Durban climate blog - day 0

I’m hoping the weather here in Durban right now is not a guide to how the UN climate talks will pan out over the next two weeks. However, the rain, thunder and lightning of today do certainly seem to match the low expectations many seem to have had until now.

Nobody is expecting a full global deal out of Durban but plenty of progress could be made if the major players worked at it. If all goes well we should get a number of technical aspects signed off. But, while the global financial crisis continues to rage, many of those who could make the difference here are somewhat distracted.

We really need to see significant moves towards a second set of targets for the Kyoto Protocol - since it still remains the only international agreement in town with any teeth. Sadly, however, countries such as Japan, Canada and Russia have already indicated they’re not yet ready to take part.

Given the accelerating greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere, and the huge gap between where we are heading and where we need to be, each of the governments and their delegates coming to Durban need to be prepared to rise to the challenge. As one colleague neatly put it: “We need to see negotiators embrace the spirit of the new South Africa within the talks: change, respect and compromise.”

There are some grounds for optimism. Despite the sterile international debate, plenty of countries, including Scotland, are getting on with reducing emissions and aiming for zero-carbon economies. China is making huge investments in renewable energy and has energy-saving targets better than most European countries. There is also growing discontent from the smaller and poorer nations of the world who come away every year with little hope that their country will escape the direct consequences of rising sea levels, floods, droughts and storms. You have to wonder how much longer they will put up with this.

There is also extra pressure on diplomats this year because the meeting is in Africa, a continent whose people probably face the greatest threat from climate change.

It’s definitely going to be a long, but very interesting, two weeks.

• Lang Banks is an environmental activist representing Stop Climate Chaos Scotland