negotiation watcher > mitigation
Mitigation actions could be expressed both as the economy wide targets and developed or developing country nationally appropriate measures. During the last talks, most countries agreed on the need for an ambitious emissions reduction action, however they disagreed on aggregate emissions reduction target and different responsibility degree. On one side, developing countries asked for stronger and legally binding emission reduction targets, emphasizing the historical responsibility of developed nations; on the other, developed countries expected a greater commitment by growing economies, especially by major emitters. On this topic, Parties debated very fiercely during the last years, unable to find a common solution.
The Cancún Agreements confirm the principle already included in the Copenhagen Accord, officially recognizing the need to limit the global temperature increases below 2 degrees. The Agreements also take note of the individual reduction pledges submitted in 2010 to the UNFCCC Secretariat by both Annex I and Non-Annex I Parties (summarized in Tab.1 and Tab. 2 below).
Parties also agreed on the mechanism for transparency and accountability of mitigation commitments (the so called MRV - Measurement, Reporting and Verification). According to this provision, countries will regularly report on the progress made in meeting their individual targets or actions. Developing countries accept to report their emission reduction actions to international consultation and analysis (and in case review them).
Tab 1
Annex I Parties |
Emissions reduction target in 2020 |
Base year |
Emissions target wrt 1990* |
Australia1 |
- 5% up to - 15-25% |
2000 |
+13% up to +1 -11% |
Canada |
- 17% |
2005 |
+ 2.52% |
Croatia |
- 5% |
1990 |
- 5% |
EU2 |
- 20 to - 30% |
1990 |
- 20% to - 30% |
Japan |
- 25 % |
1990 |
-25% |
Kazakhstan |
- 15% |
1992 |
n.a. |
New Zealand3 |
- 10 to - 20% |
1990 |
-10% to - 20% |
Norway4 |
- 30 to - 40% |
1990 |
- 30% to - 40% |
Russia5 |
- 15 to - 25% |
1990 |
- 15% to - 25% |
U.S.A |
- 17% |
2005 |
- 3% |
| Note: * Source: UNFCCC, National Greenhouse Gas Inventory. Excludes LULUCF. 1 Australia will reduce emissions by 15% if major developing economies commit to substantially restrain emissions and advanced economies take on commitments comparable to Australia's. Australia would move to 25% reduction if the world agrees to an ambitious global deal capable of stabilising levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at 450 ppm CO2-eq or lower. 2 The EU would move to a 30% reduction if other developed countries commit themselves to comparable emission reductions and that developing countries contribute adequately according to their responsibilities and respective capabilities. 3 New Zealand would move to 20% reduction if there is a comprehensive global agreement. 4 Norway would move 40% reduction if major emitting Parties agree on emissions reductions in line with the 2 degrees Celsius target. 5 Russia would 25% reduction if major emitting Parties take legally binding commitments to reduce GHG emissions. |
|||
Tab 2
Non-Annex I Parties |
Emissions reduction in 2020 |
Base year |
Brazil |
- 36.1 to - 38.9% |
BaU |
China |
Reduced carbon intensity of output by |
2005 |
India |
Reduced carbon intensity of output by |
2005 |
Indonesia |
- 26% |
BaU |
Israel |
- 20% |
BaU |
Maldives |
Carbon neutrality |
--- |
Mexico |
- 30% |
BaU |
Marshall Island |
- 40% |
2009 |
Moldova |
- 25% |
1990 |
Singapore |
- 16% |
BaU |
South Africa |
- 34% |
BaU |
South Korea |
- 30% |
BaU |
