1. Negotiations

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change – UNFCCC

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) sets out the basic legal framework and principles for international climate change cooperation with the aim of stabilizing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) to avoid “dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.”

To boost the effectiveness of the 1992 UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol was adopted in December 1997. It committed industrialized countries and countries in transition to a market economy to achieve quantified emissions reduction targets for a basket of six GHGs. The Kyoto Protocol’s first commitment period took place from 2008 to 2012. The 2012 Doha Amendment established the second commitment period from 2013 to 2020. In December 2015, parties adopted the Paris Agreement, which requires all parties to determine, plan, and regularly report on the nationally determined contribution (NDC) that it undertakes to mitigate climate change. Parties also submit aggregate progress on mitigation, adaptation, and means of implementation, which are reviewed every five years through a Global Stocktake.

Events

Showing 31 - 40 of 89 results

Bonn Climate Change Conference - April 2013

The second session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP 2) was structured around workshops and roundtable discussions, covering the ADP’s two workstreams on the 2015 agreement (Workstream 1) and pre-2020 ambition (Workstream 2). Many felt this format was helpful in moving the ADP discussions forward. Several delegates noted, however, the ADP needs to become more focused and interactive in future sessions.
Event 29 April 2013 - 3 May 2013

Doha Climate Change Conference - November 2012

The Doha Climate Change Conference was about moving toward adopting a universal climate agreement by 2015—rather than immediately raising ambition as demanded by many youths and NGOs. Delegates also arrived at COP 18 with the objective of adopting a second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol and finally closing the door on the two Ad hoc Working Groups: the AWG-KP and AWG-LCA. Doha was also very much about the cost of addressing climate change and making progress on long-term funding to support action in developing countries, which is supposed to reach a level of USD 100 billion a year by 2020, as agreed in Copenhagen in 2009.  
Conference of the Parties (COP) 26 November 2012 - 8 December 2012

Bangkok Climate Change Conference - August 2012

At the informal additional sessions of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention, the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol, and the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP), parties convened in roundtable sessions to discuss their vision and aspirations for the ADP, the desired results of its work and how these results can be achieved. Parties also discussed how to enhance ambition, the role of means of implementation, and how to strengthen international cooperative initiatives, as well as the elements that could frame the ADP’s work.
Event 30 August 2012 - 5 September 2012

Bonn Climate Change Conference - May 2012

Delegates faced a heavy workload, including the tasks needed to operationalize the institutions and mechanisms established in Cancun and Durban. Parties also had to try to demystify what it was they had agreed to during the waning hours of the frenzied COP 17. However, negotiations got off to an inauspicious start and the Bonn Climate Change Conference was marred by mistrust and unabashed posturing.
Event 14 May 2012 - 25 May 2012

Durban Climate Change Conference - November 2011

After the frustrations at the Copenhagen conference and the struggle to rescue the multilateral climate regime in Cancun, negotiators at the Durban Climate Change Conference turned a corner and not only resuscitated the Kyoto Protocol but, in doing so, adopted a decision that will lead to negotiations on a more inclusive 21st century climate regime. Many welcomed the adopted decisions including on the Green Climate Fund, and the Durban Platform, as well as the process to launch an agreement with legal force.  
Conference of the Parties (COP) 28 November 2011 - 11 December 2011

Panama City Climate Change Conference - October 2011

The conference included the third part of the 16th session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP) and the third part of the 14th session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA). Progress was made on some issues, however many felt the outcomes were relatively modest and a lot of work remains to be done in Durban.
Event 1 October 2011 - 7 October 2011