The headline targets of the Paris Agreement on climate change invite hypocrisy (Pretending to have feelings, beliefs, or virtues that one does not have.) from policymakers
The 21st UN climate summit (COP21) found a happy ending on December 12,when delegates from 195 countries adopted a set of decisions and the so-called “Paris Agreement”. As normal in diplomatic negotiations, the final document contains very indistinct language on many crucial aspects. But this kind of ‘constructive ambiguity’ often is the only way to gain a deal done. The actual meaning of many paragraphs will develop over time, and not so much as a result of the most sophisticated interpretations but as outcome of ongoing power struggles. In the words of Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann: “He who has the bigger stick has the better chance of imposing his definitions of reality”.
Nevertheless,the game of framing the COP21 outcome started even before the final draft of the agreement had been published, targeting the most contentious and thus intangible paragraphs, or like the new long-term mitigation goal or the five-year review-mechanism. What has been largely overlooked though,are the elements that contain the most precise language: quantified temperature targets. Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com