Polish ‘bad COP’ feared after ministerial sacking / Struggle for agreement at UN climate talks as green groups walk out

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s sacking of the country’s environment minister Marcin Korolec on the 20 November 2013 was greeted with dismay and suspicion among EU policymakers, according to EurActiv.

Several Brussels sources linked the ministerial sacking to Polish intent to boondoggle – or deniably stall – the summit and prevent decisions being taken that Warsaw, which opposes further climate action, would have to veto at a March 2014 European Council.

On the 21 November 2013, over a dozen leading pro-environment NGOs walked out of the United Nations climate change talks in Warsaw, saying that a handful of countries, led by Poland, are threatening to derail a future global agreement.

ESO: Background information: Greens outraged over Polish 'clean coal' push at UN climate summit http://www.europeansources.info/record/greens-outraged-over-polish-clean-coal-push-at-un-climate-summit/

ESO: Background information: EU seeks balanced progress to advance climate action at Warsaw conference / Mood of 'realism' about future deal at climate talks http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-eu-seeks-balanced-progress-to-advance-climate-action-at-warsaw-conference-mood-of-realism-about-future-deal-at-climate-talks/

EUObserver, 22.11.13: NGOs walk out of climate talks in Warsaw http://euobserver.com/environment/122197

BBC News, 21.11.13: Struggle for agreement at UN climate talks as green groups walk out http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25044961

Deutsche Welle, 21..1.13: Green groups walk out of UN climate talks as lack of progress continues http://dw.de/p/1ALxg

EurActiv, 21.11.13: Green groups walk out of UN climate talks http://www.euractiv.com/climate-environment/green-groups-walk-un-climate-tal-news-531893

---