negotiation watcher


The long path toward a new climate agreement replacing the Kyoto Protocol after 2012, is in a crucial phase of negotiations. In 2007, the Bali Road Map set the deadline for the conclusion of these negotiations at the 15th UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP-15) in Copenhagen from 7-18th  December 2009. However, despite the efforts to reach a common position during the preparatory talks, the outcome of the Conference was not the comprehensive and legally binding agreement urgently needed to address climate change. On the morning of Saturday, December 19, 2009 the COP released its final decision: the Copenhagen Accord. Drafted by some heads of governments including United States, China, India and Brazil after two weeks of hard negotiations, the Copenhagen Accord is only a political agreement that does not specify an overall emission target but recognizes some basic principles that will lead future action against climate change.


The sections below summarize the main points of the Copenhagen Accord and, for matters not addressed by the agreement, report the countries’ position in the negotiating process.
Mitigation
Mitigation commitments and actions could be expressed both as the economy wide targets and developed or developing country nationally appropriate measures.
>> more
Adaptation
Adaptation actions include changes in processes, practices or structures to moderate or offset the potential damages of climate change.
>> more

Finance
Both developed and developing countries stressed the importance of finance for the Copenhagen agreement.
>> more
Technology
The main issue with technology is how to transfer mitigation and adaptation technologies to developing countries.
>> more
Carbon market and flexible mechanisms
The carbon market is a key player in attracting both private and public investments having the potential to move huge financial flows to developing countries for mitigation and adaptation.
>> more
Legal outcome
The debate on further commitments also involves the future legal outcome of the new agreement. The Bali Action Plan calls for an agreed outcome, but leaves the legal form open.
>> more

For questions and comments please contact: marinella.davide@feem.it