From BINGO to RINGO (COP 14)

04 Dec 2008 – Geoff Lye

Before I report on this interesting day’s events, I must report that every day here has seen the International Trades Union groups here very vocal. Their acronym is TUNGO, but would today have been more appropriately TONGUE-GO. They see the economic crisis as an opportunity to drive the case for a new green deal – investing in economic and technology shifts which would create huge employment opportunities. One spokesperson referred twice to their goal: to create a new generation of ‘green and decent’ jobs. The implication was that people increasingly want to be employed in jobs which deliver social and environmental benefit rather than harm. An interesting development and closely aligned with our own business case for corporate responsibility. The unions are, of course, alarmed by the massive job losses emanating from the economic crisis, but see that the choices being made around climate mitigation could replace a huge proportion of those with new employment.

The day began with an average review and briefing of Wednesday’s events. The only significant highlights were that the US has publicly endorsed a 50% cut by 2050 for the first time; that a debate is developing on whether the forward targets need to reflect progress in the first commitment period to 2012, including the possibility of carrying forward shortfalls into the second period; and that during the BINGO (Business NGO group) meeting with the COP President, he had shown his interest in how the economic crisis is playing out and whether it could actually help in addressing climate change.