Now the dust of the big climate conference in Copenhagen has settled, it is time to assess the outcome. In my opinion two things stand out: first, there is no final agreement reached, but a workable accord or approach that creates space for moving forward. Secondly, again it became clear that we need a new kind of leadership in the world political arena.
The results are much more positive than thought. For various reasons (with thanks to Anthony Giddens):
1. We have to learn that no conference at the international level can bring the final solution for a complex problem.
2. The Accord of Copenhagen recognizes new global political-economic realities and takes advantage of them. Not only the USA but also countries like Brazil, South Africa , China and India take a role and responsibility (the European Union – alas – did not).
3. De principles agreed upon provide, if eleaborated well, a productive framework for solving the climateproblem, because states, companies and ngo’s get space to take new roads, alone or together, to find solutions.
Copenhagen also showes that the current form of political leadership, striving for final decisions or breakthroughs, is at its end. Leaders cannot control anymore the outcome, at least at these types of conferences or in this complex situations. We need a new, differently working leadership that provides direction and creates space for others. Three important competencies of leaders are necessary for that (with thanks to Hinrich Mercker):
1. A focus on direction and meaning. We need leader that are open for moral questions and that are able from own experience to explore the boundaries of their thinking. That dare to make established interests subordinate to moral values.
2. Mindfulness. Leaders that have the personal competence to be in the present moment, open and without judgement. And so are able to see clearly what is happening, an and from the silence (Thich Nhat Han).
3. Learning from the future. To be open for the future that is unfolding in all its complexity. Otto Scharmer, author of Theory U, developed a social technology in three movements for this: sensing, presencing and cocreating, as to make possible a paradigm shift in complex situations and act responsible from that.
Copenhagen is een just a score so far, that’s all. But it is also a “crack in the system”. Hopefully.*
* this blog is inspired by: Anthony Giddens, Big players, a positive Accord, Policy Network, January 2010 and Hinrich Mercker, Managers of Climate Change, InWent, Octobre 2009.
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