COP23: Good on stakeholder engagement, slow on progress at global climate negotiations

Negotiators from almost 200 countries managed to make some steps in the right direction during their two-week meeting at the annual climate change conference in Bonn (COP23).

European business had urged negotiators to make significant progress on the “Paris Rulebook” – the rules and processes needed to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement (COP21).

BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer commented: “This rulebook is crucial for more transparency and it’s a positive signal that efforts to give shape to global carbon markets will now be intensified. We however expected more, and during last week’s negotiations it seemed that some nations at the table were wilfully trying to slow down the process here. Business is in desperate need for more certainty and stays fully committed to implement the Paris Agreement. At the same time, we are delighted with the continued support that both developed and developing nations show to keep a strong involvement of business and other stakeholders in the process. Many recognise that without this involvement, the Paris Agreement can never be successfully implemented.”