Essays by Eric Worrall
Could this be the worst diplomatic embarrassment John Kerry has ever caused the United States? Even worse than shaking hands with an accused drug terrorist?
Split between rich and poor countries Climate deadlock
A heated debate on a controversial issue — establishing a fund to help poor and vulnerable countries pay for the “loss and damage” caused by climate change.
By Max Bearak, Brad Plumer and Lisa Friedman
Nov 18, 2022 Update 1:27pm ET SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt…
The United States, historically the world’s largest polluter, has opposed the idea of compensation for climate-related disasters, fearing it could incur unlimited liability. But the country grew increasingly isolated on Friday after the European Union and a vocal group of developing countries backed various plans to set up a new fund earlier this year.
John Kerry, President Biden’s special envoy on climate change, spent Friday not appearing in public and the State Department did not publicly comment on the latest proposals.
Susana Muhamad, Colombia’s environment minister, said: “The US is a major obstacle. Without American support, “the conversation here could not have developed,” she said. “It’s taking up all the air at the conference.”
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Last week, Mr. Kerry said the United States felt it was “responsible” to pass more money on to countries experiencing climate disasters. …
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Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/18/climate/un-climate-talks-cop27.html
This is John Kerry’s fault. On the eve of COP27, Kerry went around giving people the impression that the US was in favor of paying Pakistan or whatever for the imaginary US climate obligations, then he went and implemented it. does a disappearing action when the delegate asks for some actual cash.
Like someone going to a restaurant, telling everyone they’ll pay for dinner, then hiding in the restroom when the bill comes.
Kerry is quoted by the NYT as replying “Not many people I know want to sign something that hasn’t even been fully identified”. But that doesn’t sit well with the delegates, who at this stage are just looking for a firm commitment of financial support for the claims process.
Let me be clear, I don’t believe the US has any obligation to pay anyone. Each one of those delegates uses US industry products. But Kerry’s diplomatic ineptitude created an expectation. The failure to live up to that expectation has earned the United States a bad reputation on the international stage.
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