Tears, applause and a 1970s Swedish pop group dominated UN climate talks on Thursday, as as envoys and civil society lined up to pay tribute to the departing Christiana Figueres.
Executive Secretary of the global talks since 2010 and credited with guiding 195 countries to approve the Paris Agreement on climate change in December 2015, the Costa Rican leaves her post in July.
New Zealand diplomat Jo Tyndall described her as a “pocket rocket, a small car with a powerful motor… a pint-sized hot chick,” one of many warm speeches on a relaxed final day of two weeks of talks in Bonn.
Figueres’ replacement, former Mexico foreign minister Patricia Espinosa, added to the cacophony of praise, tempering the lively mood with a warning that “time is not on our side” to keep global warming to safe levels.
But last to address the packed room of negotiators came representatives from green groups, who stole the show with an unusual take on Abba classic ‘Dancing Queen’ – you can watch a clip and read the lyrics below.
Lyrics by Alden Meyer (with apologies to ABBA)
You can dance, you can jive, having the job of your life
See that woman, watch her lead, diggin’ the Climate Queen.Denmark and the mood is low
Climate hopes have taken a blow
We had to come together, to get back in the swing
You came in to give us that zing.Cancun was the next year’s stop
You and Patricia made it hop
Impossible is not a fact, as you made it clear
It’s an attitude, based on fearYour spirit made us cheer.
You are the Climate Queen, best there’s been, you reign supreme
Climate Queen, moving us to a future clean.
You can dance, you can jive, having the job of your lifeSee that woman, watch her lead, diggin’ the Climate Queen.
Then in Paris, the game was on
You made sure the job was done
Fighting for ambition, a future for our kids
You made us raise our bids
We are so glad you did.You are the Climate Queen, best there’s been, you reign supreme
Climate Queen, moving us to a future clean.
You can dance, you can jive, having the job of your lifeSee that woman, watch her lead, diggin’ the Climate Queen.