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Details of the Deal Reached at COP 17

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The participants at the U.N. climate change talks in Durban, South Africa, managed to come to an agreement on a package of measures early on Sunday that would eventually force all the world's polluters to take legally binding action. A new body known as the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action was also established to negotiate a global agreement.

This achievement is a positive step forward given the fact that there were very low expectations for COP 17. Hopes of reaching a deal to replace the Kyoto Protocol had all but vanished prompting the German environment minister Norbert Röttgen to say:

"We are now in an extremely critical situation because of time. The delay is very critical ... It is very doubtful whether we will succeed."

Despite resistance from China, India and the US, in an extended session, Europe succeeded in getting the parties to agree on a legally binding protocol by 2015 that would cover the world's major carbon polluters. The plan extends the existing Kyoto Protocol, and will see the world's biggest emitters enter into binding emission cuts by 2020.

The 190 countries agreed to four main elements, 1) A second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol, 2) The design of a Green Climate Fund, 3) A mandate to get all countries in 2015 to sign an emissions reduction deal that would force them to cut emissions no later than 2020 and 4) A working plan for 2012.

Although the details still need to be worked out, there was a general agreement on extending Kyoto for five years. The deal extends Kyoto, whose first phase of emissions cuts run from 2008 to the end of 2012. The second commitment period will run from January 1, 2013 until the end of 2017.

The parties at COP 17 agreed to start negotiations for a new legally binding treaty to be decided by 2015 and to come into force by 2020.

The fate of Kyoto's Joint Implementation (JI) mechanism, remains uncertain as negotiators once again failed to come to a decision on whether to allow emission reduction projects to earn carbon credits under the scheme beyond 2012.

Although the exact definition of terms has yet be precisely defined, this agreement is important because of what is known as the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action. Under this Platform, member states would "develop a new protocol, another legal instrument or agreed outcome with legal force that will be applicable to all Parties to the UN climate convention."

Even though there was no pledge to extend the emissions cuts made at COP 15 and 16, participants at COP 17 agreed to develop a new legal instrument that would "raise levels of ambition" in reducing greenhouse gas emissions with the goal of keeping global warming below 2 degrees Celsius.

In addition to the above, the Durban Package will build trust by making the process more transparent

COP 17 saw progress on the design of Green Climate Fund to channel up to $100 billion a year by 2020 to poorer nations. However, details of exactly where the money will come from were not forthcoming.

Next year there will be further discussions that will develop a new market mechanisms to succeed the Kyoto Protocol. This mechanism will "bear in mind different circumstances of developed and developing countries." Recommendations will be made at the summit in Qatar at the end of 2012.

New rules have been created for carbon capture that will force project developers to put five percent of the carbon credits earned in a reserve, to be awarded to them only after site monitors have proved that no carbon dioxide has leaked from the underground store 20 years after the end of the crediting period.

Delegates agreed to consider private funding and market-based mechanisms as options to finance the program on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Although it may take years to put into place, the agreement will facilitate private investment.

To see the final texts click here.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Extended COP 17 Negotiations Yield Agreement

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After two weeks of negotiations in Durban, South Africa, a deal was reached that makes progress towards a binding treaty to address climate change. Talks were supposed to wrap up Friday but continued through the night, and then into Saturday night, before negotiators could come to an agreement. The two most prominent elements of the deal concern a replacement for the soon to expire Kyoto Protocol, and general terms for the green climate fund.

Under the terms of the agreement, the 190 countries involved in negotiations have agreed to work towards "a protocol, legal instrument or agreed outcome with legal force." This will be adopted no later than 2015 but won't come into force until after 2020.

Throughout the conference there were disagreements between the US, India and China over the respective responsibilities of developed versus developing countries in reducing carbon emissions known as differentiated responsibilities.

Despite the disagreements a deal was reached on common but differentiated responsibilities and a funding mechanism for poorer countries known as the green climate fund.

The aid group CARE International criticized the "weak" and "bitterly disappointing outcome" of the conference. “It is inexcusable that parties have shown lack of urgency and commitment," said Tonya Rawe, Senior Policy Advocate for CARE USA.

UN chief negotiator Christiana Figueres said the Durban agreement is "critical next step," but also admitted it is "still insufficient."

The COP 17 agreement may represent progress, but it is uncertain whether it will be enough to contain climate change.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Who is to Blame for Difficulties at COP 17?

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As COP 17 comes to a close, European Union Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard blamed China and India for resisting the EU-designed “road map” designed to succeed the Kyoto Protocol which is set to expire in 2012.

Although support has grown for the EU plan, it may not be enough. African nations, 43 island states and 48 of the world’s least developed countries have said that they back the EU plan for binding targets by 2015. Even Canadian Environment Minister Peter Kent said Ottawa had forged a partnership with small island states

The EU roadmap calls for UN talks to agree on a mandate to negotiate by 2015, a new climate deal covering all major economies, in return for the bloc signing up to a second period of emissions cuts under the existing Kyoto treaty.

The EU wants action from other countries as the Kyoto Protocol, which was never ratified by the US and does not cover major economies such as China, accounts for just 15% of world greenhouse gas emissions.

US agreement is difficult due to opposition from Congress, which must ratify any treaty. Nonetheless, climate change envoy Todd Stern said Washington supports an EU roadmap to a new treaty. Stern told reporters. “The EU has called for a roadmap (to a future deal). We support that.” However, last night the US said it would not agree to talks for a legally binding deal.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Hope Remains Despite Expectations of a Dissapointing Outcome at COP 17

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The COP 17 climate negotiations wrap up today in Durban, South Africa. Although there are very low expectations, some optimism remains. However unlikely, it is not impossible for developed and developing countries to compromise and reach an agreement on equitable and enforceable targets to reduce CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions.

The UN’s climate change chief Christina Figueres stated that “future commitments by industrial countries to slash greenhouse gas emissions is the defining issue of this conference."

"We are in Durban with one purpose: to find a common solution that will secure a future to generations to come," said Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, South Africa’s international relations minister who is chairing the summit.

As though to reinforce the urgency of a solution, an unusual torrential storm hit Durban on the eve of the conference. The storm prompted Figueres to say “Although the unseasonable storm cannot be directly linked to climate change, it is the kind of extreme weather that scientists say is happening more often.”

Even if we do not see the groundbreaking progress we need, the negotiations will proceed beyond the end of COP 17. Although the situation may look bleak, we must continue to hope because when it comes to managing climate change failure is not an option.

Figueres, quoting Nelson Mandela said, "It always seems impossible until it is done."

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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China an Unlikely Hero at Cop 17

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China is often criticized for being the world’s biggest carbon emitter, but at COP 17 the country has emerged as an unlikely hero. China is in the process of reinventing itself and it is looking increasingly towards the green economy to do so. Chinese delegation head Xie Zhenhua said China might be willing to sign a legally binding agreement for reducing emissions.


If certain preconditions are met China would consider signing a binding agreement. “China is open,” Xie told reporters at COP 17.

According to booklet at the country’s official pavilion China is interested in “Working hard to tackle climate change.”

These claims as more than just hot air as China's new five-year government plan makes the country a global leader with its green growth and low-carbon initiatives.

However, China has repeatedly stated that as a developing nation, with no historical responsibility for carbon emissions, it cannot be held to the same standards as industrialized countries.
“China will shoulder the responsibility that is appropriate to its development,” Xie reiterated Monday.

South African international relations minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said "China is laying its cards on the table. Other negotiators will be laying the cards on the table and work then gets escalated. And that is what makes us hopeful we are moving in the right direction,” she said.

Despite a steller communications initiative China is unlikely to consider signing an internationally binding deal until after 2015, when a scientific assessment ends, and it wouldn’t take effect until 2020 at the earliest.

Until then China will focus on its domestic policies related to climate change, and the particularly tough task of implementing emissions controls in a country with runaway growth and the world’s biggest population.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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