1. ECBI Regional Workshop 2008 Prepared by FIELD, London
The UNFCCC & Kyoto Protocol - key issues in the negotiating process from Bali (2007) to Copenhagen (2009)
ECBI Regional Workshop
2008
Prepared by FIELD,
London

2. Climate change
Wide political recognition that it is a serious threat
Many argue that warming must be kept to less than 2°C degrees to avoid the worst effects

3. The international agreements
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Rio Conference on Environment and Development 1992
192 Parties
Kyoto Protocol
182 Parties – in force in 2005

4. UNFCCC & Kyoto Protocol - Objectives
UNFCCC - aims to bring developed country greenhouse gas emissions back to 1990 levels
Kyoto Protocol - aims to reduce overall developed country emissions by around 5% below 1990 levels over ‘first commitment period’

5. UNFCCC & Kyoto Protocol
Industrialised countries have historical responsibility for climate change and are to take the lead in emissions reductions
Commitments transfer financial resources and technology to developing countries
Principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’

6. UNFCCC & Kyoto Protocol
Annex I countries have emissions reduction commitments under the UNFCCC and as listed in Annex B to the Kyoto Protocol
Annex II countries have commitments to assist developing countries with finance and technology

7. Groups in the negotiations
G77 and China
Least Developed Countries Group
AOSIS (Alliance of Small Island States)
European Union (EU)
Umbrella Group – loose group of non-EU developed countries
Environmental Integrity Group – Mexico, Republic of Korea, Switzerland

8. Political issues
The US, a major emitter, has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol, but is a Party to the Convention
Pressure to engage some developing countries which do not have targets but have rapidly increasing emissions (e.g., China, India)

9. Main Goals in 2009
Agreement on commitments for developed countries under the Kyoto Protocol after 2012, when current commitments run out
Agreement on enhanced future cooperation for Parties to the Convention

10. Presentation structure
Summary overview of negotiations
from Bali Climate Conference (December 2007) to
Copenhagen Climate Conference (December 2009)
Overview of key issues

11. December 2007, Bali
Thirteenth Conference of the Parties (COP) to UNFCCC and Third Meeting of Parties (CMP) to Kyoto Protocol
Bali Road Map, which includes Bali Action Plan and other decisions.

12. From Bali to Copenhagen
Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex 1 Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP)
Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA)
Subsidiary Body for Scientific & Technological Advice (SBSTA)
Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI)
Workshops to deepen understanding of some issues
COP 14/CMP 4 & Subsidiary Bodies, 1-12 December 2008, Poznan, Poland
COP 15/CMP 5 & Subsidiary Bodies, 30 November – 11 December 2009, Copenhagen, Denmark

13. AWG-LCA First Session in Bangkok, 31 March-4 April, 2008
AWG-LCA focuses on:
A shared vision for long-term cooperative action
Enhanced national/international action on mitigation of climate change
Enhanced action on adaptation
Enhanced action on technology development and transfer to support action on mitigation and adaptation
Enhanced action on the provision of financial resources and investment to support action on mitigation and adaptation and technology cooperation

14. AWG-KP Has met several times. Issues include: Methodological issues
Emissions trading and the project-based mechanisms
LULUCF (land-use, land-use change and forestry)
Greenhouse gases, sectors and source categories
Possible approaches targeting sectoral emissions
Methodological issues
Potential environmental, economic and social consequences, including spillover effects, of tools, policies, measures and methodologies available to Annex 1 Parties

15. Bonn, Accra meetings Bonn, 2-13 June 2008, meetings of:
AWG-LCA 2
AWG-KP (resumed Fifth Session)
28th Subsidiary Body for Scientific & Technological Advice (SBSTA)
28th Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI)
Accra, August 2008, meetings of:
AWG-LCA 3
AWG-KP 6 (First Part)

16. Overview - key issues until 2009
Shared vision for long-term cooperative action & mitigation:
Action by both developed and developing countries
Possible approaches targeting sectoral emissions:
E.g. possible broadening of coverage of GHGs, sectors and source categories; bunker fuels
Emissions trading & project-based mechanisms:
Possible improvements and changes for second commitment period, e.g. expanding scope of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)

17. Adaptation Five- year Nairobi work programme agreed in 2006
Link to financing discussions
SBSTA 29 (December 2008) will consider the possible need for a group of experts to be established

18. Adaptation contd. Upcoming technical workshops include
Before SBSTA 30 (May/June 2009): workshop on increasing economic resilience and reducing reliance on vulnerable economic sectors; and on integrating practices, tools and systems for climate risk assessment, management and disaster risk reduction strategies into national policies and programmes
Before SBSTA 31 (COP15/CMP 5): workshop on advancing integration of various approaches to adaptation planning, including local and community-based adaptation

19. UNFCCC Arts. 4.8 and 4.9
Art. 4.8: actions to meet specific needs and concerns of developing country Parties arising from the adverse effects of climate change and/or the impact of the implementation of response measures - includes actions related to funding, insurance and technology transfer;
Art. 4.9: Parties are to take full account of the specific needs and special situations of LDCs in their actions with regard to funding and transfer of technology.
Assessment of implementation of Art. 4.8 and related decisions 5/CP.7 and 1.CP10 to take place at COP 14/CMP 4 in Poznan

20. Adaptation Fund
Funded through 2 % share of proceeds generated by the CDM
Developing country Parties to the Kyoto Protocol that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change are eligible for funding
Country-driven concrete adaptation projects
Adaptation Fund Board – tension with the Global Environment Facility (GEF), which provides Secretariat on interim basis

21. Other Funds Special Climate Change Fund
Projects on adaptation, technology transfer and capacity-building, energy, transport, industry, agriculture, forestry and waste management, and economic diversification
Least Developed Countries Fund
Support for LDCs – NAPAs

22. Financing Concerns about the GEF:
Financing for national communications; difficulties accessing funding;
Resource Allocation Framework (RAF)
Fourth review of the financial mechanism - decision in preparation for COP 15
Role of the private sector in financing: developing countries see limited role, while e.g. US believes it should be main source

23. REDD Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation
Potential for emissions reductions (tropical deforestation estimated at roughly 20 % annual share) and revenue generation
Uncertainties, monitoring and verification challenges
Risk of displacement of deforestation (‘leakage’); perverse incentives; need take into account different country situations

24. Land-use, land-use change and forestry Kyoto Protocol Arts. 3.3 & 3.4
LULUCF
Land-use, land-use change and forestry
Kyoto Protocol Arts. 3.3 & 3.4
Need for new rules for second commitment period
Concerns about making it too easy to obtain credits

25. Technology Transfer
Developing countries concerned about barriers posed by Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)
Expert Group on Technology Transfer (EGTT) – looking at performance indicators for implementation of technology transfer framework; financial resources

26. Capacity-building for developing countries
Under the Convention
Under the Kyoto Protocol
Comprehensive review of capacity-building under both items under way – for decision at COP 15/CMP 5

27. Second review of Protocol under Art.9
Differing views about the scope of the review - Umbrella Group wants comprehensive review.
Issues include:
Extending the share of proceeds to meet the cost of adaptation to JI and emissions trading
Flexibility mechanisms, including equitable regional distribution of CDM projects
Workshop in October, in Athens, Greece

28. COP 14/CMP4, 1-12 December, Poznan
Subsidiary Bodies also meet in Poznan - extremely busy
Intention that negotiations on emissions reductions for second commitment period begin
Second review of the Kyoto Protocol under Art. 9
Meeting schedule for 2009 will be confirmed

29. Between now and Copenhagen
A very busy schedule of meetings, including AWG-LCA, AWG-KP and regular Subsidiary Body meetings in Bonn
Need to be selective and focus on the most important issues

30. Thank you