Growing Optimism Marks Cancún Climate Change Talks

The recent UN Climate Change Conference (COP16) in Cancun, Mexico concluded on a generally positive note as growing optimism replaced the disappointment that defined the 2009 talks in Copenhagen.While there is still no legally binding agreement on carbon emissions reduction targets, Cancun has delivered agreements on the setting up of a Green Climate Fund for developing countries, the protection of tropical forests through Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) programmes and commitments to clean technology transfers. Although the talks were preceded by some criticism of unambitious goals, such humble expectations may have contributed to positive developments as negotiators appeared to have been more open to compromise. There were many laudable outcomes – from achieving agreements that are multilateral, to precipitating the momentum for action in areas such as reducing deforestation. However, negative sentiments still beleaguer the so-called Cancún Agreement, and the deal has been criticised as too modest to address the pressing challenges of climate change mitigation