OMNI
UN CLIMATE/ENVIRONMENTAL
ORGANIZATIONS NEWSLETTER #1, AUGUST 26,
2014 (revised Sept. 20, 2014).
Compiled by Dick
Bennett for a Culture of Peace, Justice, and Ecology
What’s at stake: Global problems call for global solutions by global
organizations, particularly those that transcend national interests. Many central UN organizations (e.g., WHO,
UNHCR) relate closely to the following organizations. Support these UN organizations. We need the United Nations to deal with world
problems. Get active to support a
stronger UN.
Newsletters
Index:
Blog
(479)
442-4600
UN
ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM (UNEP)
UN
FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
(UNFCCCF)
(UNFCCCF)
UN
CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (UNCBD)
UN
INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR AGRICULTURAL
DEVELOPMENT (IFAD)
DEVELOPMENT (IFAD)
UN
CONVENTION TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION (UNCCD)
Warsaw
Framework for Reducing Emissions from
Deforestation and Forest Degradation (Nov. 2013).
(UN REDD+)
Deforestation and Forest Degradation (Nov. 2013).
(UN REDD+)
UN
FOUNDATION
Contact
President Obama.
Contact
Representatives.
www.unep.org/
United
Nations Environment Programme
the united
nations environment programme (UNEP) is the voice for the
environment in the united nations system. it is an advocate, educator, catalyst
and ...
|
Professional
Positions - Project Positions - Internships - ...
|
About
UNEP: The Organization. Mission: To provide leadership ...
|
|
'Forests
in a Changing Climate: Sourcebook for REDD+' is ...
|
Addressing
climate change is central to the work of the United ...
|
UN
FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE (UNFCCCF)
o
Climate Change Newsroom from the UNFCCC
unfccc.int/
United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate C...
Website
featuring climate change and stories about the groundswell of climate ...
Produced by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
|
Bonn
Climate Change Conference - October 2014. The Ad ...
|
30
Jul - 13 Aug, 14/CON04/ITS, Senior Software Developer ...
|
|
...
change provides a contextual entry point to the Essential ...
|
Upcoming
sessions - Sbsta 40 - SBI 40 - UNFCCC Calendar
|
|
Information
from the United Nations Framework Convention ...
|
The
195 countries that have ratified the Convention are ...
|
|
|
|
AllAfrica.com -
7 hours ago
The
goal notes that the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
is the primary international, intergovernmental forum for ...
en.wikipedia.org/.../United_Nations_Framework_Convention_...
Wikipedia
Jump
to Criticisms
of the UNFCCC Process - [edit].
Christiana Figueres (left) - Executive Secretary UNFCCC, and
Noeleen Heyzer - ES of Economic and ...
www.climate-leaders.org/climate-change-resources/india-at.../unfccc-cop
The United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC or
FCCC) is an international environmental treaty that was produced at the
United ...
www.cop19.gov.pl/unfccc
UNFCCC. The United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an international
environmental treaty negotiated at the United Nations Conference ...
www.preventionweb.net
› ... › Organization
Contacts
In
1992, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
was adopted as the basis for a global response to tackle the
challenge ...
www.iisd.ca
› Climate and Atmosphere
Linkages
The UN
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an
intergovernmental treaty developed to address the problem of climate change.
AllAfrica.com-7
hours ago
The
goal notes that the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
is the primary international, intergovernmental forum for ...
Climate Crisis
Connects Us, Climate Justice Demands Unity
OpEdNews-3 hours ago
OpEdNews-3 hours ago
Explore
in depth (4
more articles)
The
Holmes Report-Aug 22, 2014
BONN,
GERMANY—The secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is seeking a PR firm to
help ...
Responding
to Climate Change-13 hours ago
“The
UN principle of full consensus allows countries opposed to ... theUN Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meets in ...
Center
For American Progress-Aug 25, 2014
...
of the September 2015 U.N. summit to adopt the post-2015 framework. ... U.N. Framework
Convention on Climate Change, or UNFCCC, ...
Belfast
Telegraph-15 hours ago
This
is one of the many conundrums of the climate change debate ...
the UNFCCC/IPCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate ...
The
Kardashians And Climate Change: Interview With Judith Curry
Eurasia Review-17 hours ago
Eurasia Review-17 hours ago
Explore
in depth (15
more articles)
Belfast
Telegraph-15 hours ago
This
is one of the many conundrums of the climate change debate ...
the UNFCCC/IPCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate ...
eco-business.com-Aug
24, 2014
“The
UN principle of full consensus allows countries opposed to ... theUN Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meets in ...
Today's
Zaman-Aug 19, 2014
Twenty-two
years ago, the United Nations Framework Convention on ClimateChangeunfccc
.int/>
(UNFCCC) was unveiled; ...
Fox
News-Jul 30, 2014
EXCLUSIVE:
The United Nations is putting new momentum behind the
... Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),
theU.N. ...
gulfnews.com-Aug
20, 2014
Twenty-two
years ago, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
was unveiled; today, 195 countries have ...
Stay
up to date on results for UN FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
(UNFCCC).
UN
Convention on Biological Diversity
Sign
up for an account | Sign In
Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Biological Diversity
The
ConventionCartagena ProtocolNagoya ProtocolProgrammesInformationSecretariat
The
Hyderabad call for "Biodiversity Champions" invites Parties and
partners to pledge support for the achievement of the Aichi Biodiversity
TargetsRead MoreThe Eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 11)Read MoreThe Convention on
Biological Diversity is an international treaty to sustain the rich diversity
of life on Earth.Read More193 States and the European Union are party to the
Convention on Biological Diversity.Read MoreThe Cartagena Protocol aims at
reducing the potential adverse effects of biotechnology on biodiversity.Read
MoreThe Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its Aichi Targets
represent the world's commitment to reduce biodiversity loss.Read More2011-2020
is the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity to reflect on biodiversity and act
for a future in harmony with nature.Read MoreThe Green Wave is a global
campaign to educate children and youth about biodiversity.Read MoreThe Nagoya
Protocol provides a framework for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits
arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.Read More
United
Nations
Decade
on BiodiversityDays to meet
the
Aichi TargetsCOP 11COP 12Strategic Plan
2011-2020Biodiversity
ChampionsIDB
2014GBO 3CBOLifeWebRio Conventions
PavilionAmbassador
Edward
NortonThe Green WaveBusiness &
BiodiversityJapan
Fund for BiodiversityNBSAPAccess &
Benefit-sharing
25
July 2014
Essential
role of biodiversity and ecosystems for sustainable development recognised in
Sustainable Development Goals
Biological
diversity and ecosystems featured prominently in the proposal of a set of 17
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that the Open Working Group on Sustainable
Development Goals of the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly
agreed by acclamation to forward to the General Assembly, setting the stage for
better links between the implementation of the biodiversity agenda of the
Convention on Biological Diversity, and the post-2015 sustainable development
agenda.
Read
More
Essential
role of biodiversity and ecosystems for sustainable development recognised in
Sustainable Development Goals
Governments
fulfil their commitment: Access and benefit-sharing treaty receives required
number of ratifications to enter into force
Statement
by Mr. Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, CBD Executive Secretary, on the Occasion
of the 10th Anniversary Celebrations of the International Treaty on Plant
Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Coming into Force, Geneva,
Switzerland, 3 July 2014
More
News
Statement
by the CBD Executive Secretary on the occasion of the 20th Session of the
International Seabed Authority Assembly, 14 to 25 July 2014, Kingston, Jamaica
Déclaration
de M. Braulio ferreira de Souza Dias, Secrétaire exécutif de la CDB, à
l'occasion de l'atelier sur les synergies entre redd + et la conservation et
restauration des écosystèmes dans les stratégies nationales et les plans
d'action, Douala, Cameroun, 8 juillet 2014
Governments
review science base for achievement of global biodiversity targets
Countries
Newsletters
& Publications
Special
Focus on Canada
Special
Focus on Canada
[square
brackets] Issue 9, July 2014
CBD
Technical Series 72
CBD
Technical Series 73
Framework
and Action Plan for Capacity-Building on Biosafety
More
Newsletters & Publications
Programmes
Each
programme factsheet introduces a key biodiversity topic
Executive
Secretary's Statements
Mr.
Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary of the Convention on
Biological Diversity
25
August 2014, San Jose, Costa Rica
Capacity-Building
Workshop for Mesoamerica on Ecosystem Conservation and Restoration to Support
Achievement of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets
11
August 2014
Pacific
Regional Joint Preparatory Meeting for the CBD COP12, CMS COP11 and Ramsar
COP12
9
August 2014
International
Day of The World’s Indigenous Peoples, 9 August 2014
More
Executive Secretary's Statements
Media
Headlines
26
August 2014, The Japan Times
A
transformative global agenda for development
26
August 2014, Trust.org
Small
island states, facing rising seas, seek economic overhaul
26
August 2014, Nature
Incognito
caterpillar threatens US borders
26
August 2014, National Geographic
Atop
Food Chain, Ospreys Ingest Many Poisons, Revealing Environmental Dangers
26
August 2014, Trust.org
Venezuela
needs low-carbon action - not greenwash
More
Headlines
Decisions
& Recommendations
19
October 2012, Hyderabad
COP
11 Decisions
5
October 2012, Hyderabad
COP-MOP
6 Decisions
18
October 2013, Montreal
SBSTTA
17 Recommendations
11
May 2012, Montreal
WGRI
4 Recommendations
28
February 2014, Pyeongchang
ICNP
3 Recommendations
More
Decisions & Recommendations
Upcoming
Meetings
25
- 28 August 2014, San José, Costa Rica
Capacity-building
workshop for Mesoamerica on ecosystem conservation and restoration to support
achievement of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets
26
- 28 August 2014, Apia, Samoa
Regional
Capacity-Building Workshop for the Pacific Region on Traditional Knowledge and
Customary sustainable use under the CBD
29
- 31 August 2014, San José, Costa Rica
Inter-regional
capacity-building workshop on REDD+ and Aichi Biodiversity Targets
9
- 11 September 2014, Montreal, Canada
CBD
Expert Workshop to Provide Consolidated Practical Guidance and a Toolkit for
Marine Spatial Planning
29
September - 3 October 2014, Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea
Seventh
meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties
to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
More
Meetings
Notifications
26
August 2014
Nomination
or Confirmation of National...
22
August 2014
Selected
indigenous and local community...
21
August 2014
Peer
review of the State of Knowledge...
8
August 2014
Invitations
for Proposals for the Rio...
7
August 2014
High-Level
Segment of the twelfth meeting...
More
Notifications
Quick
links
Decisions
Meetings
Notifications
News
Headlines
Publications
CHM
BCH
Parties
Country
Profiles
National
Focal Points
Nationals
Strategies (NBSAPs)
National
Reports
Contributions
Cooperation
& Partnerships
logo
IFAD Enabling poor rural people
to
overcome poverty
Home
Who we are What we do Where we work Topics we cover Our stories Newsroom
Evaluation
123
family
farming
IN
FOCUS
2014
International Year of Family Farming: IFAD's commitment and call for action
The
International Year of Family Farming recognizes the importance of family
farming in reducing poverty, improving food security and achieving more
sustainable approaches to agricultural and rural development.
Read
more
sids
IN
FOCUS
Investing
in sustainable development in small island states
As
the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States prepares
to convene, IFAD projects aim to go the last mile in addressing the unique
needs and vulnerabilities of island nations.
Read
more
viewpoint
IN
FOCUS
Viewpoint:
The human face of development
As
the gap between rich and poor continues to grow in developing countries,
increasing investment in rural people is crucial if we are to eradicate hunger
and poverty, explains IFAD's President.
Read
more
NEN
Climate
IN
FOCUS
Spotlight
on climate and environment: Near East and North Africa
Get
a glimpse into the approaches supported by IFAD that address climate change in
the Near East and North Africa region with up to date research, interactive
maps, blogs and videos.
Read
more
NEW
Speeches
and statementsStatement by IFAD President at the Asia-Pacific Conference on
Family Farming: Women as key agents for rural development Statement by IFAD
President at the Asia-Pacific Conference on Family Farming Plenary session:
Zero Hunger Challenge Statement by IFAD President at the Trust for Advancement
of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS): Foundation day lectureStatement on the
U.S.-African Leaders Summit: 'Investing in the next generation'Press
releasesIntel technology helps small farmers support Cambodia's export
goalsIFAD President to meet head of state and ministers in The Gambia to
discuss investments in smallholder agriculture, women and youthTAAS hosts IFAD
President for Foundation Day lecture on research for sustainable agriculture developmentJob
opportunities Check out IFAD's job opportunities and vacancies
EVENTS http://www.ifad.org/
BLOG
RECENT
VIDEO
São
Tomé was once the world's biggest exporter of cocoa, but a decade ago the
global cocoa price crash destroyed the industry here and desperate farmers have
been clearing the forests to find alternative ways to make a living. But then
the rising global demand for organic chocolate changed everything. IFAD joined
forces with French organic chocolate company, Kaoka, to revive the island's
cocoa industry. And it looks like chocolate might just save this island.
http://www.ifad.org/
Home
Currently
selected
About the
Convention
Key topics
Regions
Publications
Stakeholders
Events &
media
Official
documents
New
partnership approach to build capacity on land and soil management
24/06/2014-
During her visit to Israel on 10-11 June 2014, Monique Barbut, Executive
Secretary has agreed on a new
partnership approach to build capacity on land and soil management, through...
> >
more...
Carbon in
dryland soils : Multiple essential functions
Soil organic
carbon (SOC) has a key role in the overall behaviour of soils and
agroecosystems. Increasing its content enhances soil quality and fertility,
thus improving agricultural resilience...
> >
more...
The IWG meets
for the second time (IWG-2)
16-18 July
2014 in Beijing, China. Pan Yingzhen, China’s new UNCCD National Focal Point
opened the meeting, welcomed all participants and introduced Zhang Yongli, Vice
Minister of the State...
> >
more...
UNCCD 5th
reporting and review process closed
187 UNCCD
reports have been submitted by Country Parties for the 2014 leg of the UNCCD
5th reporting and review process. Submitted reports are available on the home
page of the PRAIS portal.
> >
more...
Biomass
Productivity-Based Mapping of Global Land Degradation Hotspots
01/08/2014 -
Using global-level remotely sensed vegetation index data, the hotspots of land degradation across major
land cover types can be spotted.
> >
more...
Lessons
Learned from Marginal Drylands
16/07/2014 -
“Successful interventions for degraded drylands require holistic approaches
that focus on improved income generation from agriculture and alternative
livelihood sources” says the...
> >
more...
First
e-newsletter of the UNCCD CSO panel
The members
of the panel prepared the first issue of this electronic newsletter to inform
the CSOs on about the latest news of their work, the activities related to the
convention and other...
> >
more...
Caux Dialogue
on Land and Security 2014 Focuses on “Mitigating Risk; Responding to Threat”
09/07/14 -
Held at Caux, Switzerland in the first week of July, the 2014 Caux Dialogue on
Land and Security focused on the linkage between land and security.
Participants discussed how climate...
> >
more...
New partnership
approach to build capacity on land and soil management
24/06/2014-
During her visit to Israel on 10-11 June 2014, Monique Barbut, Executive
Secretary has agreed on a new
partnership approach to build capacity on land and soil management, through...
> >
more...
Carbon in
dryland soils : Multiple essential functions
Soil organic
carbon (SOC) has a key role in the overall behaviour of soils and
agroecosystems. Increasing its content enhances soil quality and fertility,
thus improving agricultural resilience...
> >
more...
12345678PreviousNextPause
New partnership
approach to build capacity on land and soil managementCarbon in dryland soils :
Multiple essential functionsThe IWG meets for the second time (IWG-2)UNCCD 5th
reporting and review process closedBiomass Productivity-Based Mapping of Global
Land Degradation HotspotsLessons Learned from Marginal DrylandsFirst
e-newsletter of the UNCCD CSO panelCaux Dialogue on Land and Security 2014
Focuses on “Mitigating Risk; Responding to Threat”New partnership approach to
build capacity on land and soil managementCarbon in dryland soils : Multiple
essential functions
20 Years of
Progress
Watch videos
showing some of the achievements in soil management, agriculture, forestry,
water management and others made possible by the existence of the convention.
> more
3rd UNCCD
scientific conference: call for abstracts
Deadline
closing soon. Submit your extended abstract by 15 September 2014.
> more
UNCCD 5th
reporting and review cycle
National
reports available
187 UNCCD
reports have been submitted by Country Parties for the 2014 leg of the UNCCD
5th reporting and review process. Submitted reports are available on the home
page of the PRAIS portal.
> more
UNCCD
Knowledge Products
Capacity
Building Marketplace
PRAIS
Library
Catalogue
SKBP
interactive web maps
Land
Degradation Neutrality
Regreening
Ethiopia's Highlands
Ethiopians
use Sustainable Land Management practices to reclaim their land from
degradation. From concrete and practical framework planning to implementation
by communities, Regreening Ethiopia's Highlands: A Message of Hope from Africa
showcases Ethiopia's journey to rehabilitate its land.
The
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) is an
intergovernmental treaty developed to address the problem of climate change.
The Convention, which sets out an agreed framework for dealing with the issue, was
negotiated from February 1991 to May 1992 and opened for signature at the June
1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) — also known as the
Rio Earth Summit. The UNFCCC entered into force on 21 March 1994, ninety days after the 50th country’s ratification
had been received. By December 2007, it
had been ratified by 192 countries.
Parties
to the Convention continue to meet regularly to take stock of progress in
implementing their obligations under the treaty, and to consider further actions
to address the climate change threat. They have also negotiated a protocol to
the Convention. The Kyoto Protocol was first agreed in December 1997 in Kyoto,
Japan, although ongoing discussions were needed between 1998 and 2004 to
finalize the “fine print” of the agreement. The Protocol obliges industrialized
countries and countries of the former Soviet bloc (known collectively as “Annex
I Parties”) to cut their emissions of greenhouse gases by an average of about
5% for the period 2008-2012 compared with 1990 levels. However, under the terms
agreed in Kyoto, the Protocol only enters into force following ratification by
55 Parties to the UNFCCC, and if these 55 countries included a sufficient
number of Annex I Parties that at least 55% of that group’s total carbon
dioxide emissions for 1990 were represented. Although the world’s largest
emitter of greenhouse gases, the United States, rejected the Kyoto Treaty in
2001 after the election of President George W. Bush, a majority of other Annex
I Parties, including Canada, Japan, and the countries of the European Union
ratified the treaty. In November 2004, the Russian Federation also ratified the
Protocol, thus reaching the 55% threshold. The Protocol finally entered into
force as a legally-binding document on 16 February 2005. By December 2007, the
Protocol had been ratified by 177 countries, including Annex I parties
representing 63.7% of Annex I greenhouse gas emissions in 1990.
With
the immediate future of the Kyoto Protocol secured by Russia’s ratification, an
increasing focus of discussions since 2005 has been on the multilateral
response to climate change post-2012, when the Protocol’s first commitment
period expires. At the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali in December 2007,
delegates agreed on a “roadmap” for 2008 and 2009 designed to bring about an
agreement by December 2009.
The
UNFCCC
Conference
of the Parties: Parties to the UNFCCC continue to adopt decisions, review
progress and consider further action through regular meetings of the Conference
of the Parties (COP). The Conference of Parties is the highest-decision making
body of the Convention, and usually meets annually.
Secretariat:
The Conference of Parties and the Convention goals are supported by various
bodies and organizations. This includes a Permanent Secretariat with various
duties set out under Article 8 of the UNFCCC. Since 1996, the Secretariat has
been based in Bonn, Germany, after an offer to host it was accepted by Parties
to the first meeting of the COP in 1995.
Subsidiary
Bodies: A number of subsidiary bodies also advise the COP. The Subsidiary Body
on Scientific and Technical Advice (SBSTA) links scientific, technical and
technological assessments, the information provided by competent international
bodies, and the policy-oriented needs of the COP. The Subsidiary Body for
Implementation (SBI) was created to develop recommendations to assist the COP
in reviewing and assessing implementation of the Convention and in preparing
and implementing its decisions. The SBSTA and SBI usually meet twice each year,
at the same time and venue. One of these two yearly meetings generally takes
place in parallel with the COP.
More
recently, two additional bodies have been established. In late 2005, the Ad Hoc
Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto
Protocol was established. In late 2007, the COP decided to establish the Ad Hoc
Working Group on Long-Term Cooperative Action, under the COP. For more
information on these bodies, see the sections on “COP 11” and “Post-2012
Issues” (below).
Financing
and the Global Environment Facility: The UNFCCC includes provision under
Article 10 for a financial mechanism to support developing countries and
countries with economies in transition to a market economy in implementing the
Convention. Parties to the UNFCCC decided that the Global Environment Facility
(GEF) should act as the financial mechanism, given its expertise in this area.
Other
financial resources for implementing the Convention are also available through
the Special Climate Change Fund, the Least Developed Countries Fund, and the
Adaptation Fund, as well as through donor countries and agencies.
Expert
Groups and Other Constituted Bodies: The Convention is also supported by a
number of expert groups and other constituted bodies. These include the
Consultative Group of Experts (CGE) on national communications from “non-Annex
I” Parties (a group composed mostly of developing countries). Other bodies
include the Least Developed Country Expert Group (LEG), the Expert Group on
Technology Transfer, and the Executive Board of the Clean Development Mechanism
(CDM) and Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee.
The
Conference of the Parties also cooperates with, and is supported by, numerous
other international organizations and other groups, including scientific
bodies, UN agencies, and other conventions. These include the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which publishes comprehensive reviews on
climate change science every five to six years, as well as other technical
reports and papers.
Another
group, the open-ended Ad Hoc Group on the Berlin Mandate (AGBM), which was
created following COP-1 and was instrumental in securing the agreement on the
Kyoto Protocol in 1997, no longer convenes.
A
History of Climate Change Negotiations
The
UNFCCC has now been in existence for many years. The Earth Negotiations
Bulletin (ENB) has reported from every COP and meeting of the subsidiary
bodies, as well as one interim meeting prior to the first Conference of the
Parties (for more detailed information, see ENB UNFCCC Archives). The following
section charts the history and development of climate change negotiations from
the early 1990s to the end of 2007, with links to more detailed information
contained in the Earth Negotiations Bulletin.
Negotiation
of the UNFCCC: The international political response to climate change began
with the adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) in 1992. The UNFCCC sets out a framework for action aimed at
stabilizing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases to avoid “dangerous
anthropogenic interference” with the climate system. Controlled gases include
methane, nitrous oxide and, in particular, carbon dioxide. The UNFCCC entered
into force on 21 March 1994, and now has 192 parties.
Kyoto
Protocol: However, in light of increasing scientific evidence about the risks
of climate change, it soon became evident to policy makers that a further
negotiated agreement might be necessary. In December 1997, delegates at COP 3
in Kyoto, Japan, agreed to a Protocol to the UNFCCC that commits developed
countries and countries in transition to a market economy to achieve quantified
emission reduction targets. These countries, known under the UNFCCC as Annex I
parties, agreed to reduce their overall emissions of six greenhouse gases by an
average of 5% below 1990 levels between 2008-2012 (the first commitment
period), with specific targets varying from country to country. The Protocol
also established three flexible mechanisms to assist Annex I parties in meeting
their national targets cost-effectively: an emissions trading system; joint
implementation (JI) of emission reduction projects between Annex I parties; and
the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), which allows for emission reduction projects
to be implemented in non-Annex I parties (developing countries). Following COP
3, parties began negotiating many of the rules and operational details
governing how countries will implement and measure their emission reductions.
To date, the Kyoto Protocol has been ratified by 177 countries, including Annex
I parties representing 63.7% of Annex I greenhouse gas emissions in 1990. The
Kyoto Protocol entered into force on 16 February 2005.
Buenos
Aires Plan of Action: In November 1998, COP 4 agreed on the process for
finalizing the rules and operational details of the Protocol in a document
known as the Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA). The BAPA set COP 6 as the
deadline for finalizing these details and strengthening implementation of the
UNFCCC. In November 2000, parties met at COP 6 in The Hague, the Netherlands,
to complete these negotiations. They were not successful, and COP 6 was
suspended until July 2001, when it reconvened in Bonn, Germany. After further
talks, parties adopted the Bonn Agreements, a decision that provided high-level
political direction on the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. But delegates
were still unable to finalize text on some issues, and agreed to forward all
the draft decisions to COP 7 for final resolution.
Marrakesh
Accords: In November 2001 at COP 7 in Marrakesh, Morocco, delegates reached
agreement on the outstanding matters in the Marrakesh Accords. These Accords
consisted of a package of draft decisions on many of the details of the Kyoto
Protocol, including the flexible mechanisms, reporting and methodologies, land
use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF), and compliance. The Marrakesh
Accords also addressed issues such as capacity building, technology transfer,
responding to the adverse effects of climate change, and the establishment of
three funds: the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Fund, Special Climate Change
Fund (SCCF), and Adaptation Fund.
Delegates
built on the Marrakesh Accords at COP 8 and COP 9, elaborating on various
technical rules and procedures. At COP 10 parties also agreed on two new agenda
items focused on adaptation and mitigation, and began informal negotiations on
the complex and sensitive issue of how parties might engage on commitments to
combat climate change in the post-2012 period.
Montreal
Conference – COP 11 and COP/MOP 1: COP 11 and COP/MOP 1 took place in Montreal,
Canada, from 28 November to 10 December 2005. COP/MOP 1 took decisions on the
outstanding operational details of the Kyoto Protocol, and formally adopted the
Marrakesh Accords. The meetings also engaged in negotiations on longer-term
international cooperation on climate change. COP/MOP 1 addressed possible
processes to discuss post-2012 commitments and decided to establish a new
subsidiary body, the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I
parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG).
After
lengthy negotiations, COP 11 also agreed to consider long-term cooperation
under the UNFCCC “without prejudice to any future negotiations, commitments,
process, framework or mandate under the Convention.” This would take place
through a series of four workshops constituting a “Dialogue” on the matter
through to COP 13.
Protocol
AWG and Convention Dialogue: The AWG and Convention Dialogue convened four
times: at SB 24 (Bonn, Germany, May 2006); COP 12 and COP/MOP 2 (Nairobi,
Kenya, November 2006); SB 26 (Bonn, May 2007); and the “Vienna Climate Change
Talks” (Vienna, Austria, August 2007).
The
AWG began by considering the focus of its future work. At its second session in
November 2006, the AWG agreed on a work programme focusing on: mitigation
potentials and ranges of emission reductions; possible means to achieve
mitigation objectives; and consideration of further commitments by Annex I
parties. At its third session in May 2007, the AWG adopted conclusions on the
analysis of mitigation potentials and agreed to develop a timetable to complete
its work so as to avoid a gap between the first and second commitment periods.
The fourth session of the AWG started in Vienna in August 2007 and concluded in
Bali during COP/MOP 3. In Vienna, delegates focused on mitigation potentials
and possible ranges of emission reductions for Annex I parties. The AWG adopted
conclusions referring to some key findings by Working Group III of the IPCC, including
that global greenhouse gas emissions need to peak in the next ten to fifteen
years and then be reduced to well below half of 2000 levels by the middle of
the 21st century in order to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the
atmosphere at the lowest levels assessed by the IPCC. The AWG’s conclusions
also recognize that to achieve the lowest stabilization level, Annex I parties
as a group would be required to reduce emissions by a range of 25-40% below
1990 levels by 2020.
The
Convention Dialogue workshops began with an initial exchange of views on the
four thematic areas identified at COP 11: advancing development goals in a
sustainable way; addressing action on adaptation; realizing the full potential
of technology; and realizing the full potential of market-based opportunities.
The second and third workshops involved an exchange of views on the four areas,
while the fourth focused on bringing together ideas from the previous workshops
and addressing overarching and cross-cutting issues, including financing. The
final two workshops also considered the next steps after the Dialogue’s four
scheduled meetings had come to an end. As well as the AWG and Convention
Dialogue, recent UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol meetings have also addressed
long-term issues in other settings, including a first review of the Protocol
required under Article 9, and a proposal by the Russian Federation on
“voluntary commitments.”
UN
Climate Change Conference in Bali – COP 13 and COP/MOP 3: The “United Nations
Climate Change Conference in Bali” was held from 3-15 December 2007. These
meetings resulted in the adoption of 15 COP decisions and 13 COP/MOP decisions
and the approval of a number of conclusions by the subsidiary bodies. These
outcomes covered a wide range of topics, including finalizing the Adaptation
Fund under the Protocol, a decision on reducing emissions from deforestation in
developing countries, and outcomes on technology transfer, capacity building,
the Kyoto Protocol’s flexible mechanisms, the adverse effects of combating
climate change, national communications, financial and administrative matters,
and various methodological issues.
The
main focus in Bali, however, was on long-term cooperation and the post-2012
period, when the Kyoto Protocol’s first commitment period expires. Negotiators
spent much of their time seeking to agree on a two-year process – or “Bali
roadmap” – to finalize a post-2012 regime by December 2009. Negotiations were
conducted in a number of groups under the aegis of both the Convention and the
Protocol. Under the Convention, the discussions focused on how to follow up on
the “Dialogue on long-term cooperative action to address climate change by
enhancing implementation of the Convention.” Under the Protocol, the AWG
considered a timetable for determining Annex I commitments for the post-2012
period. Delegates also outlined a preparatory process for the second review of
the Protocol under Article 9, and held discussions on the “Russian proposal” on
voluntary commitments.
Negotiations
on these issues were only completed on Saturday afternoon, 15 December, 24
hours after the conference’s scheduled conclusion, when ministers and other
high-level officials agreed to a series of outcomes that together comprise the
“Bali roadmap.” These decisions provide guidance and direction for a series of
meetings over the next two years under both the Convention and Protocol, with
the aim of concluding a comprehensive framework for the post-2012 period at COP
15 and COP/MOP 5 in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2009.
Post-Bali
Talks: Following Bali, three negotiations were held during 2008 in the lead-up
to the next COP. The first session of the AWG-LCA and fifth session of the
AWG-KP took place from 31 March to 4 April 2008, in Bangkok, Thailand. Further
sessions were held in June 2008 in Bonn, Germany and in August 2008 in Accra,
Ghana.
The
main focus of AWG-LCA 1 in Bangkok was on developing its work programme for
2008. The work programme, adopted at the end of the meeting, aims to further
discussions on all elements of the Bali Action Plan at every session of the
AWG-LCA in a “coherent, integrated and transparent manner.” It establishes a
detailed work programme, including a timetable for eight in-session workshops
to be held during 2008. The AWG-KP convened an in-session workshop on analyzing
the means for Annex I parties to reach their emission reduction targets. In its
conclusions, AWG-KP 5 indicated that the flexible mechanisms under the Protocol
should continue in the post-2012 period, and be supplemental to domestic
actions in Annex I countries.
During
the first two weeks of June 2008, delegates convened in Bonn, Germany, to
participate in four meetings as part of ongoing negotiations under the UNFCCC
and the Kyoto Protocol – AWG-LCA 2, AWG-KP 5 (Part II), SBI 28 and SBSTA 28. At
this meeting, the AWG-LCA shifted its focus towards more substantive topics,
with three workshops to help delegates consider adaptation, finance, and
technology. Parties also started discussions on a “shared vision for long-term
cooperative action,” climate change mitigation, and the AWG-LCA’s work
programme for 2009. The fifth session of the AWG-KP focused on the means for
Annex I countries to reach emission reduction targets, with delegates
addressing four specific issues: the flexible mechanisms; land use, land-use
change and forestry (LULUCF); greenhouse gases, sectors and source categories;
and possible approaches targeting sectoral emissions. Parties also considered
relevant methodological issues. The SBI and SBSTA took up a range of issues,
some related to their regular, ongoing work under the UNFCCC and Kyoto
Protocol, and some more closely connected to the post-2012 discussions. The SBI
examined subjects such as capacity building, technology transfer and
preparations for the second review of the Protocol under Article 9. SBSTA’s
agenda included items on technology transfer and reducing emissions from
deforestation in developing countries.
Delegates
next convened in Accra, Ghana, from 21-27 August 2008 for AWG-LCA 3 and AWG-KP
6. The main focus of AWG-LCA 3 was to continue to exchange ideas and clarify
key elements of the Bali Action Plan (decision 1/CP.13), including a “shared
vision for long-term cooperative action,” mitigation, adaptation, technology
and finance. Two in-session workshops were held on: cooperative sectoral
approaches and sector-specific actions, and policy approaches; and on policy
incentives on issues relating to reducing emissions from deforestation and
forest degradation in developing countries (REDD), and the role of
conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest
carbon stocks in developing countries. The AWG-KP focused on the means for
Annex I countries to reach emission reduction targets, with delegates
addressing the flexible mechanisms and land use, land-use change and forestry
(LULUCF).
Further
Reading on the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol
Uniting
on Climate (A Guide to the Climate Convention and Kyoto Protocol), UNFCCC
Secretariat, 2007
The
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Handbook, UNFCCC Secretariat, 2006
Other
UNFCCC publications
^
up to top
Linkages
Recent meetings
Upcoming meetings
Media reports
Key publications
Linkages Update
MEA Bulletin
CLIMATE-L.ORG
ARC
UNFCCC
Introduction
ENB Archives
Montreal
Protocol
Introduction
ENB Archives
Relevant
Links
UNFCCC Secretariat
Ozone Secretariat
IISD Climate Change Knowledge Base
IISD South-North Knowledge Network
Climate Ark - Climate Change &
Renewable Energy Portal
Other resources
The
Brookings Institution
Africa in Focus
Temesgen
Deressa, Bryce Campbell and Mwangi S. Kimenyi | November 27, 2013 11:16am
The
Warsaw Framework for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest
Degradation (REDD+): What It Means for Africa
More
Topics http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/africa-in-focus/posts/2013/11/27-cop19-redd-warsaw-africa-kimenyi
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Environment
Environmental
Regulation
Climate
Change
forestry
energy
and environment
climate
change
climate
politics
Share
on emailShare on twitterShare on facebookShare on linkedin Share on
google_plusone_shareShare on stumbleuponShare on redditShare on print
A giraffe stands under a tree at the foot of
Mount Kilimanjaro in the Amboseli national park, southern Kenya.
On
November 23, 2013 the United Nations Climate Change Conference, the 19th
Conference of Parties (COP19), concluded in Warsaw. One of the significant
outcomes of the conference was an agreement on a framework to support
developing nations reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and
forest degradation (REDD+). This framework, called the Warsaw Framework for
REDD+,
is backed by combined pledges of $280 million in financing from the United
States, Norway and United Kingdom. Support of the framework is particularly
important to African countries that are experiencing rapid and serious
deforestation.
REDD+
is one of the instruments defined by the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to reduce the
emission of greenhouse gases by targeted reductions of deforestation and forest
degradation, conversion and enhancement of forest carbon stocks, and improved
forest management. Forest lands in Africa are widely cleared and burned to make
new settlements, expand agricultural lands, exploit timber and timber products,
support rapid urbanization, and spread commercial farming and ranching.
Although Africa’s fossil-fuel CO2 emissions are insignificant compared to the
rest of the world (only 3.6 percent), the continent’s emissions from deforestation
account for about 17 percent of the global total. Given the contribution of
deforestation to global warming, Africa can play a vital role in mitigating
climate change through the reduction of deforestation.
Scientific
evidence shows that forestry and forest-related agricultural practices in
Africa can play the triple roles of 1) adaptation to climate change; 2)
mitigation of climate change; and 3) poverty reduction. For instance, one study
in western Kenya showed that agroforestry practices facilitate carbon
sequestration, improve farm productivity, increase household wealth, increase
income diversity and provide coping strategies during extreme climate events.
These
results imply that the Warsaw Framework for REDD+ has a high potential for
Africa if its constituent nations can tackle the challenges associated with its
implementation. So far, Africa’s experience with REDD+ has been mixed. Some of
the challenges it faces include the absence of national regulations on local
property rights on land, governance mechanisms on equitable sharing of carbon
payments, and low institutional capacity for REDD+ implementation. Lack of
technical skills in emissions accounting, lack of institutional and technical
skills to implement national forest inventory (NFI) programs, and an inability
to involve community on the designing and implementation of REDD+ projects at
the grass root level will also need to be overcome.
Policies
that increase the participation of communities in decision-making and
local-level technical capacities for effective monitoring, reporting and
verifying can reduce the challenges associated with implementation of REDD+ in
Africa. Additionally, delineation of property rights, especially on land, can
promote the role REDD+ can play in Africa. Moreover, the provision of
incentives such as tax reductions or soft loans could encourage the
participation of the private sector and enhance mitigation and adaptation
efforts to climate change in Africa. The first step should be the designing of
appropriate national polices that promote the implantation of REDD+. Moreover,
multilateral institutions like the African Development Bank, the World Bank,
and international aid agencies should prioritize climate funding on the
implementations of REDD+ in Africa. Finally, developed nations like Canada and
the European Union should follow the initiatives taken by the United States,
Norway and Great Britain in financing REDD+ in Africa.
With
the support of international partners, African countries can make important
gains in the fight against climate change while making simultaneous strides
towards their own development. The Warsaw Framework presents a win-win and will
hopefully lead to further gains moving towards COP20 in Lima and beyond.
Temesgen
Deressa
Guest
Scholar, Africa Growth Initiative
Bryce
Campbell
Acting
Assistant Director, Africa Growth Initiative
Portrait: Mwangi Kimenyi
Mwangi
S. Kimenyi
Director,
Africa Growth Initiative
Senior
Fellow, Global Economy and Development
@MwangiKimenyi
Mwangi
S. Kimenyi is senior fellow and director of the Africa Growth Initiative and
currently serves as advisory board member of the School of Economics,
University of Nairobi. The founding executive director of the Kenya Institute
for Public Policy Research and Analysis (1999-2005), he focuses on Africa's
development including institutions for economic growth, political economy, and
private sector development.
More
Posts from Mwangi > | View Expert Page >
 |
|||
|
Connecting You with the United Nations
|
|||
    |
|||
|
|
|||
    |
|||
HOW TO HELP:
CONTACT
US
Connecting
You with the UN to Solve Global Problems
CONTACT US
151 56 2218
No comments:
Post a Comment