Durban climate blog - day 1

The start of UN climate change talks are usually sedate, but nevertheless confusing, affairs as negotiators, delegates, press and NGOs alike all attempt to find their bearings as well as working wifi connections and electrical sockets.

The first full day in Durban was no different, although the sheer number and size of the conference buildings and exhibition spaces is somewhat intimidating. Delegate acclimatisation was not exactly helped by the sudden rise in temperatures and humidity in Durban - which followed a night of unusually heavy rain and flooding.

However, these were not the only temperatures rising here today. Many delegates could be seen quietly fuming following reports that Canada plans to announce its formal withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol some time before Christmas and after the end of these talks. Those fears were not exactly eased by an interview given to reporters by Canada’s environment minister Peter Kent who said “Kyoto is in the past” and then went on to describe the decision by Canada’s previous government to sign-up to Kyoto as “one of the biggest blunders they made.”

It is hardly surprising therefore that Canada was the recipient of not one, but two ‘fossil of the day’ awards - given out by NGOs in recognition of spectacularly unhelpful actions by nations in the battle to stop climate change. Canada - effectively a lifetime achiever of ‘fossil’ awards - is likely just to add these latest ones to their groaning trophy cabinet.

However, not so the recipient of the day’s third award - the UK - who received a ‘fossil’ following revelations that UK Ministers have done a deal with the Canadian government to support the entry of dirty tar sands into the European fuel supply chain, thus hampering proposed EU legislation designed to reduce the use of the most climate-damaging fuels.

The UK is usually seen as a progressive force at the UN climate talks. It would be a great pity indeed if actions by the self-proclaimed ‘greenest government ever’ back home critically undermined the UK’s ability to hold its head high here in Durban, where it is vitally needed to help pull a deal together to save the world’s climate.

I have a sneaking suspicion that this particular issue might just come up during this Thursday’s live online debate organised by Stop Climate Chaos with the UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Chris Huhne.

So, ever the optimist, I look forward to what the next day will bring. As former South African president and anti-apartheid legend Nelson Mandela once said: “It always seems impossible until it is done.”

I couldn’t have put it better.