Thread by @althecat

Packed Plenary today at #COP28 considering progress so far and perhaps signing off some documents on work which has been completed.

In comparison to the Westminster parliamentary system this phase is a bit like a collective report back from all select committees to to committee of the whole of Parliament. Not precisely this, but similar.

From my recollection this really is an astonishing turnout. Not only are most of the nation state tables occupied but so are most of the NGOs and Civil society desks. Nearly all seats are filled.

The overall interest shown by attendees in this - a largely technical part of the process - is definitely different from what I saw in both Glasgow and Sharm el sheikh (Egypt). I’m assuming this represents a higher level of energy and desire to understand the #COP process.

The way the system works is a little complicated but useful to have some understanding of. The process of negotiations is nearly continuous and takes place in multiple venues including in the annual SB (subsidiary bodies) meeting which is held every year in Bonn Germany where the UNFCCC is Headquartered. I attended this this year. From what I could see, very few of the texts were agreed there. Which I think is normal.

In this meeting - at the beginning of the Ministerial week the pressure comes on. The texts discussed last week by technical experts and officials are sent to the plenary for finalisation, but important ones aren’t agreed and then pass through for ministers to discuss in a second round of negotiations.

Today there were a lot of interventions from nation states beginning with Cuba 🇨🇺 this time (on behalf of G77 + China the largest national block) this was followed by other groups OASIS, LDCs SIDs the European Union and others all informing the presidency that there is no consensus yet.

This one is from CAN (Climate Action Network) and came at the end. As they are only civil society they don’t get to speak for as long,

Here’s Australia who spoke on behalf of the “umbrella group” (which may or may not be a reference to the nuclear umbrella) I.E. the Anglo speaking countries which is also known as the 5-Eyes intelligence alliance.

One of the possible flash points over the remaining days till d-day ( d = decision day - technically the 12th but more likely the 13th at this point) is the question of “phase out of unabated fossil fuels) here, which is now the preferred language of the countries that own the fossil fuel trans-National companies.

That said this language would still be a marked improvement and progress on what was agreed in Glasgow and Egypt 🇪🇬 last year.

Israel 🇮🇱 also popped up to say its bit - which was plucky in the circumstances, and did not receive any boos as that’s not how this deadly serious pressure cooker global Parliament operates.

Bolivia 🇧🇴 often tends to be the far left’s strongest voice in this forum. Also one which is willing to express itself fully.

Here are the remarks of @UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell. Which are very strong imo and do express a close to consensus view on the science about the degree of threat and urgency which we face.

@UNFCCC This is the first part of UNFCCC Exec Sec. Simon Stiell’s intervention (precedes the part on the previous tweet)

@UNFCCC And the final part of his intervention.

Anyway. This is all completely normal and how the process works. As consensus is required for the deliberation to pass. The officials and experts week is now concluded and Minister’s week has begun. Texts will now be finalised and based on this response will be strongly argued over. Strong language on “Just Transition” will be pushed for by the global south and likely pushed back on by the global north who remain it seems very reluctant - in part for domestic political reasons - and in part because they are allergic to the financial obligations which will be part of the discussion.

Tomorrow the work will begin in earnest to find a consensus text which all can agree not to disagree with - with the focus on the language in the “Global Stock Take” (GST) text which is now in its third draft I think.

And leading the effort will be this group of experienced Climate Ministers (working with the Presidency and the UNFCCC Secretariat) the 8 Ministers working in pairs will play a role as mediators covering four areas of significant complexity. Just Transition, Adaptation, Global Stocktake

@UNFCCC

@UNFCCC & finally last but not least…

@UNFCCC A press conference followed swiftly after the Plenary also including the two leaders of the process, Exec Sec Stiell & President Sultan Al Jaber.

This took a pleasingly large number of diverse questions from a large pool of journalists in a packed large press conference room.

And now the final run to the finish line will begin. #COP28 President Al Jaber has indicated he would like it all to be completed by 11am on the 12th. But in all likelihood- based on previous experience - this could be extended into the 13th. By which time most delegates may have left. But some media including myself will stay on till the end - unless we get a repeat of #cop27 which finally concluded on the Sunday - running 2 days over.

There the final text - then a more routine “Cover Text” was not published till 4am on the morning.

The #COP28 UAE 🇦🇪 Presidency maintains an optimistic outlook on this and is hoping that this first GST agreement will prove to be as momentous as Paris, which it will need to be if this COP is to succeed on its mission and really keep the 2015 Paris Agreement’s target of 1.5 Degrees Celsius in warming alive.

@UNFCCC /ends

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