Transcript Report on Copenhagen

Kyoto and Beyond
Report on Copenhagen
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LOGO
www.isciences.com
June, 2010
Introduction
Kyoto and Beyond is a series of presentations that
provide information concerning the evolving
international climate treaty process that began
with the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Report on Copenhagen is a summary of events that
transpired in Dec 2009 at the UNFCCC Conference
of the Parties (COP15), including the drafting of
the Copenhagen Accord and subsequent public
discourse.
Click here to view entire series
Contents
1
The Kyoto Protocol
2
3
4
5
COP15 and the Copenhagen Accord
Reactions to COP15
Steps toward COP16
2010 Timeline
The Kyoto Protocol
The convocation of nations in Copenhagen to address a future
climate agreement is the 15th in a series of meetings
resulting from the UNFCCC
The first formal international climate agreement requiring
limits to fossil fuel emissions is the Kyoto Protocol
which is currently in force.
Kyoto Protocol Background
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.
Kyoto Protocol Emissions Updates
Developed countries were
assigned limits on
emissions relative to 1990
levels and targets vary by
nation.
This table from UNFCCC
data shows progress
made in emissions
reductions as of 2009.
Image credit: UNFCCC
Kyoto Protocol Emissions Updates
The Climate Scorecard below shows an interpretation of the
performance of key nations (known as the G8) with respect
to meeting the terms of the Protocol.
For specific
information on each
country, click on
the country flags
Source: World Wildlife Foundation/Allianz
http://www.worldwildlife.org/climate/policy/g8-scorecard.html
COP15: Overview
The most recent Conference of the Parties was COP15 in
Copenhagen, Denmark Dec 7-18, 2009.
COP15 was particularly significant due to
an increasing international push for new
binding climate change legislature.
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
The focus of COP15 was on attempting to
draft new legislation and deciding if goals
set by the Kyoto Protocol should continue
post-2012.
Time was also spent improving the clean
development mechanism and drafting
decisions on adaptation, technology, and
capacity building.
Click here to view the schedule of COP15
COP15: Details
What was expected
What actually happened
Finding a new commitment phase for the
Kyoto Protocol that includes emissions
reductions from developing countries.
No binding framework was created; no
obligations on developing countries to
make cuts.
Lowering the target temperature rise
from 2C to 1.5C to protect the least
developed nations and smallest islands
from disappearing.
The 2C target temperature prevailed due
to the high cost associated with the .5C
decrease (trillions of dollars per
industrialized nation).
Forming an agreement on how to avoid
catastrophic temperature increases by
2050.
The goal of reducing global CO2
emissions by 50% (80% for
industrialized nations) was dropped.
Forming a method for developing
countries to receive aid and funding
towards reducing emissions levels.
Creating an accountability mechanism to
ensure funding occurs.
No mechanisms put in place to mobilize
$100 billion by 2020 to aid developing
countries. No decisions were made as to
which developed countries would provide
funding.
Forming a new legally binding
agreement.
The Copenhagen Accord was created
separately from COP15. Not legally
binding.
The Copenhagen Accord
It became apparent that the COP15 process was floundering,
and during the last days of COP15 the Copenhagen Accord
evolved.
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
The Copenhagen Accord was the result
of an independent action of the U.S.,
China, Brazil, India, and South Africa.
The meeting, as well as the drafting of
the accord, were not an official part of
COP15. The process was controversial
due to the limited international
involvement.
Some countries that were excluded from the process renounced
the Accord. These include Venezuela, Bolivia, Cuba, and
Nicaragua.
Contents of the Copenhagen Accord
Sets a goal limiting the increase in
Earth’s average temperature to 2
degrees Celsius from pre-industrial
levels; process yet to be established.
A
States that Annex I countries of the
Protocol should further strengthen their
efforts to meet targets set by the Protocol.
B
Funding will be provided to developing countries for
lowering emissions from deforestation and forest
degradation, and for adaptation and technology
development and transfer.
Copenhagen Green Climate Fund will be the operator of
finances to help developing countries conduct activities
related to mitigation.
Click here to view the entire Copenhagen Accord
NOTE: No specific
emissions reductions
have been set and the
Accord is not legally
binding.
C
D
Outcome
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
COP15 did not achieve its
objective which was to
establish an agreement
subsequent to the Kyoto
Protocol. However, on the last
day, December 18th, it did
acknowledge the Accord as a
means to move the process
forward.
The Copenhagen Accord is not legally binding, but allows
for nations to submit voluntary commitments. While the
Accord initially raised controversy, there has been
increasing acceptance. As of January 2010, 124 countries
were engaged in some form of voluntary commitment.
The Accord is currently viewed as a declaration that
expresses an intent to act on climate change.
Supportive Reactions to COP15
“We’ve come a long way but we have
much further to go.” -Barack Obama, US
President
“Given where we started and
the expectations for this
conference, anything less than
a legally binding and agreed
outcome falls far short of the
mark. On the other hand…
perhaps the bar was set too
high and the fact that there’s
now a deal… perhaps gives us
something to hang our hat on.”
-John Ahse, Chair of Kyoto
Protocol Talks
“The leaders of a small number of key
countries…worked to identify a politically
feasible path forward. Their roadmap,
despite its flaws, offers a possible
foundation for progress…Unlike Kyoto,
this accord establishes a framework for
involving key, rapidly growing developing
countries” -Robert Stavins, Professor at
the Harvard Kennedy School
“We have made a start. I believe that
what we need to follow up on quickly is
ensuring a legally binding outcome.” Gordon Brown, UK Prime Minister
“The meeting has had a positive
result, everyone should be happy.
After negotiations both sides
have managed to preserve their
bottom line. For the Chinese this
was our sovereignty and our
national interest.” -Xie Zhenhua,
Head of China’s Delegation
“The Copenhagen Accord is no substitute
for a real-deal treaty, but world leaders
became personally acquainted with the
tough issues, directly and seriously
negotiating for the first time…” -Kelly
Sims Gallagher, Professor of Energy and
Environmental Policy at The Fletcher
School
Unsupportive Reactions to COP 15
“Anything above 1.5 Degrees, the
Maldives and many small islands and
low-lying islands would vanish. It is
for this reason that we tried very
hard during the course of the last
two days to have 1.5 degrees in the
document. I am so sorry that this
was blatantly obstructed by bigemitting countries.”
- Mohamed Nasheed, Maldives’
President
“I will not hide my
disappointment regarding the
non-binding nature of the
agreement here. In that respect
the document falls far short of
our expectations” -Jose Manuel
Barroso, EU Commission
President
“The draft text asks Africa to sign a
suicide pact, an incineration pact in
order to maintain the economic
dominance of a few countries” Lumumba Stanislaus Di-Aping, Head of
G-77 Group
Click here to view other reactions
“It’s very disappointing, I would say, but
it is not a failure…We have a big job
ahead to avoid climate change through
effective emissions reduction targets and
this was not done here.” -Sergio Serra,
Brazil’s Climate Change Ambassador
“It looks like we are being
offered 30 pieces of silver to
betray our people and our
future.” -Ian Fry, Tuvalu’s Lead
Negotiator
“Copenhagen has been an abject failure.
Justice has not been done. By delaying
action, rich countries have condemned
millions of the world’s poorest people to
hunger, suffering and loss of life as climate
change accelerates. The blame for this
disastrous outcome is squarely on the
developed nations.” - Nnimmo Bassey,
Friends of the Earth International
COP15: Limited Progress
The general consensus of attending
parties was that COP15 was
unsuccessful.
In the coming months, countries
will work towards finding an
agreement on new binding
legislation.
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
Many feel it will be necessary to provide more detail in the
Accord to increase transparency to rebuild trust.
There is talk of creating a global climate fund to service
developing nations. This may create balance between the
developed and developing nations.
Steps Toward COP16
November 29 – December 10, 2010 in Cancun, Mexico
Further talks necessary before
COP 16 in order to reach a
legislative agreement.
Emissions pledges not
large enough. Need
new program to
strengthen pledges.
Execute progress tracking
systems for developed
countries. Create for
developing countries.
Forums and Talks
Strengthening Emissions Pledges
Progress Tracking System
Details on finance,
forests,
adaptation,
technology.
Improving Details of the Accord
Click stepped text
for further details
on each step.
2010 Timeline
Key
9th Meeting of the
Enforcement
Branch of the
Compliance
Committee
Decoding the
Copenhagen
Accord Event on
Capitol Hill
January
| February
Bonn Climate
Change Talks
| March
| April
Bonn Climate
Change Talks –
Second Round
| May
| June
Address by Yvo
de Boer at
Petersberg
Climate Dialogue
20th Meeting of the
Joint
Implementation
Supervisory
Committee
Speech by Yvo de
Boer at Public
Hearing on Climate
Change
The World’s
People’s
Conference on
Climate Change in
Bolivia
Date Set
Second
International
Conference on
Climate Change
Proposed Date
World Energy
Congress in
Montreal
| July
| August
| September | October
Mexico’s
Proposed
Additional Climate
Change Meeting
| November | December
COP16 in Cancun,
Mexico
G20 Climate
Meetings in Seoul
Click on events for further information and supporting documents
Concluding Statement
Article 2 of the UNFCCC calls for the
stabilization of atmospheric GHG
concentrations at levels that “prevent
dangerous anthropogenic interference with
the climate system.”
The UNFCCC/Kyoto/Copenhagen process
continues as nations attempt to meet this
objective.
We plan to provide updates and links to
important documents when COP16 and
other notable events occur.
References
Ahmed, Imad. "What Happened at Copenhagen?" Graduate Professional School of International Affairs - The Fletcher
School at Tufts University. 7 Jan. 2010. Web. http://fletcher.tufts.edu/news/2010/01/opeds/Ahmed-Jan07.shtml
Baste, Ivar A. "Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee Publishes Report of 20th Meeting - ClimateL.org." Climate-L.org - Daily News. 24 Feb. 2010. Web. http://climate-l.org/2010/02/25/joint-implementationsupervisory-committee-publishes-report-of-20th-meeting/
"Bolivia Climate Change Conference and the Rights of Mother Earth." Ecowalkthetalk.com. 28 Apr. 2010. Web.
http://www.ecowalkthetalk.com/blog/2010/04/28/bolivia-climate-change-conference-and-the-rights-of-motherearth/
"Bonn Climate Change Talks." International Institute for Sustainable Development - Reporting Services (IISD RS) "Linkages" - A Multimedia Resource for Environment and Development Negotiations. Web.
http://www.iisd.ca/climate/ccwg9/
"Bonn Climate Change Talks." United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Web.
http://unfccc.int/2860.php
"Bonn Climate Change Talks Conclude: More Optimism, but Still ‘unbalanced’." United Nations Non-governmental
Liaison Service. 16 June 2010. Web. http://www.un-ngls.org/spip.php?article2523
Climate Change Conference 2010." Climate Change. University of Queensland. Web. http://on-climate.com/conference2010/
"End of COP15: Our Work Begins Now." Cascade Climate Network. Web.
http://cascadeclimate.org/cop15/index.php/2009/12/20/end-of-cop15-our-work-begins-now/
G20 Seoul Summit. Web. http://www.seoulsummit.kr/
"G8 Climate Scorecards." World Wildlife Fund. Web. http://www.worldwildlife.org/climate/policy/G8-climatescorecards.html
"GHG Data from UNFCCC." United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Web.
http://unfccc.int/ghg_data/ghg_data_unfccc/items/4146.php
"Hill Event Analyzes Copenhagen Accord and the Future of Climate Negotiations." The German Marshall Fund of the
United States. 25 Jan. 2010. Web. http://bit.ly/bAoXOa
Morales, Alex. "Mexico Proposes Two Additional Climate Change Meetings in 2010." Bloomberg.com. 12 Feb. 2010.
Web. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601130&sid=ariJgCukCteI
Morgan, Jennifer. "From Angst to Action: Moving Forward After Copenhagen | World Resources Institute." World
Resources Institute | Global Warming, Climate Change, Ecosystems, Sustainable Markets, Good Governance & the
Environment. 7 Apr. 2010. Web. 22 May 2010. http://www.wri.org/stories/2010/04/angst-action-moving-forwardafter-copenhagen?utm_campaign=wri-digest&utm_medium=email&utm_source=wridigest-201004&utm_content=hyperlink&utm_term=FromAngstToAction
Stavins, Robert. "Opportunities and Ironies: Climate Policy in Tokyo, Seoul, Brussels, and Washington."Belfer Center for
Science and International Affairs. Harvard University, 21 Mar. 2010. Web.
http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/analysis/stavins/?tag=cop-16
Vidal, John. "Bolivia Climate Change Talks to Give Poor a Voice." The Guardian. Guardian News, 18 Apr. 2010. Web.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/apr/18/bolivia-climate-change-talks-cochabamba
"What Happened at COP15 in Copenhagen?" GHG Accounting. Web. http://ghgaccounting.ca/?p=282