Two weeks ago, most scribes had written off the prospects of an agreement—in keeping with a whole year of downplaying expectations. Copenhagen had handed Cancun a poisoned chalice. No one wanted a repeat of the stratospheric expectations, incoherent political process, murky last-minute deals and crushing results. Both trust and nerves had been shredded.
The Mexican hosts listened—they promised an inclusive and transparent process, and delivered. The sustained applause, the multiple standing ovations that followed COP 16 President, Patricia Espinosa, as she gavelled through the agreement at 3:30am on December 10 were there for a reason. They were borne out of pure wonder, longing, pleasure and relief that the the...battered climate process had rescued itself.
This is the emotional context in which India's shifting position on climate must be seen. Negotiations are not just about hardball positions but about psychology, atmosphere and relationships. This is the backdrop against which a break with the past was made. Read the full report here.
Source: Malini Mehra, Financial Express, Cancun.
