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Climate Change Conferences – Timeline

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For So Since 1994, when the UNFCCC entered into force, the parties have been meeting annually in Conferences of the Parties (COP) to assess progress in dealing with climate change. The first meeting (COP1) was held in Berlin in 1995, and beginning in the mid-1990s, negotiations on the Kyoto Protocol to establish legally binding obligations for developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions started. At the COP-3 meeting in Kyoto in December 1997, parties adopted the Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change From 2005 the Conferences have met in conjunction with Meetings of Parties of the Kyoto Protocol (MOP).Parties to the Convention that are not parties to the Protocol are allowed to participate in Protocol-related meetings as observers. Year Milestone 1985 The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer is adopted. It outlines states’ responsibilities for protecting human health and the environment against the adverse effects of ozone depletion, established the framework under which the Montreal Protocol was negotiated. 1987 In 1987, The Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer agreed on. This international agreement controls the production and consumption of substances that can cause ozone depletion. The treaty was amended in 1990 and 1992. The Montreal Protocol stipulates that the production and consumption of compounds that deplete ozone in the stratosphere–chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform – are to be phased out by 2000 (2005 for methyl chloroform). Scientific theory and evidence suggest that, once emitted to the atmosphere, these compounds could significantly deplete the stratospheric ozone layer that shields the planet from damaging UV-B radiation. (See here ‘The Montreal Protocol Handbook that provides additional detail and explanation of the provisions) See also the ‘CIESIN’s Thematic Guide on Ozone Depletion and Global Environmental Change which presents an-in-depth look at causes, human and environmental effects, and policy responses to stratospheric ozone depletion. 1988 During a conference on the changing atmosphere held in Toronto in June, 1988 the World Meteorological Organization and UNEP established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The IPCC’s mandate is to assess scientific information related to climate change, to evaluate the environmental and socio-economic consequences of climate change, and to formulate realistic response strategies. 1989 UN General Assembly Resolution calls for global summit on environment and development issues 1990 First Assessment Report of IPCC published
December – UN General Assembly resolution establishes INC (Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee) to draft a framework convention, marking the start of treaty negotiations. Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration is 354 ppm February 1991 to May 1992 Representatives of 160 nations negotiate key issues
– Commitments to emission targets
– Provisions for technology transfer and financial resources to developing countries 9 May 1992 UNFCCC adopted INC adopts UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). Wanting to complete negotiations prior to the June 1992 Rio “Earth Summit”, negotiators from 150 countries finalized the Convention in just 15 months. United Nations adopted the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in New York, and 154 states signed it in Rio in June, 1992 June 1992 UNFCCC opened for signature at United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Rio Earth Summit). 21 March 1994 UNFCCC comes into force on 21 March 1994 with requisite ratification by 50 signatories. It’s stated objective is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system … within a time frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner.
(ratified by 186 countries as of July 2002)
– No legally binding targets (Annex I countries to return to 1990 levels by the end of the decade)
– Submit National Communications March 1995 / COP adopted First Conference of Parties (COP-1) in Berlin adopts the Berlin Mandate. New round of negotiations launched on a ‘protocol or other legal instrument’
– No new commitments for non-Annex I countries
– Introduction of Activities Implemented Jointly (AIJ) – voluntary cooperative GHG-mitigation projects December 1995 IPCC approves its Second Assessment Report. Its findings underline the need for strong policy action.
– The balance of evidence suggests a discernible human influence on global climate
– Significant ‘no regrets’ opportunities available
– Potential risk of damage sufficient to justify action beyond ‘no regrets’ July 1996 COP-2 in Geneva takes note of the Geneva Ministerial Declaration, which acts as a further impetus to the on-going negotiations
– Scientific research provides basis for urgently strengthening action
– World faces significant, often adverse impacts from climate change
– Legally-binding significant overall reductions in GHG emissions to be negotiated by the next COP December 1997 COP-3 meeting in Kyoto adopts the Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change March 1998 Kyoto Protocol opened for signature at UN headquarters in New York.
Over a one-year period, it receives 84 signatures November 1998 COP-4 meeting in Buenos Aires adopts the Buenos Aires Plan of Action setting out a programme of work on the operational details of the Kyoto Protocol and the implementation of the Convention. COP-6 set as deadline for adopting many important decisions 25 October – 5 November, 1999. COP-5 in Bonn sets an aggressive timetable to achieve measurable progress by COP-6 on the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol. 13-25 November, 2000 COP-6 meets in The Hague, but fails to agree on a package of decisions under the Buenos Aires Plan of Action. It was primarily a technical meeting, and did not reach major conclusions. 17 –27 July 2001 COP-6 part II (or COP-6b) resumes in Bonn. Parties adopt the Bonn Agreements, registering political consensus on key issues under the Buenos Aires Plan of Action. They also complete work on a series of detailed decisions, but some remain outstanding 29 October to 10 November, 2001 COP-7 in Marrakesh finalizes and formally adopts COP-6b decisions as the Marrakesh Accords 23 October – 01 November, 2002, COP-8 held in New Delhi adopted the Delhi Ministerial Declaration that, amongst others, called for efforts by developed countries to transfer technology and minimize the impact of climate change on developing countries. It is also approved the New Delhi work programme on Article 6 of the Convention. The COP8 was marked by Russia’s hesitation, stating that the government needs more time to think it over. The Kyoto Protocol’s fine print says it can come into force only once it is ratified by 55 countries, including wealthy nations responsible for 55 per cent of the developed world’s 1990 carbon dioxide emissions. With the United States — and its 36.1 per cent slice of developed-world carbon dioxide — out of the picture and Australia also refusing ratification, Russia was required to make up the difference, hence it could delay the process 1 – 12 December, 2003 COP-9 in Milan, Italy: The parties agreed to use the Adaptation Fund established at COP7 in 2001 primarily in supporting developing countries better adapt to climate change. The fund would also be used for capacity-building through technology transfer. At COP9, the parties also agreed to review the first national reports submitted by 110 non-Annex I countries. 6 – 17 December, 2004 COP-10 in Buenos Aires, Argentina ****Not to be confused with Convention on Biological Diversity, also called COP 10 (10th Conference of Parties) leading to the Nagoya Protocol in 2010. COP-10 discussed the progress made since the first Conference of the Parties 10 years ago and its future challenges, with special emphasis on climate change mitigation and adaptation. To promote developing countries better adapt to climate change, the Buenos Aires Plan of Action was adopted. The parties also began discussing the post-Kyoto mechanism, on how to allocate emission reduction obligation following 2012, when the first commitment period ends. 28 November – 9 December 2005 COP 11 (or COP 11/MOP 1) in Montreal, Quebec, Canada was the first Meeting of the Parties (MOP-1) to the Kyoto Protocol since their initial meeting in Kyoto in 1997. It was therefore one of the largest intergovernmental conferences on climate change ever. The event marked the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol. Hosting more than 10,000 delegates, it was one of Canada’s largest international events ever and the largest gathering in Montreal since Expo 67. The Montreal Action Plan is an agreement hammered out at the end of the conference to “extend the life of the Kyoto Protocol beyond its 2012 expiration date and negotiate deeper cuts in greenhouse-gas emissions.” 6 – 17 November, 2006 COP-12 (or COP 12/MOP 2) in Nairobi, Kenya. The parties adopted a five-year plan of work to support climate change adaptation by developing countries, and agreed on the procedures and modalities for the Adaptation Fund. They also agreed to improve the projects for clean development mechanism. 3 -15 December, 2007 IPCC Fourth Assessment Report. COP-13 took place in Bali. The COP developed a 2-year road map to achieve an agreement in Copenhagen 2009. 1 – 12 December, 2008 COP14 – (or COP 14/MOP 4) took place in Poznań, Poland. The conference – known formally as the as the Fourteenth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 14) and, in parallel, the Fourth Session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP/MOP 4) – marked the midpoint between the 2007 Bali conference that launched a new negotiating round and for the conference in Copenhagen. Among the key outcomes were “work programmes” for 2009 for the two parallel negotiating tracks – one under the Framework Convention, the other under the Kyoto Protocol – which were expected to converge in a package deal in Copenhagen. Governments also presented and debated a number of concrete proposals for potential elements of a new agreement, which were compiled in a lengthy “assembly document”. The European Union called on developed countries as a group to reduce their emissions 30 percent below 1990 levels by 2020, and developing countries to reduce theirs 15 percent to 30 percent below business as usual. Developing countries, meanwhile, emphasized actions they were already taking to reduce emissions, and the need for stronger support from developed countries if they are to go further. Delegates agreed on principles for the financing of a fund to help the poorest nations cope with the effects of climate change and they approved a mechanism to incorporate forest protection into the efforts of the international community to combat climate change 7-18 December 2009 COP-15 in Copenhagen 2009. The goal was to develop a new protocol to be in effect from 2012 – 2050. Pledges on emissions reductions were made but no legally binding agreement. Over 40,000 participants attended 29 November to 10 December, 2010 COP16 – in Cancún, Mexico. In terms of the content of the Cancun Agreements, the following key matters were addressed: mitigation, monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV), adaptation, finance, technology, reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD+) and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The main and critical point is that the parties did not manage to agree on a second commitment period for emissions reductions targets under the Kyoto Protocol. However, various experts support the position that the Cancun Agreements should assist parties in progressing towards agreeing on a second commitment period. In the Cancun Agreements, the parties reconfirmed that deep cuts in global greenhouse gas emissions are required according to science, and as documented in the Fourth Assessment Report of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), with a view to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions in order to hold the increase in global average temperature below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. The parties also recognized the need to consider strengthening the long-term global goal on the basis of the best available scientific knowledge, specifically in relation to a global average temperature rise of 1.5°C. One of the tasks for COP 17 will be to work towards identifying a global goal for substantially reducing global emissions by 2050. The goals include a collective commitment by developed countries to provide USD30-billion in fast-start finance for developing countries between 2010 and 2012 and to mobilize USD100-billion a year in public and private finance by 2020 to address the mitigation and adaptation actions of developing countries. Source:Greenhouse Gas Protocol Initiative

– By SABC News Research team

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