BuaNews<\/a> (Tshwane)<\/p>\nKemantha Govender<\/p>\n
10 December 2011<\/p>\n
\nDurban \u2014 Numerous important decisions, including on loss and damage, carbon capture and storage and adaptation have been adopted, says COP President Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.<\/p>\n
Nkoana-Mashabane made a brief address at a stock-taking plenary late on Saturday evening.<\/p>\n
“Let us therefore agree to accept the Durban outcome package… I feel that the four pieces of the package before us; the draft amendment to the Kyoto Protocol, decisions emanating from LCA, the GCF and the big picture draft decision, represent a comprehensive, balanced and credible set of outcomes for this conference,” said Nkoana-Mashabane.<\/p>\n
She added: “I think we all realise they are not perfect, but we should not let the perfect become the enemy of the good and the possible. The texts before you could contribute greatly to the world to deal with climate change”.<\/p>\n
The draft texts in many cases are said to stem from a year of commitment and work since Cancun (COP16) and in some cases, years of negotiations.<\/p>\n
“We all have made huge collective investment in these draft decisions – more than 100 pages that deliver on implementation of the Cancun agreements, including major new climate change and funding institutions.<\/p>\n
“They deliver on the main outstanding issue, the 2nd Commitment Period on the Kyoto Protocol and provide us a process towards a legal climate change framework that would be applicable to all so as to ensure that we all do our part in addressing climate change,” said Nkoana-Mashabane.<\/p>\n
“I am of the opinion that these draft decisions meet the requirements of a compromise package for a very strong outcome in Durban.<\/p>\n
“I have faith in your political will to adopt these documents as the outcome of Durban. The multilateral system of climate change stands in a balance. We must, here in Durban, let the world know we are still the generation that adopted the Kyoto Protocol. We are the generation that adopted the Bali Roadmap. It was this same generation that breathed renewed life into this UNFCCC process in Cancun,” she said.<\/p>\n
This multilateral system remains fragile and will not survive another shock, therefore the COP President urged parties to build on what has thus far been achieved throughout the history of this process.<\/p>\n
“There will be opportunities in the future to raise the ambition, there will be opportunity to insert our specific interest, but only if the system is strengthened. Adopt these documents as the Durban Outcome… The world is looking to you, the world awaits,” said Nkoana-Mashabane.<\/p>\n
AllAfrica – All the Time<\/p>\n
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