Country Watch
invited Heads of State as well as leaders in busi- ness, finance, and civil society to come together with the goal of catalyzing a shift toward a global low-carbon economy. The Summit was billed as an important step prior to next year’s United Na- tions Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference in Paris, France.
The highlights of this year’s conference included a pledge of $147 million USD by Norway to help Liberia end deforestation by 2020. France com- mitted to provide $1 billion USD to help poorer nations cope with the effects of climate change. Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli committed to work toward reducing China’s carbon emissions per unit of GDP by 45% by 2020 compared with 2005 levels. This was especially significant as it marked the first time China has committed to taking firm action to curb carbon emissions.
Despite the positive atmosphere the Summit cre- ated, some remain skeptical. Economist Jeffrey Sachs, an advisor to Ban Ki-moon, acknowledged that the Summit alone will not solve the prob- lems related to global warming as governments are often short-sighted. India, for instance, dem- onstrated a lackluster attitude towards curbing the effects of climate change, speaking instead on the domestic need to focus on poverty reduc- tion and economic growth.
The Summit concluded with the adoption of a non-binding declaration to eliminate deforestation and curb carbon emissions. Only twenty-seven countries endorsed the declaration, demonstrat- ing a lack of widespread acceptance from the 125 countries represented. China, after articulating a desire to be part of the collective effort to fight climate change, was visibly absent from signato- ries of the declaration. For those countries that signed the declaration, there is little that holds them to their word.
The declaration was also signed by a number of subnational groups, indigenous peoples, NGOs, and private corporations. However, many of these
groups may not have the necessary resources or power to bring about the lasting reforms that are needed.
With the Summit now complete, additional steps must be taken prior to the 2015 Paris Conference. In late October, European leaders met in Brussels to reach an agreement on reducing greenhouse gases while increasing the use of renewable en- ergy, thereby improving overall energy efficiency. In early November, the United Nations, through its Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, released its Fifth Assessment Synthesis Report. This report brought together the collaborative ef- forts of delegates representing more than 100 countries and a number of scientists to provide a blueprint for the 2015 Conference. A conference in Lima, slated for December, will be a further step towards the binding changes that were os- tensibly lacking in the 2014 Climate Summit.
This year’s Climate Summit will largely be consid- ered a success. If national governments, NGOs, and business leaders continue to work in concert, additional progress will be made. A global low- carbon economy is possible, but it will require the collaboration of all stakeholders.
* Submitted by Stephen Steele
Spain Halts Campaign for Ballot on Catalo- nian Independence
On September 30, 2014, Catalonia’s regional government suspended its movement for a vote of independence from Spain. The campaign was halted when the Spanish Constitutional Court held that the vote would be illegal. The regional government has stated that the suspension is temporary pending the Court’s official ruling on the matter.
Catalonia is an autonomous community in Spain. The region includes Barcelona, Spain’s second largest city. The Catalan independence move- ment dates back to the early 20th century when
ILSA Quarterly » volume 23 » issue 2 » December 2014 15
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