Delegates Concede Defeat in Copenhagen

The COP15 climate summit in Copenhagen is poised to unravel as delegates from each major bloc admit that the summit has failed to draft an agreement. Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed — whose country would be the first to be swallowed by rising sea levels — said that there is little hope for compromise among negotiators. "We will not have a draft. There is no draft. We are facing a situation where it is possible that nothing comes out of COP15 unless the heads of state decide to come up with it themselves," said Nasheed. "During the course of the last two years, negotiators were supposed to have come up with a document for us to see and consider tomorrow, but they have failed." The Guardian speculates that the Danish text may be officially brought to the negotiation floor on the last day, a move that is likely to spark bitter protests from poorer nations.

The Chinese delegation, recognizing the failure of the negotiations but unwilling to support the Danish text, has been reported to be suggesting that delegates craft a "short political declaration" for world leaders to sign tomorrow. Opposing Europe and America's call for legally binding cuts with external verification, the Chinese delegation admitted that they see no hope of achieving an accord.

While president Barack Obama has his hands tied concerning the level of emissions cuts America can promise, his administration has been trying to woo foreign delegations with proposed funding for climate change aid and clean energy development. These billions of dollars come with the precondition that all nations, including those with soaring poverty rates, adopt legally binding emission cuts that can be measured by an international body with the authority to penalize non-compliance. China and India have called this a challenge to their sovereignty.

In the United States, a new poll from the AP and Stanford University shows American support for climate legislation crumbling. Although 75% of those polled said that they support taking action to address global warming, the same percentage said no action should be taken if it were to raise their monthly energy bill by $25. 59% of respondents said they wouldn't even tolerate an increase of $10. 85% of respondents feel that economic policy always takes precedent over other issues.

American negotiators like delegation head Todd Stern have repeatedly stated that they will compromise with other delegations no more than Congress, and by extension the American people, would allow. "Our commitment is tied to our anticipated legislation. We don't want to promise something we don't have," he said. Stern also pointed out that even without an international accord, America has invested heavily in both clean power and energy efficiency, and has one of the slowest emission growth rates among developed nations — actually shrinking by almost 5% last year due to the recession.

African nations say they are worried that the Danish text will be adopted due to its fierce support from America and the EU. "There is enormous pressure on the heads of state of Africa," said a negotiator from Mauritania. "They are very weak – especially in financial terms. Any African country that depends on French or British aid will not be able to raise its voice to object." There is concern that the developed world will use climate change funding, a talking point previously used by China to rally the G77 behind their position, in order to "buy" support for the Danish text. While this document puts harsh climate restrictions on developing nations, the American delegation admitted that only major and emerging economies like China, India, and Indonesia would be subject to verification.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton explicitly stated that without accountability from nations like China and India, that there would be no deal, and no money for African countries and low-lying nations. "Any bad solution for the developing countries is worse than no deal at all in particular for Africa and for the developing countries," said a spokesman for the African bloc in Copenhagen. "[but] those who are forcing the process, who are trying to jeopardize what we are doing... I am not sure humanity will forgive them at least for the next 50 years."