climate solutions
International Climate Negotiations
In 1992, 160 nations of the world signed the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) at the "Earth Summit" in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The main goal of the FCCC is to achieve stabilization of the atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gas at a "level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system." In order to reach this goal, the FCCC set out a number of general principles, institutions, and processes for developing meaningful commitments to reduce the threat from global warming. All nations' actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, however, were voluntary.
Subsequently, at the Third Conference of the Parties (COP-3) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in December 1997, world leaders negotiated the Kyoto Protocol (amendment) to the FCCC -- potentially the first concrete step toward achieving the Framework Convention's goal. The Kyoto Protocol, if ratified by a sufficient numbers of nations, will legally bind developed nations to reduce their emissions to an agreed upon target level and timeline.
During the Fourth Conference of the Parties (COP-4) in November 1998, negotiators constructed the Buenos Aires Plan of Action, which set a deadline for decisions on the unfinished business from Kyoto, particularly the rules and guidelines for the flexibility mechanisms, such as emissions trading, joint implementation, and the Clean Development Mechanism. This deadline was set for the 6th COP.
The goal of the Sixth Conference of the Parties (COP-6) -- which took place in The Hague, Netherlands, November 13th - 25th, 2000 -- was to reach agreement on most of the operational details of the Kyoto Protocol. Despite optimism at the outset of negotiations, countries ultimately failed to reach agreement on the key details. Time simply ran out for a deal to be struck, particularly between the European Union (EU) and the United States (US) on the role of carbon sinks such as forests and farmland in meeting countries' respective emission reduction targets. At the final plenary on Saturday, November 25th, COP-6 President Jan Pronk of the Netherlands admitted that the expectations of the "outside world" had not been met.
After initially scheduling talks to resume in late May, the Bush Administration asked for postponement until July, in order to formulate its negotiation positions. Chairman Jan Pronk granted this request; the negotiations are scheduled to resume the in Bonn from 16 - 27 July 2001. UCS considers a postponement acceptable only if the Administration comes to the next meeting prepared to seriously negotiate.
To read more on the particulars of COP-6, or on past climate negotiation sessions, visit the SSI Updates section below. There you will find in-depth SSI Information Updates on past sessions, including UCS' observations at COP-6 and an evaluation of President Pronk's negotiating points.
SSI UPDATES ON Past Climate Negotiation Sessions
The Union of Concerned Scientists has been actively involved in international climate negations since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit which established the FCCC. Since its inception in 1995, the Sound Science Initiative (SSI) has help identify opportunities where scientists could support an international climate treaty that reflects the ever-stronger consensus among climate scientists that humans are having significant impact on the global climate.
- World Scientists' Warning to Humanity
In Rio, UCS released the World Scientists' Warning to Humanity, signed by over 1700 scientists, including 104 Nobel laureates -- a majority of the living recipients of the Prize in the sciences. This statement professed scientists' grave apprehension over the current state of human stewardship of the Earth and called for action to combat society's many environmental problems.
- A "Basket of Gases"
SSI worked to ensure that the six most important greenhouse gases that are injected into the atmosphere by human activites were included in the Kyoto Protocol. In the midst of the Kyoto climate summit negotiations (COP-3), the Clinton Administration wavered on its original negotiating position to include all six greenhouse gases. SSI members responded with over 35 documented letters from expert climate scientists, thus playing a vital role in persuading the Administration to hold firm on its position -- and for the subsequent inclusion of all gases in the final protocol.
- Domestic Support for the Kyoto Protocol
SSI scientists have also been engaged in domestic efforts to build support for the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. In the summer of 1999, 52 SSI scientistsvisited their respective Senators and Representative's offices to discuss the scientific evidence of climate change and its possible impacts.
- Scientists Call to Action on Forest Conservation
During COP-6, over 40 SSI scientists, via the UCS-sponsored Scientists Call for Action on Forest Conservation in the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), urged the Parties to the FCCC to include responsible measures to conserve and restore natural forests in the CDM of the Kyoto Protocol. Many other SSI scientists wrote opinion editorials and letters-to-the-editor urging the Clinton Administration to be a leader in forging a strong international global warming treaty with environmental integrity. Two SSI members traveled to The Hague with the UCS delegation to personally voice their concerns to the US negotiating team.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ON CLIMATE NEGOTIATIONS
UCS Report on the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
UCS: principles & criteria for including LULUCF in CDM
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Under the Kyoto Protocol, what is required of the US?
A: The Kyoto Protocol requires the group of industrialized countries known as Annex I nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on average by 5.2 percent below 1990 levels during the first "commitment period" between 2008 and 2012. This does not, however, represent a uniform target for all countries. Annex I nations will have individual emissions targets ranging from 92 and 110 percent of their 1990 emissions. Under this formula, the US must reduce its emissions by 7 percent from the 1990 level of emissions.
Q: Under the Kyoto Protocol, what is required of developing nations?
A: In keeping with the terms of the 1995 Berlin Mandate of the negotiations, the treaty does not require any binding emissions limitation commitments for developing countries for the first commitment period (2008 to 2012). However, developing countries are required to report in more general terms on their actions to address climate change and adapt to its effects.
Q: When does the Protocol go into effect?
A: The Kyoto Protocol will enter into force when 55 countries ratify the treaty and the countries that ratify must represent 55 percent of Annex 1 emissions. Once the Kyoto Protocol enters into force, it is binding on all those countries who have ratified it.
Q: What are Flexibility Mechanisms?
A: Flexibility mechanisms help countries meet their emissions reduction targets in the most cost-effective manner possible. They include emissions trading, joint implementation (JI), and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
Q: What is the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)?
A: The CDM allows industrialized countries to meet some of their emission reduction commitments through investment in projects in developing countries that both reduce emissions and promote sustainable development in the host countries. These projects are usually energy-related, but may also include forest sequestration.
For more in-depth info:
|
