Magic Statistics

The German cabinet is reportedly set to approve a deal under Europe's Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) calling for a reduction in industrial carbon emissions of 0.6% between 2004 and 2012.  This decision is expected to influence emissions targets set by other European countries.  Predictably, environmentalists are nonplussed.

Environmental groups describe the target as "pathetic and shameful".

"These figures are unbelievably unambitious," said Regina Gunther from WWF Germany. "It is shameful that our environment minister has agreed to this."

Climate analysts now fear a meltdown of EU climate leadership.

"I have been a big supporter of the EU ETS, but hearing the German news I feel more depressed than I ever have done about our ability to tackle climate change," said Professor Michael Grubb of the UK Carbon Trust, set up by the British government to help create a low-carbon economy.

A spokesman for the German environment ministry says his country remains confident of meeting its overall emissions reduction goal under Kyoto.

Germany was still committed to its Kyoto targets, but would achieve carbon cuts through other measures.

One plan is to cut three million tonnes of carbon by training motorists to drive more economically.

What if German drivers resist "training"?

The Swedish government has agreed a lax cap on CO2 and is expected to stick to that unless Germany and the UK impose much stricter caps. This now looks most unlikely, and will badly undercut the EU's position in international negotiations on climate.

What position?  At the recent UN conference on climate change in Bonn, Europe agreed with Canada that targets should not be extended past 2012 when the current Kyoto Protocol expires.

Even more damaging to Europe's "position" is recent news that European countries are systematically underreporting their greenhouse gas emissions.

Kyoto promises are nothing but hot air

MANY governments, including some that claim to be leading the fight against global warming, are harbouring a dirty little secret. These countries are emitting far more greenhouse gas than they say they are, a fact that threatens to undermine not only the shaky Kyoto protocol but also the new multibillion-dollar market in carbon trading.

It gets even worse: Despite massive underreporting of emissions, Europe is still failing to make progress toward Kyoto targets.

New Scientist link via EnviroSpin Watch.
EUobserver link via Acton Institute PowerBlog.

At Zimbabwe's national day of prayer last Sunday, President Robert Mugabe spoke words expressing humility and repentance, and then showed that he hasn't changed a bit.  He asked the churches to point out his failures—and then warned them against doing that very thing.  Iron fist in velvet glove, anyone?

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe adopted a rare tone of humility during Sunday's day of prayer - admitting to "failures" and asking for God's help.
. . .
He also said it was right for churches to point out government "shortcomings, sins of commission or omission".

Pastors and priests who have done that have been threatened and harassed into exile.  Does Mr Mugabe now recognise the error of his ways, that his former policy of intimidating critics was misguided?

"We must accept our failures. We should have to acknowledge that as trustees in our part of the world we have not succeeded as we had wished," Mr Mugabe said at Glamis Stadium at Harare's Exhibition Park.

"Let the church come in and point out where there are shortcomings, sins of commission or omission. We must combine our strengths in rebuilding our economy deriving wisdom the Lord Almighty so that our country can prosper.

This sounds serious.  He says his government has not been a good trustee of Zimbabwe.  He admits "failures", "shortcomings", even "sins".  Does this mean he's been converted in heart and mind?  Is he repenting and promising to change his ways in accordance with the commandments of the Lord Almighty and the teachings of his church?

I wouldn't bet the family farm on that just yet.  For one thing, Mr Mugabe's consistent references to "we" and "our" indicate that he doesn't view this confession business as a personal acknowledgement of the sins that he himself has committed.

Then the other shoe drops, as we knew it would.  Zimbabwean ministers need to consider this next bit carefully before doing anything rash, such as fulfilling their biblical mandate to defend the destitute and the oppressed.

However, he also made a veiled threat against church leaders who become "political" - taken to mean the outspoken Archbishop of Bulawayo, Pius Ncube, who called for a boycott of the prayers.

"When the church leaders start being political we regard them as political creatures - and we are vicious in that area," Mr Mugabe said.

So, let's see.  It's OK for church leaders to point out "shortcomings" so that the economy can be rebuilt, and it's OK for church leaders to point out "failures" so that the government can be a better trustee of the nation's people and resources—but don't make any political statements or you'll make Robert and his friends "vicious".  And that would be your own fault for "being political".

Who wants to be the first to test the limits of Robert's newly proclaimed tolerance of fault-finding?

"The bishop is not dearer to God than the president… The fact of being a bishop does not make one a saint."

The president appears to be Mr Mugabe's standard of sainthood.  That says it all.

Previous related posts:

• Mugabe's day of prayer like asking Satan to preach at Easter
• Renegade Anglican bishop in Zimbabwe