First post from Copenhagen

Pacific Hydro's representatives at the climate conference in Copenhagen, Andrew Richards and Lane Crockett are sending us regular updates and observations. Lane Crockett is the General Manager, Australia/Pacific. He joined Pacific Hydro in December 2005 and has over 20 years of international experience in the energy industries in Australia, Asia, the UK and New Zealand. Andrew is the Executive Manager, Government & Corporate Affairs and joined Pacific Hydro in 2000. He has over 22 years experience in the Australian energy industry having worked in a variety of energy sales and marketing, demand management and energy efficiency and green power development roles at both the State Electricity Commission of Victoria and Powercor Australia.

More than 30,000 delegates from every part of the world make for an interesting atmosphere at COP 15. There is a strong sense of urgency to get an agreement but as expected the negotiations are complex and issues seem to bounce around without resolution.

It is expected that the tension will climb early next week before the country leaders arrive. Meanwhile negotiations continue about targets, possible extension of the Kyoto Protocol and the Clean Development Mechanism, support for developing countries and a myriad of matters around the global accounting for carbon.

There is a continuing push for the US to ratify the Kyoto Protocol by the G77 and China, to demonstrate their commitment and allow the Kyoto Protocol to remain the basic framework for the new agreement.

Some notes from yesterday:

* Australian negotiators indicated that there is an overarching commitment to a deal, but that there are a lot of challenges to overcome;

*Discussions between countries are continuing outside the official proceedings;

*The Australian Government held a reception attended by Minister Wong and a broad selection of Australian organisations including green groups, industry associations including the CEC, and private companies (we were there);

*There are concerns that the number of delegates will exceed the capacity at the conference facility (the Bella Center), with restrictions on entry expected next week; and

*The International Council for Sustainable Energy reception last night was well attended and included one of United States' lead negotiators.

A more detailed report from Andrew Richards later today.

Weather report: Very cold with snow possible early next week.