Civil society condemns exclusion from UN climate talks

More than 125 civil society groups have condemned the decision to exclude observers from climate negotiations in Bonn. The talks are one of the final opportunities to influence the details of the landmark climate agreement set to be finalised at the COP21 summit in Paris in December.
The decision was made when Japan objected to the presence of civil society observers in groups where discussion on the draft agreement takes place.  Japan was the only country to voice opposition to the inclusion of observers in the process.
The G77 block of 134 countries, China and Mexico all opposed Japan’s opposition and stressed that negotiations must remain transparent and open.
Gita Parihar, Head of Legal at Friends of the Earth International, said: “Observers are the canary in the coalmine when it comes to health of the climate negotiations. Our presence signals an atmosphere of openness and willingness to stand up to public scrutiny. Blocking us shows the opposite.
“It is particularly mystifying that the EU, which has legal obligations to promote our participation in these negotiations, has remained silent,” he said.