Financial Crisis, EU Debates Make Copenhagen Deal More Difficult, Says UNFCCC's de Boer

"Several large member states have said publicly that they can no longer live up to the agreed goals for the Union's climate package. This may hurt the reputation of the European Union. The Union set its own goals. Europe promised to show this year how to create a successful climate policy. If this package is not agreed to by this December, they are sending a very bad signal," de Boer says.

Copenhagen needs clarity

De Boer fears European reluctance can hurt other regions' willingness to enter into serious climate negotiations.

"Developing countries put confidence in the fact that the industrialized countries are willing to show leadership. In Copenhagen, we need clarity of what the industrialized countries are willing to do. If the EU climate package now begins to slide there is less clarity if and how the countries in the EU will deliver," he says.

Adding to the challenge is the fact that the next U.S. administration is unknown. Even with a fast engagement in the COP process by a new administration, it is not realistic that it will be in place before mid-2009.

The financial mayhem also create hope for deal and change

Nonetheless, several experts, including de Boer, have recently said the current financial crisis could hasten a green revolution, and thereby accelerate green schemes across borders. It could even outline a whole new direction for rebuilding the financial system and create sustainable investments and growth.

"A deal in Copenhagen will be more difficult now with the financial crisis, EU debates and the upcoming American election. However, come Copenhagen, all this will be a year behind us. We will be ready to harvest the positive seeds we are already sowing for the COP.

We want to reach an ambitious global response to halting climate change, and the more people participating to this huge task the less problem we will have with economic distortion because more hands chip in," says de Boer.

"But now developing countries have to wait until credit card debts have been paid off in the North before anyone here will focus on climate change. This is not fair. Some optimists say that the way that the industrialized countries are rallying together in the financial crisis is a sign that the international community can rally to solve international problems. And then there is hope for a good deal in Copenhagen next year."