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This thread shows the context of the UK's nose-dive into #netzero and its hosting of the UNFCCC COP meeting next year.
Shortly after the COP talks in Bonn, it was revealed that Germany's climate targets were going to be missed, and the political momentum behind the Energiewende had stalled, with businesses and consumers facing rising costs, and now the country is facing green recession.
The Paris talks produced a fudge 'agreement' when the French govt used its diplomatic strength to forge a deal, so it could be the one that saved the climate.
Every weekend for 9 months, French citizens have taken to the streets to express their dissatisfaction with the govt.
Every weekend for 9 months, French citizens have taken to the streets to express their dissatisfaction with the govt.
France and Germany are two of the biggest economies in the world, with high per capita GDP.
They have signalled to the world that first world economies cannot sustain green policies without causing their populations hardship, and without using truncheons.
They have signalled to the world that first world economies cannot sustain green policies without causing their populations hardship, and without using truncheons.
The UK and co-host Italy, like France and Germany before them, will be the host of the COP meeting where a global agreement will be sought, despite massive domestic political crises, reflecting deep and growing divisions across the EU.
Moreover, there are growing tensions between east and west once more. The geopolitical context has shifted.
The US and Brazil are unlikely to be willing partners. There is growing scepticism of the global green agenda in Australia and Canada.
The US and Brazil are unlikely to be willing partners. There is growing scepticism of the global green agenda in Australia and Canada.
I wonder how @10DowningStreet thinks it's going to solve all the world's problems, to lay the foundations for the prize of the meaningful global agreement...
It thinks that #netzero will prove to the world that it's possible.
It thinks that #netzero will prove to the world that it's possible.
@10DowningStreet But the evidence -- i.e. recent history -- suggests that the policy will fail, and create a massive democratic deficit for an already crisis-ridden government. It will be a more monumental failure than the Bonn or Paris talks.
@10DowningStreet The UNFCCC process is a monument to governments' growing indifference to reality and to the interests of their populations, and their capacity for self-service. 
