Copenhagen Prayer Points

Below are some prayer points and an update on progress from Micah Network members at the COP negotiations happening in Copenhagen:

• The G77 countries suspended their engagement with one track of the process for a number of hours earlier yesterday. In response developed countries did the same for the other track. Basically the deal currently on the table looks pretty bad for developing countries. They are concerned that the way the programme was structured was helping some developed countries get away with a weaker deal and wriggle out of their commitments. Talks have now restated.

• NGOs here are up in arms about increasingly severe restrictions on access to the conference centre throughout the week as Heads of State start to arrive. By Thursday and Friday hardly anyone will be able to get in, which is a major concern for what is meant to be a transparent, publicly accountable process.

What needs to Happen

· Ambition gap – Still a big gap between what is needed (40% emissions cuts by rich countries on 1990 levels by 2020 and $200 bill per year additional to ODA commitments per year by 2020) and what is being discussed as options here. Heads of State and ministers need to bring new announcements to raise ambition levels.

· Loopholes – Even if there is movement on this numerous loopholes that have plagued the Kyoto Protocol track and undermined emissions reductions have still not been resolved which would allow countries to wriggle out of meeting tough targets even if they are agreed. Negotiators and ministers need to close the loopholes to avoid a weak deal.

· Legal form – Urgent clarity is needed on a way forward which provides a robust legally binding outcome from Copenhagen to enable us to keep global average temperature rise below 2 degrees.

Pray

· Pray for progress in the talks – especially for real movement to close the ambition gap, shut down the loopholes and clarify the legal form and timeframe for a final deal

· Pray for rich countries to stop playing hard ball and to listen to the anger and frustration of the majority of countries here who will be hit first and worst by climate change and did the least to cause it. Pray that they will give much more.

· Pray for continued energy for those from Micah Network at the negotiations, for wisdom and for God to open up the right doors at the right times with the right people for us.