Climate dialogue

The first international ministers conference on climate change since the failed UN summit at Copenhagen in 2009 wrapped up in Bonn, Germany, on Tuesday (04.05.2010). A focus group of some 40 countries was supposed to look for opportunities to take action in the absence of a global agreement.

German Environment Minister Norbert Roettgen defended the meeting's outcome, despite a lack of any discernable change in negotiating positions.

Reporter: What good can this conference achieve, beyond the exchange of already well-known positions?

Norbert Roettgen: For one, we want to develop a concrete project with Ethiopia to aid vulnerable countries in adapting to climate change procedure and developing strategies. We may also develop a project with South Korea to concretely reduce CO2 through trade systems. We are also organizing another concrete project with tropical countries to protect rain forests, since they produce oxygen and act as carbon sinks.

Our approach is that we will continue to negotiate, but in the mean time act in concrete ways to do something that will create trust among the negotiating parties. And maybe the countries which are ready and willing to negotiate will form alliances on climate protection.

But you're still far from getting everyone on board?

We consciously organized a conference that would represent all regions and all positions without having to invite 192 countries, because then it would be difficult to work in manageable groups. We wanted an informal atmosphere that can only be created in smaller groups. The reaction has been quite positive: We have ministers here from 35 of the 45 countries we invited. The resolution for change is advancing through the world, and it's already palpable here.

What's been the reaction to your smaller-scale approach?

My Egyptian counterpart made the nice comment that we've managed to break the ice here at Petersberg that had formed in Copenhagen. That was also one of our biggest goals: to rebuild trust and an atmosphere of negotiation. Also, to achieve concrete results within this framework.

Have large-scale UN climate negotiations seen their day? Are smaller dialogs like this one in Petersberg the new model?

It's not an either-or. Germany, Europe and the EU have always stressed that we will remain within the framework of the UN, that we want to remain there and that we must remain there.

There is no alternative to the UN when it comes to finding global answers to global challenges, but we can also speed up that process by demonstrating and practicing our readiness for negotiation. In that respect, we also see ourselves as a catalyst for those who want to act, and can maybe then impel others not to stand in the way.

You invited only selected countries - to the exclusion of others. Is that the right way to do things?

Our intention is to lead the way within this UN initiative and to promote it. I believe that it's legitimate since we all have the same goal: to limit global warming to two degrees in order to keep climate change under control. That's the consensus. Anyone who wants to make a concrete contribution is welcome to do so. We're working to create movement and the necessary pressure to get results. It's not about dividing up the effort but about getting results and getting results more quickly.

Compiled by: Sandra Petersmann (dl)

Editor: Nathan Witkop