[Debate] (Fwd) Korean CJ movement chimes in on Conf of Polluters

[Patrick Bond]

(These are great comrades from Seoul - so intimidating to the elites 
that when they formally opposed hosting COP18 in Korea next December, no 
doubt that was the main reasoning for putting it in a protest-banned 
zone, Qatar.)

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [climate09-int] COP 17 in Durban finishes its Touch of the 
Total Failure for the Globe
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:52:34 +0900 (KST)
From: Bo-young <jobo8184 at yahoo.co.kr>

Hi CJNers!

This is a statement of 'Solidarity for Climate Justice Korea'
I want to share with you
ans also I attached short paper about green economy which has presented 
in People's Space in Durban

you can also download it from ECPI Web page
-> http://enerpol.net/epbrd/bbs/board.php?bo_table=bbs18&wr_id=28

COP 17 in Durban finishes its Touch of the Total Failure for the Globe

- COP 17 in Durban just sentences the Earth to Death -

The COP 17 held in Durban came to the end on 11th December with some 
reached agreements. Firstly the Kyoto Protocol has been renewed in order 
to prevent UN-led multilateral framework of greenhouse reduction 
collapsing. Also there was a consensus to establish 'Durban Platform for 
Enhanced Action' participated not only by advanced countries but also by 
developing countries. A considerably large number of media has reported 
that resolute framework for greenhouse gas reduction has been consented 
in Durban. Some civil society has also made a comment that the COP17 was 
'Half Success! and Half Failure' since the Kyoto Protocol has still be kept.

However the news from Durban have just frustrated us. Not a single point 
can be appreciated as a accomplishment. The renewal of the Kyoto 
Protocol hailed as the best outcome is also disappointed. Agreement to 
enter into the second phase of the Kyoto Protocol could be a bright spot 
but any conclusive decision of how much greenhouse gas need to be 
reduced by each country in the second phase has not been made. Despite 
the Kyoto Protocol effective since 2008, the level of greenhouse gas in 
the globe has been increasing and it reached the highest record in the 
history in 2010. Furthermore, China and USA responsible for the global 
greenhouse gas emission are even not signatories of the Protocol. The 
renewal of the Protocol would be meaningless without a vigorous 
reduction target and more binding power. It is definitely not a 
appropriate medical treatment to give a injection of ringer solution for 
3 years to an emergency patient. Even though there will be the second 
round of discussion in the next year, it is impossible to keep believing 
a 17 years of lie.

'Durban Platform' for concluding the Post Kyoto regime by 2015 is the 
worse to see. it is claimed that the participation of developing 
countries would make the Post Kyoto framework different from the Kyoto 
regime which only advanced countries has signed in. However it is not a 
trustworthy. The agreement pledged to take a measure of 'legal 
instrument or agreed outcome with legal force' but there is no 
clarification of whether this term implies compulsory reduction of 
greenhouse gas. It is rather clear that this ambiguity will obstruct 
future negotiation. If taking intensive conflicts between countries due 
to interpretation of the Protocol for past several year into account, 
this newly introduced term is just another diplomatic rhetoric to avoid 
criticism. what is worse is that the deadline of discussion is set by 
2015 and the target year of effectuation is set by 2020, which is 8 
years behind that what was pledged in the first place. A criminal 
sentences 8 years probation by himself.

'Green Climate Fund' made most smooth progress during the COP 17 is also 
disappointing. it was agreed to raise the Fund capable to provide the 
maximum 100 billion US dollars annually by 2020. However it is 
questionable whether actual fund raising and its execution could take 
place since any detailed plans to raise the fund and to allot 
contribution to each country have not been arranged yet. In terms of the 
emergency aid between 2010 and 2012, only 2 billion US dollars which is 
less than 10% of the target annual amount, 30 billion dollars, were 
executed. The aids from advanced countries are the only option for 
poorest countries having concerned with its existence due to the climate 
change to increase their capability to cope with the change. Against 
this backdrop, it is just another meaningless echo without any promise 
if there is any practical action plans to raise and execute the fund. In 
2009, the anger of the secretary general of African Union who saying 
"they(advanced countries) put us into a holocaust" is still ongoing.



It is speechless with outrageousness of Korean government which 
announced to host the secretariat of Green Climate Fund. The current 
administration seems to have infantilism to think that holing 
international organisations or international meetings are everything. It 
is brought into light that 'Green Growth' claimed by LEE Myungbak 
administration is just destructive and anit environmental construction 
works. Hence their intention to take part in development thouthless for 
environment in developing countries should not be looked on idle. It can 
not be understood how LEE Myungbak administration which has failed to 
handle its own national finance so to put people in agony can manage the 
international fund.



The global community has already considered COP 15 in Copenhagen and COP 
16 in Cancun as half failure. Again COP 17 in Durban is regarded another 
half failure. New half failure is added to existing half so that COPs 
become to reach the total failure. It is crystal clear that our future 
can not be put in the hand of the governments. It is now the time for us 
to change from the bottom.



12. 12. 2011



Solidarity for Climate Justice in Korea



All Together / Citizens’ Movement for Environment Justice (CMEJ) / 
Korean Democratic Labor Party (KDLP) / Energy & Climate Policy Institute 
for Just Transition (ECPI) / Energy Justice Actions (EJA) / Federation 
of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) / Green Korea United / (South East Asia 
division of) La Via Campesina / Korea Alliance of Progressive Movements 
(KAPM) / Korea Labor and Social Network on Energy (KLSNE) / Korean 
Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) / Korean Federation of Medical 
Groups for Health Rights (KFHR) /Korean Peasants Leauge (KPL) / Korean 
Women Peasant Association (KWPA) / New Progressive Party (NPP) / 
People’s Solidarity for Social Progress (PSSP) / Socialist Party (SP)




조보영 (Boyoung, Cho)

기후, 에너지 활동가 (Activist, Climate and Energy)

#203, 81-90, Samsundong 1ga, mapogu, Seoul, Korea

E-mail :jobo8184 at yahoo.co.kr /jobo8184 at gmail.com
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