Brussels, 06/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - From 6 to 17 November, some 189 countries will be meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, at a United Nations ministerial conference to discuss how to save the planet from global warming and try to agree on how to implement the commitments they have already made to tackle this crucial problem and boost efforts to seriously deal with climate change. This will be the first world climate change conference held in sub-Saharan Africa and accordingly it will have a special focus on the needs of Africa and other developing countries. The Nairobi meeting comprises two conferences held simultaneously: the12th conference (COP-12) of the 189 Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the 2nd Meeting (COP/MOP-2) of the 166 Parties to the Convention's Kyoto Protocol.
The summit will start by focussing on helping vulnerable countries, especially developing countries and the African continent, to adapt to climate change. The other key agenda topic will be discussion of what further action the international community (including emerging economies and developing countries) should take to combat climate change after 2012, when the Kyoto Protocol emission targets expire. Under the Kyoto Protocol, only industrialised countries were expected to meet binding targets to cut six gases which cause the greenhouse effect (a 5% overall reduction on 1990 emissions; an 8% reduction for the EU).
In line with the negotiating mandate decided for him by the Council, EU Environment Minister Stavros Dimas will be attending the ministerial section of the summit on 15 to 17 November to defend the position recently taken by the EU25 environment ministers at the last Environment Council (see EUROPE 9293).
In a press release, the Commissioner noted: “Climate change threatens catastrophic impacts that will transform the world we live in. Developing countries in Africa and elsewhere are likely to be hit hardest by climate change but they are the ones least able to cope. The Nairobi conference is an important opportunity to support them. We must take concrete steps to help developing countries adapt to climate change and thus reduce its risks.” He added: “Climate change is already happening and there are signs that its pace is accelerating. Kyoto is a first step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions but the international community will need to take much more ambitious action after 2012. Although it is too early to expect major breakthroughs, the Nairobi Conference must make good progress towards shaping an international consensus on the next steps. The recent Stern Review shows it makes perfect economic sense for us to act as quickly as possible. There is no reason for further delay."
To help vulnerable countries adapt to climate change, the EU wants to see final agreement reached in Nairobi on a detailed five-year programme of work on adaptation activities. Agreement is also needed on the management arrangements and governance for a new Adaptation Fund so that concrete adaptation projects can be implemented as soon as possible. This fund could be worth more than €350 million between 2008 and 2012. The EU also wants to see initiatives taken in Nairobi to encourage a more equitable global distribution of emission saving projects carried out under the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to promote the transfer of clean technologies to developing countries.
When it comes to post-2012 action, at the last world climate conference, last December in Montreal, the EU succeeded in getting a global agreement to launch discussions on future action. These began in May in Bonn and are following two parallel 'tracks'. All Parties to the Kyoto Protocol are discussing new emission targets for industrialised countries to succeed the current targets that must be met by 2012. In parallel, all Parties to the Convention, including the US which has not ratified Kyoto, are taking part in a two-year dialogue on long-term cooperative action against climate change in the form of four workshops. The EU wants these two sets of discussions to build consensus on a global pact for controlling climate change in the period after 2012.
The EU wants the review of the Kyoto Protocol to focus on making improvements to the functioning of the CDM and other market-based mechanisms, like the carbon trading system (which the EU is planning to extend to emissions sources not yet covered, like aviation).
In a press release, Friends of the Earth International (FoE) urges the world's governments to decide on a clear plan of action for post-2012, address all aspects of the Montreal Action Plan and agree on a new Adaptation Fund to finance projects on the ground in developing countries to help manage the impact of climate change. FoE also wants rich countries to pay more to help poor countries tackle climate change. (an)