Discover(ing) Sustainability

The Durham Conference of the Parties met this past Tuesday to negotiate the rules of procedure and agenda for the upcoming Conference. As in reality, there are clear contrasts in perspectives from the least developed, developing, and developed nations around the table. After a brainstorming session of issues to address, the parties broke off into committees to elaborate on the points of each issue. The parties then returned to the table, shared the conclusions of each topic, then deliberated on the proposals. After intense negotiations, the finalized agenda was as follows:

1. Reduction targets (of all GHGs) for developed and developing nations,
2. Financing for monitoring, mitigation, adaptation, etc.
3. A transparent, verifiable emissions reduction monitoring system
4. Disaster and relief assistance
5. Technology transfer to developing countries

The Durham Conference of the Parties will meet again this afternoon to discuss the items on the agenda and begin to craft them into a binding treaty. I hope to have some significant results to share with you. In the meantime…

You stay sustainable UNH!