The UN's secretary-general: The score at half-time | The Economist

To his credit, climate change was Mr Ban’s early priority. He brought together government heads and nudged their officials along when agreement seemed elusive, putting his best Secretariat brains to work on the issue.

climate talks fail on all crucial issues

Delegates at the latest Unites Nations climate talks in Bonn agreed that they disagree on almost all crucial issues, after another long round of negotiations about the future of our planet ended, with little progress on the substantial issues.

“It is a bit like a classroom with bad students. They hope somehow they can get through by hiding behind their classmates, a little bit of tricks, hoping the teacher will not notice,” said Kim Carstensen, leader of WWF’s Global Climate Initiative. “Only that the consequences here are different. Not only you stay behind but you drag the whole world down with you.”

While scientists agree that the pace of devastating climate change is accelerating and bring new evidence showing that natural disasters caused by rising temperatures will hit the poorest and most vulnerable, rich nations have failed to make any sacrifices and concessions.