Passkey Providers and Enabling Portability: FIDO Paris Seminar.pptx
COP16 Road to Cancun (ISciences)
1. Road to Cancun
www.isciences.com November 19, 2010
Kyoto and Beyond
The 3rd installment in an ongoing series on
multilateral agreements related to climate change
2. Kyoto and Beyond is a series of presentations on the
evolving international climate treaty process that
began with the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Road to Cancun is a summary of the process of
negotiations that has transpired since COP15
(Dec. 7-18, 2009) and preparatory to COP16
(Nov. 29-Dec. 10, 2010). This includes significant
events and progress on commitments made by
individual countries.
http://www.isciences.com/spotlight/kyoto_and_beyond.html
Introduction
3. 1
2
3
4
5
A Brief Review of COP15
Significant Events between COP15 and COP16
Current Greenhouse Gas Emissions Status
Contents
Anticipation of COP16: Ideas and Opinions
Addressing the 2˚ Temperature Growth Cap
4. A Brief Review of COP15
COP15 (Conference of the Parties) was held
Dec. 7-18, 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
COP15 was unable to accomplish the objective of establishing
a new agreement that would follow the Kyoto Protocol. The
Protocol, a commitment to reduce GHG emissions, expires
Dec. 31, 2012.
Though discussions occurred on the Clean Development
Mechanism (CDM) and on adaptation, general consensus was
that COP15 was unsuccessful.
Independent of the official process, The Copenhagen Accord, a
non-binding voluntary agreement on GHG emissions
reductions was drafted on the last day by the U.S. and Brazil,
South Africa, India, and China. (BASIC countries)
Image Credit: http: mattkava.com
“Mr. President, this is the worst meeting I’ve been to since the eighth- grade student council.”
US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton to President Obama at COP15*
* New York Times, Mar. 18, 2010, After a Bitter Campaign,
Forging an Alliance.
5. July 7
Investigations
validate CRU
scientists’ conduct
Dec 7–18,
2009 COP15,
Copenhagen,
Denmark
Nov 2
US Congressional
elections
Oct 4–9
United Nations
Climate Change
Conference in
Tianjin, China
Feb 9
Todd Stern speaks
at Center for
American Progress
May 31 – June 11
Bonn Climate
Change Talks
Sept 24
Troika Meeting of
Host Countries of
COP15, COP16, and
COP17
Sept 25
Ministerial
Consultation on
Climate Change
and the Cancun
Conference
Oct 14
3036th
ENVIRONMENT
Council Meeting
Key
Part of the official UNFCCC
negotiations process.
Not part of the official UNFCCC
negotiations process.
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
Aug 2–6
Bonn Climate
Change Talks
Significant Events Between COP15 and COP16
Sept 21
Christiana Figueres
speaks at
The Clinton
Initiative
For details and supporting documents
click on an event.
May 17
Christiana Figueres
becomes UNFCCC
Executive Secretary
Nov 29–Dec 10
COP16, Cancun,
Mexico
Timeline 2010
Aug 30
IAC issues review
of IPCC processes
and procedures
6. Current Greenhouse Gas Emissions Status
Image Credit: UNFCCC, http://maps.unfccc.int/di/map/
This map from the UNFCCC shows
aggregate greenhouse gas
emissions level changes for Annex I
(industrialized) countries from
1990-2008 under the Kyoto
Protocol. A numerical table of
these results follows.
7. NOTE: Non-Annex (developing) countries are not restricted by
The Protocol and are not included in the table. These
“developing” countries, including China and India, currently
account for 52% of global emissions.*
LULUCF=Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry
* Todd Stern, U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change
Image Credit: UNFCCC, http://maps.unfccc.int/di/map/
This table shows a near-
even split between Annex I
(industrialized) countries
that have lowered
emissions since 1990 and
Annex I countries that have
increased emissions.
Annex I GHG Emissions Changes – Annex I Countries
9. Consequences of global temperature growth beyond 2 C include:
Image credit: 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report
as much as 30% of species
would be at a higher risk of
extinction;
an increase in global flooding,
decrease in food production,
and a shifting of ecosystems;
impoverished countries
would experience the most
negative impacts including
higher rates of malnutrition
and fatal diseases.
The 2˚ Temperature Growth Cap
11. The official Provisional Agenda (Advance Version) was released Sept. 9, 2010 by the UNFCCC.
Click here to view entire agenda
Nov. 29 – Dec. 10, 2010 in Cancun, Mexico
Work towards finding an international agreement that can follow
the Kyoto Protocol.
Increase the confidence of small island states and African
countries with regard to adequate funding and aid from
developed countries for implementing green technology.
Discuss the Clean Development Mechanism, Joint
Implementation, and adaptation funding.
Some, including the Council of the EU Environment Ministers,
believe that the ideas suggested in the Copenhagen Accord
should be integrated into the new framework that is to be
created in Cancun.
Official Agenda for COP16 – Key Concepts
12. Cop16 will be about building an agreement, putting the
bones of the agreement together so people can see what
the agreement looks like, what it means, before signing in
2011, two years after the COP15.
Yvo DeBoer, former Executive Secretary of
the UNFCCC.
COP16? Forget it.… It's important that you have a pragmatic
approach, and that you can show the global society that we are doing
something.
Izabella Teixeira, Brazil’s Minister of EnvironmentImages credit: Wikicommons; UNFCCC
Mexico has intensified its efforts to encourage the global cooperation of
both the industrialized and developing countries to present a common
front in the fight against climate change… As the host of COP16, Mexico
will seek to achieve agreements on how to finance the mitigation of
climate change and the adoption of new technologies, as well as North-
South cooperation, the increased participation of emerging economies and
building a low-carbon economy.
Felipe Calderon, President of Mexico
We believe a significant outcome in Cancun
should focus on providing the means for
immediate global action… I think the minimum
we want from Cancun is the package of decisions.
If we are not able to put in place the package --
the complete package -- then we will be facing
again a very critical situation.
Patricia Espinosa, Chair of COP16
Cancun is an important step on the road
and it must be treated as such. A unique
momentum was created in Copenhagen last
year and it's important that we maintain it
by proving that Cancun can deliver on
practical decisions.
Connie Hedegaard, Danish Climate
and Energy Minister
Governments need to agree on what is doable in Cancun and how it will
be achievable in a politically balanced manner. It is in everyone's ultimate
interest to accelerate action in order to minimize negative impacts on all.
Christiana Figueres,
Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC
Thoughts and Opinions of COP16
13. Brazil’s Ambassador for Climate Change has expressed a view
shared by others: that Cancun will be one step towards the final
outcome, but that the more significant results will occur at COP17
in South Africa.
Felipe Calderon, Mexico’s president, will strive for cooperation
between wealthy and impoverished countries. The economic gap
makes it increasingly difficult to reach a consensus.
Calderon has ranked the issue of climate change a top priority. A
successful result at COP16 would help improve his nation’s global
image and spread knowledge of climate change throughout
Mexico.
Based on failures at COP15 few are optimistic about COP16,
and the tone of the upcoming meeting in Cancun is
anticipated to be more subdued than that of Copenhagen.
Image Credit:
Wikimedia Commons
All Eyes on Mexico, COP16’s Host
14. 1. To focus on the building of relationships
between Annex I and Non-Annex I countries.
2. To address any concerns from developing
countries and countries deemed most
vulnerable to climate change in order to
facilitate a discussion with fewer problems.
3. To reach out and address concerns from
countries such as Venezuela, Ecuador, and
Saudi Arabia that currently feel climate change
agreements are more beneficial to developed
countries.
Three major tasks on the table for Mexico’s President Felipe Calderon:
Image credit:
Wikimedia Commons
All Eyes on Mexico, COP16’s Host
15. The feasibility of a “mega-treaty” dissolves in disagreement and COP16 fails to
produce a binding post-Kyoto commitment document. This possibility has been
referred to as “The Kyoto Gap.”
Image credit: UNFCCC
Big emitters may take action independent of both the
UNFCCC process and the Copenhagen Accord process.
The Copenhagen Accord gains traction, but remains voluntary and outside
of the UNFCCC process.
Components of The Kyoto Protocol are carved into smaller pieces
of action in a stepped or parceled approach that may offer a
more palatable, politically viable menu.
Conclusion: Possible Outcomes from COP16
16. "Address by Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change." UNFCCC (2010).
“After Copenhagen." Center for American Progress. Web. 31 Oct. 2010. http://www.americanprogress.org/events/2010/02/stern.html
Allen, Patrick. "Will Cop16 Fail Like Cop15?" CNBC Home. 7 Sept. 2010. Web. 31 Oct. 2010. http://www.cnbc.com/id/39035009/Comment_Will_Cop16_Fail_Like_Cop15
Arguilar, Silvia. "Road to COP-16, 2010." Care Climate Change. Climate Change Information Center, 11 June 2010. Web. 31 Oct. 2010. http://www.careclimatechange.org/blogs/road-to-cop-16-2010
"Bonn Climate Change Talks Make Limited Progress." Climate-L.org. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 14 June 2010. Web. 31 Oct. 2010.
http://climate-l.org/news/bonn-climate-change-talks-make-limited-progress
Bristow, Rachael. "Emissions Targets Hang in the Balance." Climate Action. UNEP, 23 July 2010. Web. 31 Oct. 2010.
http://www.climateactionprogramme.org/news/emissions_targets_hang_in_the_balance
"China Strikes Conciliatory Tone Ahead of Tianjin Climate Talks." BusinessGreen.com. 29 Sept. 2010. Web. 31 Oct. 2010.
http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2270644/china-strikes-conciliatory-tone
"Climate Change: from Copenhagen to Mexico." Reportage Enviro. 27 Oct. 2010. Web. 31 Oct. 2010.
http://www.reportage-enviro.com/2010/10/climate-change-from-copenhagen-to-mexico/
Cowan, Richard. "Republican Election Impact on Climate Change." Reuters AlertNet. 1 Nov. 2010. Web. 14 Nov. 2010. http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N01168241.htm
"De Boer Hopeful for Climate Deal in 2011." Clean Skies. 26 Mar. 2010. Web. 31 Oct. 2010.
http://www.cleanskies.com/articles/deboer-hopeful-climate-deal-2011
"Experts on the Chances of a Global Climate Deal Working in Mexico in 2010." The Guardian. 1 Feb. 2010. Web. 31 Oct. 2010.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/feb/01/experts-chances-global-climate-deal
"Fidel Castro Blasts G20 Summit, Other Nations Left out in the Cold." Brisbane Times. 14 Nov. 2010. Web. 14 Nov. 2010.
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/g20-summit-leaves-rest-of-us-out-in-the-cold-says-castro-20101114-17sro.html
"Final ‘forensic’ UK Report on Emails Vindicates Climate Science and Research Underlying the Hockey Stick." Climate Progress. 7 July 2010. Web. 14 Nov. 2010.
http://climateprogress.org/2010/07/07/muir-russell-emails-climategate-vindicates-climate-science-cru/
Friedman, Lisa. "Brazil Plans a Price on Oil to Accelerate Climate Efforts." The New York Times. 25 Oct. 2010. Web. 31 Oct. 2010.
http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2010/10/25/25climatewire-brazil-plans-a-price-on-oil-to-accelerate-cl-91681.html
"G-20 Summit Concludes, Yields Few Economic Answers." Before It's News. 14 Nov. 2010. Web. 14 Nov. 2010.
http://beforeitsnews.com/story/264/061/G-20_Summit_Concludes,_Yields_Few_Economic_Answers.html
Hoag, Hannah. "Report Maps Perils of Warming." Nature News. Nature Publishing Group, 19 July 2010. Web. 14 Nov. 2010. http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100719/full/466425a.html
"How a 2-degree Climate Change Would Hit Canada." CBC News. 5 Oct. 2010. Web. 31 Oct. 2010.
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/10/05/science-round-table-canadian-geographic-climate-change.html
IISD Reporting Services. Web. 31 Oct. 2010. http://www.iisd.ca/recent/recentmeetings.aspx?id=5&year=2010#mtg45810
Kim, Chang-Ran. "Climate Talks Must Focus on Immediate Action: Mexico." Reuters AlertNet. 10 Nov. 2010. Web. 14 Nov. 2010. http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/TOE6A905H.htm
Koomey, Jonathan G. "Why Two Degrees Really Matters." Center for American Progress, 6 Dec. 2009. Web. 31 Oct. 2010.
http://climateprogress.org/2009/12/06/copenhagen-two-degrees-warming-target/
Landler, Mark, and Helene Cooper. "After a Bitter Campaign, Forging an Alliance." The New York Times. 18 Mar. 2010. Web. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/19/us/politics/19policy.html
Light, Andrew, and Sean Pool. "Interactive Map: The Copenhagen Accord at Three Months." Center for American Progress. 29 Mar. 2010. Web. 31 Oct. 2010.
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2010/03/emissions_pledge.html
"Limiting Global Climate Change to 2 Degrees Celsius." EUROPA. 10 Jan. 2007. Web. 31 Oct. 2010. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/07/16
"Mexican President Reiterates Commitment towards COP16." Green Momentum. 6 Sept. 2010. Web. 14 Nov. 2010. http://greenmomentum.com/wb3/wb/gm/gm_content?id_content=6490
Murray, James. "Bonn Talks End amid Growing Pessimism - 06 Aug 2010 - BusinessGreen.com." BusinessGreen.com News, Comment and Analysis for the Low Carbon Economy. 6 Aug. 2010. Web. 31
Oct. 2010. http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2267781/bonn-talks-amidst-growing
"Plugging the Gap." WWF International (2010). http://www.gwec.net/uploads/media/RESGWEC-_Plugging_the_Gap_report_01.09.06.pdf
Prabha, Ashwini E. "2020 Emissions Set to Exceed Dangerous Levels by One Third." WWF. 6 Oct. 2010. Web. 31 Oct. 2010.
http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?195454/2020-emissions-set-to-exceed--dangerous-levels-by-one-third
"Tianjin Climate Meeting Delivers Little, Overshadowed by US-China Spat." International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development. 13 Oct. 2010. Web. http://ictsd.org/i/news/bridgesweekly/86988/
Tregaskis, Shiona. "Q&A: Cancun COP16 Climate Talks." The Guardian. 8 Oct. 2010. Web. 31 Oct. 2010.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/oct/08/cancun-cop16-climate-talks
"The UNFCCC Negotiations: The Road to COP 16." International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). 30 Mar. 2010. Web. 31 Oct. 2010.
http://www.iisd.org/climate/north_american/unfccc_negotiations/road_cop16.asp
"UNFCCC Publishes COP 16 and COP/MOP 6 Agendas." Climate-L.org. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 9 Sept. 2010. Web.
http://climate-l.org/news/unfccc-publishes-cop-16-and-copmop-6-agendas/
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Web. 31 Oct. 2010. http://unfccc.int/2860.php
Sources
17. When referencing this slideshow please use the following citation:
ISCIENCES, L.L.C. The Road to Cancun. A slideshow; 3rd installment in the series:
Beyond Copenhagen. November 19, 2010. Ann Arbor, Michigan.
www.isciences.com.
www.isciences.com November 19, 2010
Citation
19. The Protocol is a multilateral agreement aimed at reducing
greenhouse gas emissions. Developed countries were assigned limits
on emissions relative to 1990, and targets vary by nation.
The Protocol was signed by 84 countries and ratified by nearly all who
signed. The US did not ratify. Countries who ratified are now bound by
Protocol requirements.
The Protocol, part of the UNFCCC, has been in force since 2005. The
first commitment period ends 2012 and no binding framework has
been established post-2012.
Four Conference of the Parties have taken place since the Protocol
entered into force. Each COP has been accompanied by a CMP, a
meeting specific to the Protocol.
The Kyoto Protocol
20. The Copenhagen Accord is a non-legally
binding document that allows nations
to submit voluntary commitments of
emissions reductions.
Controversial at the time of creation
during COP15, it has met increasing
international approval.
Date: Dec. 18, 2009
Location: Washington, D.C.
Three months after the introduction
of the Accord around 110 countries, representing 80% of the world’s greenhouse
gas emissions, were in support of the Accord’s efforts.
Currently (Nov. 19, 2010) the total number of Parties that have expressed their
intention to be listed as agreeing to the Accord is 140.
View Accord status.
The Accord at Three Months
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2010/03/emissions_pledge.html
The Copenhagen Accord
21. Date: Feb. 9, 2010
Location: Washington, D.C.
Todd Stern, U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change, speaks at
the Center for American Progress, addressing COP15, the
Copenhagen Accord, and challenges in the year ahead.
Stern identifies a core problem in moving forward: the split
between those who believe only developed countries should
commit to emissions reductions and transparency, and those
who believe all major economies, developed and developing,
must commit. He supports the latter, stating that developing
countries are projected to account for 66% of emissions by
2030.
Stern stresses the need for the U.S. Congress to pass strong energy and
climate legislation in the coming year.
Photo Credit: Wikicommons
Click here to view entire speech
Todd Stern Speaks at CAP
22. Date: May 17, 2010
Location: UNFCCC
Christiana Figueres of Costa Rica is appointed UNFCCC Executive
Secretary, replacing Yvo De Boer from the Netherlands who retires
after serving four years in the position.
Figueres, appointed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, is the
daughter and sister of two Costa Rican presidents. A member of the
Costa Rican negotiating team since 1995, she has been involved in
both UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol negotiations.
Image Credit: UNFCCC
Figueres’ first duty will be to lead talks in COP16. Figueres believes that the level of
climate mitigation pledges currently being suggested are not enough, and that
COP16 must be different from COP15 in order to order to achieve results. She is
looking for innovative creativity at COP16 and is hoping to rebuild trust and
cooperation between nations.
Figueres becomes UNFCCC Executive Secretary
23. Date: May 31 – June 11, 2010
Location: Bonn, Germany
Around 2,900 participants attend, representing governments, intergovernmental
and non-governmental organizations, academia, and the media.
A key topic is the 2°C temperature rise cap. The Alliance of Small Island States
requests a technical paper from the Secretariat on possible options for limiting
global average temperature rise to 1.5°C and 2°C. This is opposed by Saudi Arabia,
Oman, Kuwait and Qatar and no agreement is reached.
Participants also emphasize the need to ensure there will be no gap between the
Kyoto Protocol’s first commitment period (2008-2012), and the following potential
commitment periods.
Yvo de Boer, retiring UNFCCC Executive Secretary, says farewell and new Executive
Secretary, Christiana Figueres, is welcomed.
Bonn Climate Change Talks
24. Date: July 7, 2010
Location: UK
In November 2009 a server at the University of East Anglia, UK is hacked and a
large number of documents from UEA’s Climatic Research Unit (CRU) are
illegally accessed and publically posted. The hacker selectively posts numerous
private emails from CRU scientists whose research has been used in IPCC
reports and COP meetings.
Global warming skeptics allege that the stolen emails reveal misconduct in the
scientific community and proof of a conspiracy, believing scientists have
forged figures and statistics.
Though several separate investigations (March, July, 2010*) into these
allegations conclude that CRU scientists did not withhold scientific information
or interfere with the peer-review process, the media attention effectively
muddies the already contentious issue of global warming.
*Click here to view reports: House of Commons; IOP; UEA SAP; Penn State.
CRU Email Investigations
25. Date: Sept. 21, 2010
Location: New York, United States
During her speech at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York City, UNFCCC’s
Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres states that she does not believe it will
possible to address climate change with a “big bang” global climate treaty.
Figueres stresses that it is important to move forward in more incremental
steps, achieving smaller goals at a time.
Christiana Figueres Speaks at The Clinton Initiative
26. Date: Aug. 2–6, 2010
Location: Bonn, Germany
Around 4,500 participants from 190 countries are in attendance.
Countries are unable to agree on the current version of the negotiating text,
and many continue to add amendments which ultimately double the length of
the text. The purpose of the text is to provide a potential framework that
negotiators at COP16 can finalize. However, many feel that the added content
makes the text too large for reaching an agreement in Cancun.
The talks also highlight the need for developed and developing nations to
work together, as many developing nations feel there is insufficient funding
for helping them cope with the effects of climate change.
Some feel this round of talks has further hindered the possibility of
international agreement on Cancun.
Bonn Climate Change Talks
27. Date: Sept. 24, 2010
Location: New York, United States
Click here to view entire declaration
Denmark, Mexico and South Africa – host countries of COP15, COP16, and
COP17 – establish a Troika to call for close cooperation by the three nations
during any future UNFCCC climate change negotiations.
The host countries create the Troika in hopes that a joint effort and
collaboration will allow for greater certainty that decisions will be made during
COP16. The Troika’s declaration stresses commitment to finding an agreement
on climate change.
The declaration also calls for developed countries to deliver on pledges made
during COP15 and to begin taking further actions towards climate legislation.
Troika Meeting, COP Host Countries
28. Date: Sept. 25, 2010
Location: New York, U.S.A
Click here to view entire address
Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, addresses the
Ministerial Consultation. She emphasizes the significance of the forthcoming
Tianjin Climate Change talks (Oct. 4-9, 2010), stating that much work needs
to be done at Tianjin to establish the future of the Kyoto Protocol.
Figueres also hints at the disagreement between nations over the current
negotiations and stresses that there needs to be more international
cooperation if an agreement is to be made in Cancun. Areas that need more
cohesiveness: continuation of the Protocol, mobilization of long-term
financing, formalization of mitigation pledges, and response measures.
Figueres ends the speech by making the point that Cancun needs to be
successful in showing the world that there is a climate change negotiation
process that can work.
Ministerial Consultation on Climate Change and
the Cancun Conference
29. Date: Oct. 4–9, 2010
Location: Tianjin, China
Tianjin, the last formal session of UN climate talks before Cancun, is expected
to be a catalyst for concrete outcomes at COP16. Roughly 3,100 delegates
attend.
Two main tasks have been targeted for completion in Tianjin:
1. Narrowing of differences in order to slim down the 70 page negotiating
text;
2. Focusing on a draft proposal to prepare a document for the Cancun
meeting to help lead to an agreement on points made under the Kyoto
Protocol.
Tianjin, continue to next slide >>
Tianjin Climate Change Talks
30. Issues related to the Copenhagen Accord are discussed: funding for climate-
related policy changes; procedures for insuring that committing countries fulfill
their GHG emissions reductions.
Other key topics are funding from developed countries to developing countries,
and the accountability of developing countries to reduce emissions. Developing
countries express concern that climate financing will not be in addition to
development aid they are already receiving for non-climate related policies.
Disagreements arise between China and the U.S., most notably, whether
developed countries should have legally binding commitments. The U.S. believes
China is ignoring the Accord while China believes the U.S. is not taking enough
responsibility. These disagreements slow the negotiation process, and little is
accomplished.
On the final day of the talks Christiana Figueres and Mexican Foreign Minister
Patricia Espinosa address the media, asserting that progress has been made. This
sentiment, however, is not generally embraced.
Tianjin, back to previous slide <<
Tianjin Climate Change Talks
31. As the world looks to the US (a major GHG emitter) for climate policy leadership,
President Obama and the Democrat-led US Congress fail to pass strong clean energy
and climate legislation prior to US Congressional elections Nov. 2, 2010.
Mid-term elections result in a significant shift of Congressional control to the
Republican Party. Reflecting the impact of that shift on the future of a cap-and-trade
bill designed to reduce GHG emissions, President Obama comments: "It's doubtful
that you could get the votes to pass that through the House this year or next year or
the year after.”*
While a Presidential veto could block expected attempts to undermine clean energy
initiatives, it will be difficult to gain support
for effective climate change legislation.
Date: Nov. 2, 2010
Location: United States
* http://yhoo.it/boEqnT
US Congressional Elections
32. Date: Oct. 14, 2010
Location: Luxembourg
European Environment Ministers follow up on environmental issues in the EU. It
is the Ministers’ goal to attempt to adopt a common position on climate change in
order to have a united voice at any future international negotiations.
The Council collectively decides to support a single legally binding piece of
legislation to protect the climate after 2012.
It also expresses support to consider a second commitment period of the Kyoto
Protocol.
Click here to view the meeting’s press release
3036th Environment Council Meeting
33. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM): A mechanism implemented by the Kyoto
Protocol. It allows an Annex B country with an emission reduction commitment to
conduct an emission-reduction project in a developing country. The Annex B country
may then earn certified emissions reduction credits that can be counted towards
meeting its reduction target.
Joint Implementation (JI): A mechanism implemented by the Kyoto Protocol. It allows
an Annex B country with an emission reduction commitment to earn emission
reduction units (ERU) from an emission reduction/removal project in another Annex B
country. The country can count the ERU towards meeting the reduction target.
Adaptation Funding: Funding for adaptation projects in developing countries that are
the most vulnerable to adverse effects of climate change. The fund is financed partly
by proceeds from the CDM and is managed by the Adaptation Fund Board.
Definitions provided by the UNFCCC website: http://unfccc.int/2860.php
Terms Defined
34. Date: Dec. 7-18, 2009
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
COP15 was the 15th session of the Conference of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol.
It was anticipated as a significant step in the increasing international push for new
binding climate change legislation.
Focus was on attempting to draft new legislation and deciding if goals set by the
Kyoto Protocol should continue post-2012. COP15 failed to produce a new
agreement that would follow the Protocol.
Independent of the official process, The Copenhagen Accord, a non-binding
voluntary agreement on GHG emissions reductions was drafted on the last day by
the U.S., China, Brazil, India, and South Africa.
COP15
35. Date: Nov. 29-Dec. 10, 2010
Location: Cancun, Mexico
COP16 is the next Conference of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol. The primary
objective is to work towards finding an international agreement that can follow
the Kyoto Protocol.
It will also be necessary to increase the confidence of small island states and
African countries with regard to adequate funding and aid from developed
countries for implementing green technology.
Parties are expected to discuss the Clean Development Mechanism, Joint
Implementation, and adaptation funding.
Some, including the Council of the EU Environment Ministers, believe that the
ideas suggested in the Copenhagen Accord should be integrated into the new
framework that is to be created in Cancun.
COP16
36. The BASIC countries (or G4) are a bloc of four large developing countries – Brazil,
South Africa, India and China – formed by an agreement on Nov. 28, 2009 at
COP15. The four, initiated and led by China, committed to act jointly at the
Copenhagen climate summit, including a possible united walk-out if their
common minimum position was not met by the developed nations. On the last
day of COP15 the US brokered the Copenhagen Accord with BASIC .
BASIC COUNTRIES
37. Signatories to the Kyoto Protocol are categorized into three groups based on
their responsibilities:
– Annex I: Industrialized countries that have agreed to reduce emissions.
– Annex II: Developed countries who have to pay for the costs of the emissions
reducing technologies of Developing countries.
– Non-annex: Developing countries who are not restricted by the Protocol.
Although the Protocol is binding, there are no penalties if Annex I countries do
not comply.
China and India, non-Annex countries not bound by the Protocol, are some of
the world’s top emitters.
Annex I & Annex II Countries
38. In January of 2010 the IPCC admits that a claim made in its 2007 report – that
Himalayan glaciers could melt away by 2035 – was unfounded, stating (“the clear
and well-established standards of evidence, required by the IPCC procedures,
were not applied properly.”
On Mar. 10, 2010 UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon requests an independent
review of the IPCC processes and procedures by the InterAcademy Council (IAC), a
multinational organization of the world’s science academies. The request was
reflective of the IPCC’s global role in assessing the latest scientific findings on the
complex science of climate change.
The August 2010 IAC review concludes that the process used by the IPCC to
produce its assessment reports has been a success overall, but that IPCC needs to
reform its management structure, strengthen its procedures, and become more
transparent to handle increasingly complex climate assessments and greater
public scrutiny.
Date: Aug. 30, 2010
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
View the IAC report.
IAC issues review of IPCC
