Yesterday a familiar tune rang through the hallways of the UN climate negotiations in Bonn. Yes, that’s right; after a long absence, the Fossils were back!!!! With the Jurassic Park theme proudly blaring, delegates gathered round for an event of true pomp and circumstance. The suspense was palpable. “Who will win??! Who will lose?!” they wondered. Would Canada and the US follow up their dubious achievements in Bali, where they were jointly awarded the Colossal Fossil?

When the music died down nervous delegates looked on as Daniel Mittler of Greenpeace International explained the role of the Fossil awards. Fossil of the Day is presented by Climate Action Network International (CAN-I) to the most obstructionist and unhelpful countries in the negotiations. The awards are voted on by all CAN-I members at the talks and their presentation is always a theatrical and suspense-filled event.

This year, it was announced, the US would not be receiving a Fossil. No matter how badly they might deserve it, Daniel continued, there was no point wasting time on lame duck. Ooooooh! [many jeers and loud shouts of assent]

The third-place fossil went to Australia, for its comments that Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) should be included in the CDM because (in essence) they could continue exporting coal to developing countries! They also implied that CCS was good for Small-Island Developing States because they would not sink as fast… OUCH

The second place award to… JAPAN!!! Lots of Japanese media were present to witness the receipt of the bemedalled toy dinosaur. PM Fukuda had just release his Vision for the Japanese climate policy and the G8, which it will be hosting this summer. Very weak and playing some numbers games… it appears Fukuda’s Vision was somewhat short-sighted.

Now, the big suspense was for first. Who would walk away with the Fossil of the Week??

Slowly the envelope was opened… CANADA! Oooooh!

It turns out that Canada’s proposals to create more loopholes in the forestry rules were quite unwelcome. Essentially, we were proposing a system whereby we could earn credits for cutting down pristine forests, as long as they were replanted. Umm…. can we get free candy too? Back to the drawing board!

That’s all for this week’s Fossil awards. Tune in on Friday for the second Fossil of the Week. With the behaviour of some parties, it’s sure to be a tight race for pole position!

First place Fossil

Fossils get their moment in the spotlight