Danish prime minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen will, from the beginning of the ‘high-level segment’ today (December 16), take the chair as president of the COP and the COP/CMP.

The prime minister has asked the former talks president, Danish environment minister Connie Hedegaard, to be his ‘special representative’.

However, the arrival of more than 100 heads of state and high ranking ministers has seen the COP15 organisers decide to revoke the passes of several 1000 charities and non-governmental organisations at the talks.

United Nation’s climate change boss, Yvo de Boer, met with protesters this morning but was heckled and called a ‘liar’ as protesters chanted ‘open the door de Boer’ before he walked off.

See a short video of the exchange between Mr de Boer and the protesters who were just inside the Bella Centre here.

Friends of the Earth International chair, Nnimmo Bassey, said he was shocked and angry at the decision.

He said: “We are surprised and shocked that member groups from around the world and other non-governmental organizations have been denied access to the negotiations this morning.

“Our organisations represent millions of people around the world and provide a critical voice for climate justice inside the UN.”

Magda Stoczkiewicz, director of Friends of the Earth Europe added: “It is a crisis of democracy when campaign groups like Friends of the Earth which represents millions of people around the globe are prevented from participating in the talks.”

Luke Walsh

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