On Day 1,a solution: Lets tone down expectations

Encouraging signals in the last few days notwithstanding,the opening day of the climate change conference saw a tempering down of expectations.

Encouraging signals in the last few days notwithstanding,the opening day of the climate change conference saw a tempering down of expectations. A new suggestion of a three-layered outcome emerged one that would leave contentious issues of fixing ambitious emission reduction targets on developed countries for a later date.

The suggestion,made by UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer in his opening speech this morning,urged countries to fast-track action in areas in which there were greater chances of an agreement at this conference like adaptation or technology transfer or the mechanism that seeks to compensate countries for reducing deforestation.

The countries could then agree to keep themselves engaged on the next layer,it was suggested that of fixing the emission targets for the developed countries,and the quantum of action to be committed by developing countries like India,China or Mexico.

This process would also include setting up of a funding mechanism to finance adaptation and mitigation in developing and least developed nations.

The third part of the suggestion comprises an agreement over the long-term vision on climate change issues like what should the global rise in temperature be limited to by 2050,or what level should global emissions be at then,so that the planet is able to avoid catastrophic change.

De Boer likened his three-layered suggestion to a Christmas cake and urged the countries to start acting on their commitments from the day this conference ends.

The time for formal statements is over. The time for restating of old positions is past. The time has now come to act,and to reach out to one another. We have to begin significant and immediate action the day this conference ends, he said,addressing the opening ceremony.

Deliver. Reach for success, he said.

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It was not immediately clear how the three-layered approach had been received by the countries.

A member of Indias negotiating team said most of the countries were still hopeful of a comprehensive agreement coming out of Copenhagen. A UNFCCC official said de Boer had only been articulating the most practical approach to the problem.