired now than they were before the break.
The activity on site has swelled significantly compared to last week and hopefully, so too will the progress made inside the talks.
The main headlines today:
Oxfam is reporting that the US is looking to a ten-year hiatus on talks for a legally binding deal on emissions cuts. We’ll pursue the official US line on that story.
China has elaborated on its claims last week that it would consider legally binding cuts saying that a deal should be discussed after 2020.
Today the UNFCCC and the Climate Change Studio will dedicate a day to exploring issues of gender and climate change. Mary Robinson, Christiana Figueres and COP16 president Patricia Espinosa will be dropping by to talk to @rtcc_edking.
@rtcc_tierney takes an in-depth look at gender day too, look out for that feature later in the day. She’ll also be looking at the challenges facing Tanzania as temperatures rise and weather patterns become increasingly erratic.
Meanwhile, @rtcc_john will bring you the latest from the negotiations with legal options on the table this morning at the main plenary.
We’ll also be stalking the increasingly busy halls of the ICC in Durban to bring you the inside track from key negotiators.