WRI Stories Feed: COP 17: Durban

Four Key Issues to Watch During Bonn Climate Talks

Edward Cameron — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:24:53 -0400

Since the conclusion of the UN climate conference in Durban, South Africa (COP 17) last year, there has been robust debate on the merits of its outcomes.

Some…

A Look Back at the Durban Climate Talks

Athena Ballesteros — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:12:54 -0500

This post originally appeared in The Environmental Forum: The Policy Journal of the Environmental Law Institute.

The negotiations in South Africa were challenging and the politics…

Making the Most of a Second Chance: What Next for REDD+ Safeguards?

Florence Daviet — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:47:25 -0500

This piece was written with Gaia Larsen and Crystal Davis.

This spring, Parties to the UNFCCC must decide whether or not to continue discussions on the REDD+ safeguard information…

China At Durban: First Steps Toward a New Climate Agreement

Deborah Seligsohn — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:32:52 -0500

This post originally appeared on ChinaFAQs.org.

The UN Climate Conference in Durban, South Africa, concluded over the…

Reflections on COP 17 in Durban

Jennifer Morgan — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:26:48 -0500

Written with analysis from Athena Ballesteros, Louise Brown, Florence Daviet, Crystal Davis, Aarjan Dixit, Kelly Levin, Heather McGray, Remi Moncel, Clifford Polycarp, Kirsten Stasio, Fred Stolle, and Lutz Weischer…

Q&A: The Legal Aspects of the Durban Platform Text

Jacob Werksman — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:54:37 -0500

At the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Climate Change (COP-17) in Durban – “the longest COP ever” – Parties agreed to establish an Ad Hoc Working Group on a Durban Platform for Enhanced…

STATEMENT: A Climate Deal Comes Together in Durban

Michael Oko — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 22:40:27 -0500

As the climate talks concluded today, Parties agreed to move forward with a “Durban Package” that includes a pathway forward on a legally-binding instrument for all countries, an agreement on a second commitment for the Kyoto Protocol, and a set of decisions to implement the Cancun Agreements, including the Green Climate Fund.

Following is a statement by Jennifer Morgan, Director, Climate and Energy Program, World Resources Institute:

“A roller-coaster two weeks ended with a major climate deal in Durban. Significantly, countries will now negotiate a legally-binding agreement covering both developed and developing countries by 2015, which would cover post-2020 emissions targets and actions. However, there was little progress to close the significant gap between countries’ emissions levels and what’s needed to stay within two degrees Celsius of warming.

“Durban represented a fork in the road between a legally-binding system and a voluntary one. In the end, the European Union, the United States, China, India, along with vulnerable countries in Africa and small islands opted for a path toward an international climate regime.

“The European Union, in particular, came into the conference with a willingness to enter into a second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol. Working closely with allies in the least-developed countries and small island nations, the EU injected ambition into the talks. The result is a clear pathway for countries to enter the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol.

“Countries also pushed ahead with the implementation of the Cancun Agreements. Most notably, they agreed to make the Green Climate Fund operational, and set up a work plan to mobilize significant climate funds from both private and public sources. Currently, however, the funding level is insufficient to meet the commitments. Though details remain to be sorted out, there was also progress on other core issues, such as adaptation, REDD+, and technology.

“On the other hand, the lack of a common accounting framework for developed countries is a significant step backward. This will make it very difficult to know how countries targets compare against the 2 degrees Celsius goal.

“Finally, while negotiators forged a hard-won agreement, countries need to take further steps to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and shift to a lower-carbon and safer future.”

-End-

Note to reach Jennifer Morgan in Durban, Tel. +27 (0) 72 579 5783; jmorgan@wri.org

Dispatches from Durban: Lessons for Climate Negotiators from Africa Then and Now

Michael Oko — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:47:21 -0500

I touched down in Durban, South Africa, on Sunday night met by a cool tropical breeze. Since I arrived in this large port city, I’ve been thinking about Africa, which serves as a powerful backdrop for this year’s annual climate conference.

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Boosting International Action on Climate Change: Over 130 Options as a Start

Remi Moncel — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:47:10 -0500

This post was written in collaboration with Kevin McCall.

Despite the urgency of the climate challenge, emissions are still on the rise, and countries’ pledges to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG)…

Week Two in Durban Climate Talks: The Clock is Ticking

Edward Cameron — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:00:59 -0500

Three years ago, I attended a performance of Athol Fugard’s powerful play “My Children! My Africa!” Set in South Africa at the end of apartheid, the play deals with a conflict over the most effective means to address a great injustice….