Sara: UK Environment Minister Hilary Benn arrives in Bali today and we are hoping he makes some bold statements, particularly about the need for strong emissions reductions for all the wealthy countries here. With a Climate Change Bill – the first of its kind in the world – going through Parliament this very week in the UK, the time is surely right.
Security is tightening in preparation for government ministers from around the world who are beginning to arrive in Bali with the hope of striking a climate change deal.
But if the UK itself is to lead the way on climate change, and it has done some good work in the past such as commissioning the hugely-influential Stern Report on the economics of climate change, then our climate change Bill needs to be stronger. Rather than the 60 per cent cuts in UK emissions from 1990 levels by 2050, Gordon Brown’s government could genuinely claim the moral high ground, if a target of at least 80 per cent finds its way into the Bill.
As I write, ministers from across the globe are beginning to arrive for the final tough-talking sessions over the next four days. It may be 35 degrees here in Bali, but that will be more than matched by the rising political temperature as the end of the week approaches.
Herry
My time as a global lobbyist is over! I am going back to Banda Aceh today. As government ministers from around the world begin to arrive, the opportunity for me to learn more, or be effective in lobbying is reduced.
I arrived here knowing very little about climate change. I have learned about so many things here - from details about biofuels, both the dangers as well as the possibilities, to the tiny details of international climate negotiations and how it is possible to get your voice heard at that level.
Herry in the media centre at Bali.
I now hope to build alliances within Indonesia and with others across the world who are working in my field of media, so we can learn from each other and work together.
I leave completely convinced that the developing world and the rich countries must work together to solve the massive problem of climate change. Although it is painful and long, to see 190 countries trying to solve this global problem here this past week has given me hope that we might be able to really help most vulnerable people on the planet who are exposed now to climate change’s awful effects.