Brussels, 12/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - All those who had feared a resounding failure at the Montreal Conference on Climate Change - with the 189 countries taking part in the eleventh conference of the parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP II) and those taking part at the first conference of the parties to the Kyoto Protocol (MOP 1) - were unexpectedly proven mistaken during the small hours Saturday. The Kyoto Protocol - the only binding instrument for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of industrialised countries (-5.2% of overall emissions in the run up to 2008-2012 compared to 1990), signed in 1997 by 140 countries and entering into effect in 2005, is not dead and buried. The 189 countries party to the United Nations Framework Convention not only confirmed the validity of the Protocol but also gave their assurance that it would last beyond 2012 when the first Protocol commitment period expires. After intense negotiation that the United States - the largest greenhouse gas producer and continuously hostile to the Protocol - threatened to prevent from success, the parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change signed an agreement whereby they undertake to launch formal talks on additional commitments for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for industrialised countries after 2002 and explore the contribution of emerging countries. The first ad hoc working groups with a view to the Kyoto 2, which would cover the period 2013 to 2017, are to meet in May 2006. The commitment was also taken to launch, in parallel, informal multilateral dialogue to improve long-term international cooperation for combating global warming within the United Nations Framework Convention. Naturally, the United States was able to ensure that such changes are in no way binding and do not lead to formal negotiations, but this dialogue has the merit of including the largest contributor to global warming, supporting promotion of clean technologies, as well as emerging countries such as China and India, and developing countries that, for now, are not bound by any binding commitments. Aware that, at this stage, one should not hope to change the direction taken by the Bush Administration, Stéphane Dion, Canada's Environment Minister who chaired the Montreal conference, had in mind that these parallel discussions should, in time, lead to the same goal - unless the White House changes its mind.
In addition to this agreement which is the major breakthrough of the Montreal meeting, participants definitively adopted the Marrakesh agreements finalising all arrangements for implementing the Kyoto Protocol, including the mechanism for controlling conformity of commitments and the sanctions that give the Protocol force of law. A decision relating to the strengthening of the clean development mechanism (a flexible mechanism that allows clean technologies to be transferred from industrialised countries to developing countries) and a decision establishing structures required for the functioning, in 2008, of a joint implementation of objectives mechanism between industrialised countries and transition economy countries were also adopted.
The European Commission welcomed the progress made. José Manuel Barroso welcomes these results and especially the constructive role played by the EU, Johannes Laitenberger, his spokesperson, told the press on Monday. Barbara Helfferisch, Spokesperson for Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas, said that the Kyoto Protocol is now entirely operational for 157 countries. What happened in Montreal is historic, she added, saying it was an agreement between 1000 delegates from 189 countries for reserving a future for the Kyoto Protocol. Discussions were very tough and an agreement on the post-2012 regime seemed impossible. The EU played an essential role by stressing that it has already reduced its emissions by 5.5% compared to 1990 (Ed.: its objective under the Protoco is to reduce them by 8%) whereas the emissions of the United States have increased by 13%. Ms Helfferisch went on to say that the pressure being put on the United States is growing. The EU has managed to convince not only the United States but also the developing countries that an agreement is needed.
The Kyoto Protocol is more alive than ever, Jennifer Morgan of WWF was pleased to say. The NGO members of the Climate Action Network (which groups Can Europe, Friends of the Earth International, Greenpeace and the WWF) are also pleased. The initial fear that the Montreal meeting would result in a poor agreement allowing the United States to place its veto at any moment on any real progress has now been put to one side. Bill Hare of Greenpeace said: “This is a historic meeting between the Kyoto Protocol parties. For the first time, all recognised how urgent this climate threat is, not only for the poorest of the planet but also, in time, for us all”.