BP and COP15

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Since 1990, the UN General Assembly has pushed for action regarding climate change. This led to 154 countries signing the UN Framework Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC) at the UN summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. In the sometimes frustrating time since then, 189 countries including the one time antagonist the USA have ratified the convention. . The goal of the convention is to keep atmospheric greenhouse gases at a level which prevents dangerous man made climate change. In recent years, an annual conference of “the Parties” (COP) is held. Here, the countries which have ratified the convention meet to discuss how the goals of the convention are being sought, and hopefully obtained. A tool which the convention has adopted is the Kyoto Protocol.

United Nations Climate Change Panel

Alongside the UNFCCC, there are meetings of the United Nations Climate Change Panel or what is also known as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ( IPCC). This was set up in 1988 following the Brundtland Report called “Our Common Future”. The aim of the IPCC is to gather and evaluate scientific data and literature, evaluate the extent and understanding of climate change, and calculate possible solution.

Brief history of COP

The 15th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP-15) will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark, on December 7th 2009, and will be the largest summit on climate change ever.

COP-1 to COP-14

COP-1. The COP conferences have been held in various parts of the world, the first one in 1995, was in Berlin. This conference was very much an infant process, where the result was “The Berlin Mandate” a two year analysis and evaluation of the situation with regards to green house emissions. COP-2. In Geneva, in 1996, the results from the IPCC 2nd assessment, which was released the year before, was endorsed. It was established here, than member countries would persue solutions that were most relevant to their own situation, and the wish for binding targets was expressed. COP-3. Kyoto, Japan, 1997. The famous Kyoto Protocol was adopted. For the first time ever, binding greenhouse emissions targets were introduced, for 37 industrialist countries from 2008 to 2012. After a number of years of uncertainty the protocol was ratified on 16th February 2005. Several member countries of the UNFCCC have not ratified the protocol. COP-4. Buenos Aires, 1998. Problems with the Kyoto Protocol (KP) were examined and a two year period scheduled to clarify the situation. COP-5. Bonn, 1999. Technical discussions regarding mechanisms under KP. COP-6a. The Hague, 2000. This conference was marked by political discussions, which broke down when the European Union (E.U.) countries refused a compromise proposal. Problems with the United States regarding Carbon Sinks, and what sanctions to bring to countries who did not meet their obligations to reduce emissions remained. An extraordinary meeting was called for the following year, and it was agreed that negotiations would resume in July 2001. COP-6b. Bonn, 2001. By the time this conference came around, the new President of the USA George W Bush had officially rejected the KP. Despite low expectations this conference reached several agreements. The question of Carbon Sinks and sanctions were answered. COP-7. Marrakesh, 2001. Here, the documents called the Marrakesh Accords were gathered, the almost completed negotiations of the KP. COP-8. Delhi, 2002. The EU tried unsuccessfully to pass a declaration for more action from the parties of the UNFCCC. COP-9. Milan, 2003. Tidying, if not tying up the loose ends of KP. COP-10. Buenos Aires, 2004. Opening up of discussions as to what would happen when the KP expires in 2012, continuation of finalising the technicalities of KP. COP-11/CMP1. Montreal, 2005. First to take place after the KP had come into force. Here, the COP meeting was accompanied by the annual meeting between parties to the Kyoto Protocol CMP or COP/MOP. The focus was that of what would happen after the KP’s expiry in 2012. COP-12/CMP2. Nairobi,2006. The last remaining questions regarding KP were answered, and the negotiations toward an agreement for after Kyoto continued. COP-13/CMP3. Bali, 2007. The process of reaching a new agreement to replace the KP in 2012 made great progress. The most recent report from the IPCC and its conclusions were discussed, and the “Bali Action Plan” was adopted. This in essence sets the scene for the talks leading up to COP-15 in Copenhagen. COP-14/CMP4. Poznan, 2008. The work continued toward a new global climate agreement in Copenhagen. . The whole series of talks drew over 9250 participants, including 4000 government officials, 4500 representatives of UN bodies, agencies, intergovernmental organisations and non-governmental organisations. . However, by far largest corporate lobby group, was the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA). This group represents the interests of Shell, B.P, Exxon and others. The IETA contained by far the largest delegation of people “-larger than any government delegation (even that of the United States) and far, far larger than any civil society group could afford to send.” .

COP-15. Copenhagen, 2009

The Danish government’s goal is to see an agreement entered by the Parties, which will apply to the period after 2012. For more information on the hopes of the Danish government, see http://http//www.cop15.dk/en. .

British Petroleum

British Petroleum has for a long time taken an active role in lobbying governments, mounting persuasive campaigns to turn public opinion against definite action on climate change and greenhouse gases. It was formally a member of the Global Climate Coalition (GCC). Wishing to be seen as progressive, it was one of the first companies to withdraw from the GCC. In 1998, Shell followed suite and left the coalition, by 2000, Texaco and others had joined the movement away from the coalition. While the GCC was seen by many as an overt lobby against action on climate change, its demise was celebrated. However, since then, other lobbies, using more subtle tactics have come into being. BP takes a high profile position within the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) For details of WBCSD's position on climate change: (www.wbcsd.org/projects/pr_climenergy.htm). BP also belongs to the US Council for International Business (USCIB) . Other prominent members of the council include: the American Petroleum Institute, Chevron (oil Co.), Mobil, Shell (oil), and Texaco (oil). The USCIB is the US affiliate of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the International Organization of Employers (IOE). Most significantly USCIB chairs the expert-group of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) . BP also holds positions within the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS). BP's chief executive officer (CEO) is entitled to sit at the Business Roundtable . The roundtable's position is explained in Rush to Judgment: A Primer on Global Climate Change, available on the group's website. [ www.globalchange.org/gccd/gcc-digest/1997/d97sep17.htm] The European Roundtable of Industrialists (ERT), which includes BP is a club of 48 captains of industry drawn from the largest European multinationals. With privileged access to EU and national decision-makers the roundtable has been at the forefront in promoting industry self-regulation over government-enforceable mechanisms. BP also belongs to the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)  : "The only representative body that speaks with authority on behalf of enterprises from all sectors in every part of the world." . The ICC promotes free trade and the market economy with the conviction that "trade is a powerful force for peace and prosperity" . The ICC aims to be a forum where business can agree voluntary rules to govern world trade in the hope that this image of responsible industry self-regulation will persuade governments not to interfere. It proved so successful in this that within a year of the creation of the United Nations, ICC was granted consultative status at the UN .

Notes

Links with government

The strength of BP's links to Britain's New-Labour government became apparent within weeks of their election in 1997 when they appointed former chair of BP David Simon (Lord Simon of Highbury) to a position in the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as Minister for Competitiveness in Europe. BP is represented on a number of government QUANGOs: DTI Advisory Panel on Photovoltaics, Council for Science & Technology, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Advice Committee on Business and Environment, Industrial Development Advice Board, UK Round Table on Sustainable Development, and the Oil and Pipelines Agency.

Greenwash

A key plank of BP's marketing strategy has been to portray itself as a green company. BP has promoted new 'cleaner' fuels and publicised its targets for reducing CO2 emissions from its own operations (eg. by reducing gas flaring), not mentioning its ambitious targets for increased production of fossil fuels. In his introduction to BP's annual report 2000 John Browne prescribes that for the immediate future hydrocarbons will continue to meet the majority of our energy needs. BP has further greened its image by being seen to talk with Oxfam and Friends of the Earth. The marketing spin pushed by BP Solar is that "BP Solar is a recognized leader in protecting the environment and believes solar power is a key element to reduce the threat of global climate change and improve air quality." .

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