Start of the high level talks

Margaret Beckett

Today is the start of the high level last three days of the talks. Ministers are here in force and the negotiations and lobbying are hotting up.

Margaret Beckett addressed the conference in the morning. Tony Juniper will be meeting with the UK delegation later today.

We hope Elliott Morley will join us at the Climate Mosaic for a photocall tomorrow.

Opening ceremony

This morning the president of conference, Stephane Dion, greeted the delegates. He was supported by a flamboyant opening ceremony involving dancers, singers and beautiful images of the natural world.

Stephane Dion, the Canadian
Environment Minister

Dion was in serious but hopeful mood. He summarised progress to date and reminded the audience about the three 'I's which are the keynote of the talks:

Implementing (the Kyoto Protocol);
Improving (the UN Convention on Climate Change)
Innovating (new ways to tackle climate change).

There is no victory in winning a negotiating point if we all lose in the fight to combat climate change.

Stephane Dion, Canadian Environment Minister
and Chair of the conference

Address by Canadian Prime Minister

Dion was followed by Paul Martin, Canadian Prime Minster.

Martin spoke of how Canada is already seeing the effects of climate change. He said that the famous North West Passage may become passable in our lifetime.

Some speak of the cost of change - but a greater cost will be exacted if we lack the will or tenacity to change.

Paul Martin, Canadian Prime Minister

Youth press conference

Stirring words indeed. And whilst government leaders were speaking, Katie also had a chance to put our views across. She spoke at a youth press conference.

She said that we are the generation that will be affected by climate change. We have only a small window to take up the challenge.

Tony Juniper by the climate mosaic

Tony Juniper (looking a little bit cold in the - 13 degrees)
by the climate mosaic

Negotiations continue

Meanwhile behind the scenes, discussions continued late into the night. This is setting the pattern for the next few days.

Dion will be consulting on the suggested way forward after 2012 (the Article 3.9 discussions) but there is still resistance in some quarters.

Fossil of the day award
- a coal dumper truck

The Fossil of the Day Award today went Saudi Arabia and Kuwait for their consistent blocking of the clear will of the plenary hall.

We'll report tomorrow on an inspirational presentation by the Inuit Circumpolar Conference, which dramatically illustrates Paul Martin's words about climate change impact on the people of the far North.

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