Crucial second week

Today marks the start of a crucial second week of climate talks.

The conference centre is buzzing. It's much busier. Lots more delegates, journalists and observers are milling about. We're expecting the UK Ministers to arrive this evening.

The conference centre is jammed full of
delegates and observers

After the excitement of the march and relaxing at the NGO party, it's back to the serious business of negotiation.

Holding US back

Tony Juniper - Friends of the Earth's Director - spoke at a press conference this morning. He accused the UK Presidency of the European Union of putting the future of the climate talks at risk.

Tony Juniper speaking
at the press conference

He said that the EU's focus on considering a non-target based approach to tackling climate change is undermining international consensus.

The world must make a firm commitment to clear targets as Kyoto moves into its second phase.

"The UK and the EU are wasting their time by trying to convince the US administration to come on board. We need clear leadership from the EU to take action with or without the US."

Tony Juniper, Friends of the Earth

The message on the wall echoes these words. It reads: 'Don't let Bush hold us back!' - 'N'attendez pas apres Bush!'

Today's message on the climate mosaic

Cries for justice

This evening we're holding a side event in the conference centre with speakers from four Friends of the Earth International groups.

They will talk about how climate change is harming the poorest and most vulnerable communities:

• Prakash Sharma (Nepal)
  Threats of Himalayan ice melting

• Carolina Herrmann (Brazil)
  Impacts of the Hurricane Catarina (PDF)

• Stephanie Long (Australia)
  Impacts on communities in the South Pacific

• Roque Pedace (Argentina)
  Concept of 'Climate Debt' and tackling it

Meanwhile, the big issue - talks on Article 3.9 (see previous report) - are expected to run late into the evening.

Katie Elliott and Joanna Watson, our Climate Campaigners are sending daily updates direct from the COP 11 talks in Canada.

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Main image © Friends of the Earth