The Kyoto Protocol lives on: Second commitment period secured in last minutes of Durban

The continuation of the Kyoto Protocol, a prerequisite for COP17’s success in Durban, was secured through a decision adopted by the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP). This decision is significant in at least three ways: it confirms the ongoing leadership of developed countries to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases; it means that the international response to climate change continues to fall within the remit of the current international legal system; and it ensures there will be a smooth transition between the first to the second commitment period with no regulatory gap.   More... 

Critical decisions reached on Annex I measurement, reporting and verification and non Annex I reporting and verification structures

Critical decisions were reached in Durban to further strengthen the measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) framework for Annex I Parties, and the reporting and verification structure for non Annex I Parties.   More...

Understanding of the diversity of nationally appropriate mitigation actions by developing country parties

At COP17, Parties agreed to continue, in 2012, with the workshop process that was launched in Cancun at COP16 to further the understanding of the diversity of submitted nationally appropriate mitigation actions by developing countries (NAMAs), including their underlying assumptions and any support needed for implementation.   More... 

Operationalizing the NAMA registry

Parties adopted the significant decision in Durban to operationalize the registry to record seeking international support, to facilitate the matching of financial, technological and capacity-building support for NAMAs, and to provide recognition of NAMAs.   More... 

Significant decisions related to mitigation at COP17

Forest management becomes a mandatory activity for the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, under a decision adopted by the CMP on the definitions, modalities, rules and guidelines relating to the treatment of land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) activities for this next period.   More... 

Agriculture to move to SBSTA in 2012 with eye on decisions at COP18

Under the AWG-LCA agenda item on sectors (cooperative sectoral approaches and sector specific actions in order to enhance article 4, paragraph 1(c), of the Convention), Parties agreed to launch work on matters related to agriculture under the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice at its thirty-sixth session, with the aim of adopting a relevant decision by the COP at its eighteenth session.   More... 

Work programme on response measures agreed; first forum to convene in May

Following more than 10 years of intense negotiations, Parties agreed on a decision on response measures at COP17, adopting the work programme under the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation, and establishing the forum to implement it.   More... 

Current flexible mechanisms safe; new market mechanism defined

COP17 in Durban marked a turning point for the climate change process. The CMP’s adoption of a second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol has meant that the future of market-based mechanisms – Clean Development Mechanism, Joint Implementation and international emissions trading – is secure, and the COP defined a new market-based mechanism.   More... 

Parties acknowledge significant, transformative developments in CDM

Parties confirmed the developments achieved in recent years in the way the future Clean Development Mechanism is to operate, particularly the use of standardized baselines, programmes of activities and taking account of future development paths in CDM projects.   More... 

Cancun Adaptation Framework operationalized in Durban

The Cancun Adaptation Framework was operationalized in Durban, with key steps taken to establish the Adaptation Committee, develop national adaptation plans (NAPs) and further the implementation of the work programme on loss and damage.   More...

New activities agreed under Nairobi work programme, private sector initiative database launched

In Durban, new activities on freshwater and ecosystem based adaptation were agreed under the Nairobi work programme, and the NWP Private Sector Initiative adaptation database was launched.   More...

Next steps agreed for the least developed countries work programme and implementation of NAPAs

Next steps were agreed on in Durban for the least developed countries work programme and further implementation of national adaptation programmes of action.   More...

Continuing the research dialogue and further funding climate observations

The COP requested the Global Environmental Facility to continue to provide financial resources to developing countries relevant to strengthening observation networks and capabilities under the Least Developed Countries Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund. Parties agreed to continue the research dialogue and hold the next dialogue at 36th session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice.   More...

Green Climate Fund launched in Durban

One of the major accomplishments of the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) in Durban was the launch of the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The GCF is to become the main fund for global climate change finance, in the context of mobilizing 100 billion USD by 2020.   More...

Standing committee to start work in 2012

At COP17, Parties decided that the Standing Committee would start work in 2012. Parties also further defined the Committee’s roles and functions and its composition and working modalities. In 2012, the Standing Committee will meet twice, the first meeting taking place before the 36th session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation.   More...

COP launches work programme on long-term finance in 2012

At COP17, Parties decided to undertake a work programme on long-term finance in 2012. Its aim is to make progress on long-term finance in the context of the COP16 commitment of developed countries to the goal of jointly mobilizing USD 100 billion per year by 2020 to address the needs of developing countries.   More...

Developments regarding the Adaptation Fund

CMP7 decided to complete the initial review of the Adaptation Fund at CMP8. The Subsidiary Body for Implementation, during its 36th session, will recommend a draft decision on the basis of the report on the Review of the Interim Arrangements of the Adaptation Fund. The two remaining regional workshops to assist in the accreditation of national implementing entities, planned for the Asia and the Pacific regions, will take place in the first half of 2012.   More...

Arrangements to make the Technology Mechanism fully operational in 2012

Parties agreed on key arrangements to make the Technology Mechanism fully operational in 2012 in Durban, including launching the selection process of the host of the Climate Technology Center as well as the modalities and procedures of the Technology Executive Committee.   More...

Call for proposals for hosting the Climate Technology Centre

The secretariat has issued a call for proposals for hosting the Climate Technology Centre (CTC), on 16 January 2012, as mandated by COP17. The CTC, along with its Network, is the implementing arm of the Technology Mechanism. Interested organizations are invited to submit their proposals by 16 March 2012.   More...

Technology Executive Committee sets out work plan and agrees on CTC evaluation panel

The second meeting of the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) took place in Bonn, Germany, from 15 to 17 February 2012. It achieved its four main objectives and delivered its planned activities, which included agreeing on the rolling work plan of the TEC for 2012-2013.   More...

The Durban Forum on Capacity-building: a new institution is born

Parties in Durban established an institutional arrangement for capacity-building and agreed on ways to enhance its monitoring and review. The Durban Forum on Capacity-building, one of the major outcomes of COP17, is the first institutional arrangement in the history of the Convention that allows for the direct interaction of all actors engaged in the delivery of capacity building for mitigation and adaptation actions in developing countries.   More...

Parties establish the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action

In a major consensus-building effort led by the South African COP Presidency, the Durban Conference reached agreement on establishing the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action. Its aim is to develop, by 2015, a new protocol, another legal instrument or an agreed outcome with legal force under the Convention applicable to all Parties. It also launched a workplan to raise the level of mitigation ambition.   More...

The Kyoto Protocol extended for a second commitment period

Throughout 2011, the extension of the Kyoto Protocol was seen by many as one of the necessary outcomes of the Durban Conference. Parties engaged in tense negotiations until the very end of the Conference, which resulted in agreement to a second commitment period beginning 1 January 2013 along with other important decisions.   More...

AWG-LCA outcome firms up implementation of mitigation and adaptation action, and support

As part of the Durban Package, COP17 also adopted the AWG-LCA Outcome, which significantly advances the implementation infrastructure for delivering on the Bali pillars, encompassing enhanced action on mitigation and adaptation, and the finance, technology and capacity-building support for these actions.   More...

Climate science and the state of our climate

2012 is predicted to be slightly warmer than 2011, and one of the top ten warmest years on record. Global CO2 emissions grew 5.9% in 2010. The summary for policymakers of the IPCC SREX points to a likely increase in frequency of heavy precipitation over many regions, and very likely increase in frequency, length, and/or intensity of heat waves in most land areas. The full report will be available in March 2012.   More...

"Between now and 2015, the policy-making process needs encouragement – encouragement through concrete action..."

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 19 January 2012

"...Action has already begun. Action that we need more of to move us closer to the energy revolution that we need." In a statement at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, Christiana Figueres highlighted the trend towards ever-greater investment into renewable energy even in absence of policy perfection, and urged businesses to use its power to shore up powerful support that gives policy makers a clearer space in which to act.   More...