COP 15 - Copenhagen December 2009

What was COP-15?

December 7^th – 18^th 2009, the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change conference met for the fifteenth time at the globally heralded conference, dubbed, “COP-15 or Hopenhagen”. With political leaders and Non-Governmental Organization’s from 192 participating countries, COP-15 was the conference that had both, environmentalists and oil barons, on the edge of their seats for fourteen days on the closing of 2009. What would be the global climate change consensus? How much would carbon credits cost? What would be the global carbon reduction goal? Who would pay the costs for carbon reduction? All of these questions were to be answered by an internationally binding agreement that would have shaped the way the world would operate for the next forty years. Unfortunately, as what usually happens within the UN framework, resolve and action, were stifled by empty rhetoric and political musing. No legally binding agreement was met and by the end of January the countries that did sign onto the “Copenhagen Accord”, could, although without any obligation to do so, “implement mitigation actions to slow growth in their carbon emissions”. The world held its breath and then rolled its eyes at the conclusion of the Conference; a lot of talking without any action.

The irony was the scale at which this type of conference was held. 45,000 delegates registered to attend a conference with facilities to hold 20,000. 45,000 people flew, drove, took the ferry, or the train to Copenhagen. What would be interesting to know is the amount of carbon generated by the conference alone. Did the event need to be such a spectacle? It seemed at points like a pre-choreographed show that was well rehearsed and the delegates were simply extras helping out. It was one massive public relations campaign hosted by the United Nations, to add credibility, to show to the world that Governments do care about the environment.

Canada's Failure to Act

While this type of credit may be due for countries like Denmark, which is a model for renewable energy implementation, it is shameful to look into my own backyard here in Canada, and what our government does, or really fails to do. Our government is failing to commit to any real carbon reduction initiatives, while provinces like Ontario, British Colombia and Quebec, are mandating their own independent carbon reduction goals. George Smitherman’s Ontario Green Energy Act and Feed-In Tariff are being heralded around the world as a model benchmark for energy conservation and renewable energy development. Quebec took the reins on its own, with its “24 measure necessary to reduce green house gas emissions”. British Columbia took an aggressive approach and promised to reduce its emissions by “at least 33% below 2007 levels by 2020”. So the question remains, that if the most populous provinces in Canada are supporting concrete carbon reduction goals, why isn’t our government?

The countries failure to step up to the plate allowed Canada to “win” the “Fossil of the Year” award at Copenhagen for building on two years of delay, obstruction and total inaction in the commitment to alleviate climate change. Let’s just say that during the end of the conference it was easier to say, that you were American than admit to being Canadian. The only positive event Canada experienced was when the notorious group the “Yes Men” leaked fake documents from Minister Prentices offices that committed Canada to ambitious concrete climate change goals.

Our Generation

Alas, all is not lost. Awareness is growing, the ironic scale of the conference did have positive side effects, international persistent media coverage. For two and a half weeks the world paid attention to the issue. Our oceans are in peril, the planet appears to be warming, ice is melting faster than anyone thought probable, and the amount of carbon in the air is increasing. These are facts that everyone can agree on. The Boomers are leaving the younger generations with quite a mess. It will take astute leadership and a commitment to take worldwide action. Business students around the world, and especially in Canada, must realize that today’s headlines are going to be their problems tomorrow. After leaving the relative shelter of university life you must go into the world and find where you will make a positive difference. At the conference there was, ironically, wave after wave of protests. The conference was about a global reduction in carbon output and environmental regulation. The protesters were typically young ideologically radical people from all over the world. One protester I met had travelled the entire way from London England in a carbon neutral manner, by bike, to join the protests. When asked why he was protesting, his response was that whatever the agreement is at COP-15, it will never be enough.

The Future & COP-16

What happened at Copenhagen can be viewed through many different lenses. For me it was an incredible experience that I will never forget. For a protester it may have meant nights in jail or smoke grenade throwing lessons. For a political leader it was listening to endless debates in the Plenary room between political combatants. For the world, it was a lot of hype and then a failure, in what could have been the agreement that set an optimistic action oriented tone for the second decade of the twenty first century. COP-16 will be held at the end of 2010 in Mexico. As an eternal optimist, I have hope that over the course of the year, governments worldwide, can take the courage required to make a commitment to their people and finally take action. As a Ryerson alum it was a privilege to attend the conference. The Ryerson Commerce Society’s motto was ever poignant when I was there. Canada must produce the “Leaders of Tomorrow” today to become a country we can be proud to call our own.