Nations compromise on coal to strike UN climate agreement

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Category: Science/Environment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. reliant / rɪˈlaɪ ənt / (adj.) – needing someone or something for help or support in order to work correctly, continue, or succeed
    Example:

    I started taking part-time jobs in college because I didn’t want to be too reliant on my parents.


  2. party / ˈpɑr ti / (n.) – one of the people or groups of people involved in a legal agreement, argument, arrangement, etc.
    Example:

    It took over a year before all the parties came to an agreement.


  3. envoy / ˈɑn vɔɪ / (n.) – a person sent to represent a government or political group to deal with another government or group
    Example:

    The US envoy played a huge part in the international peace talks.


  4. phase out / feɪz aʊt / (phrasal v.) – to stop using, making, or doing something gradually over time
    Example:

    The company has started phasing out fax machines because very few people use them now.


  5. amend / əˈmɛnd / (v.) – to change some of the words and often the meaning of a law, document, etc.
    Example:

    The constitution was amended after 14 years.


Article

Read the text below.

U.N. climate talks ended Nov. 13 with a deal that for the first time targeted fossil fuels as the key driver of global warming, even as coal-reliant countries lobbed last-minute objections.


While the agreement won applause for keeping alive the hope of capping global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius, many of the nearly 200 national delegations wished they had come away with more.


“If it’s a good negotiation, all the parties are uncomfortable,” U.S. climate envoy John Kerry said in the final meeting to approve the Glasgow Climate Pact. “And this has been, I think, a good negotiation.”


The two-week conference in Scotland delivered a major win in resolving the rules around carbon markets, but it did little to assuage vulnerable countries’ concerns about long-promised climate financing from rich nations.


There was last-minute drama as India, backed by China and other coal-dependent developing nations, rejected a clause calling to “phase out” coal-fired power. After a huddle between the envoys from China, India, the United States and the European Union, the clause was amended to ask countries to “phase down” their coal use.


“The approved texts are a compromise,” said U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. “They reflect the interests, the conditions, the contradictions and the state of political will in the world today.” (Reuters)


This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • According to the UN Secretary-General, the approved texts reflect the interests, conditions, contradictions, and state of political will in the world today. Do you think all the nations were satisfied with the result of the climate talks? Why or why not? If some nations weren’t satisfied with it, what do you think they should do? Discuss.
  • US climate envoy John Kerry said that a good negotiation would make all parties uncomfortable. Do you agree with this? What do you think makes a good negotiation? Why? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Coal-reliant developing nations rejected the clause calling all to “phase out” coal-fired power. After a huddle with other nations, the clause was amended to “phase down,” or gradually reduce. Do you think this is enough to have a positive change towards global warming? What should nations that are still dependent on coal do as they lessen their coal use? Discuss.
  • The nations had to compromise to arrive at the said agreement. In what other instances are compromises inevitable (ex. client meetings, business partnerships)? In what situations should compromises never be made? Why? Discuss.