The Kyoto Protocol is an extension of the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the world's first treaty to attempt to address global warming by limiting greenhouse gas emissions. The Protocol deals in detail with its first "commitment period", by the end of which most developed countries pledged to reduce their emissions by agreed amounts. This period is due to expire at the end of 2012. The treaty came into force on February 16, 2005. Discussions on how to proceed beyond Kyoto's first period have been ongoing as part of the UNFCCC process. High level talks, referred to by some as post-Kyoto negotiations were also held at the meeting of the G8+5 Climate Change Dialogue in February 2007.12
On June 7, 2007, leaders at the 33rd G8 summit issued a non-binding communiqué announcing that the G8 nations would 'aim to at least halve global CO2 emissions by 2050'. The details enabling this to be achieved would be negotiated by environment ministers within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in a process that would also include the major emerging economies. Groups of countries would also be able to reach additional agreements on achieving the goal outside and in parallel with the United Nations process.4 The G8 also announced their desire to use the proceeds from the auction of emission rights and other financial tools to support climate protection projects in developing countries.4
The agreement was welcomed by British Prime Minister Tony Blair as 'a major, major step forward'.5 French president Nicolas Sarkozy would have preferred a binding figure for emissions reduction to have been set.6 This was apparently blocked by U.S. President George W. Bush until the other major greenhouse gas emitting countries, like India and China, make similar commitments.7
As part of the schedule leading up to the September UN High-Level-Event, on July 31 the United Nations General Assembly opened its first-ever plenary session devoted exclusively to climate change, which also included prominent scientists and business leaders.8 The debate, at which nearly 100 nations spoke, was scheduled to last two days but was extended for a further day to allow a greater number of 'worried nations' to describe their climate-related problems.9
A round of climate change talks under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) concluded in Austria in 31 August 2007 with agreement on key elements for an effective international response to climate change. 1213
A key feature of the talks was a United Nations report that showed how energy efficiency could yield significant cuts in emissions at low cost.
The talks set the stage for a major international meeting held in Bali in December 2007.
September 2007 United Nations High-Level-Event
Alongside the meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, Secretary-GeneralBan Ki-moon is to hold informal high-level discussions on the post-Kyoto treaty on September 24. It is expected that these will pave the way for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, being held in Bali in December 2007.14 Three Special Envoys on Climate Change, appointed on May 1, 2007,15 are holding discussions with various governments to define and plan the event.14
In advance of the 'High-Level-Event', the Secretary-General hoped that world leaders would 'send a powerful political signal to the negotiations in Bali that “business as usual” will not do and that they are ready to work jointly with others towards a comprehensive multilateral framework for action'.16
Negotiations on a successor to the Kyoto Protocol dominated the 2007 United Nations Climate Change Conference conference. A meeting of environment ministers and experts held in June called on the conference to agree a road-map, timetable and 'concrete steps for the negotiations' with a view to reaching an agreement by 2009.20
Development of technologies will be important to reduce carbon emissions. Even if all carbon emissions stopped tomorrow, global warming would continue for the next 30 years. 28 James E. Rogers, CEO of Duke Energy and member of Copenhagen Climate Council said “It is a myth that we have the technologies to do the job. We don’t. New technologies are crucial as is further development of existing technology.” 29
Some media sources claim that the meeting will lead to empty promises without measurable goals. In a recent meeting of the Group of Eight G8, the world top leaders agreed to halve carbon emissions by 2050; however, they did not set specific targets because they did not agree on a base year. 30
However members of the climate council acknowledge that action needs to happen fast. “My personal view is that the future of humanity is at stake,” said Tim Flannery, Professor at Macquaire University and chairman of the Copenhagen Climate Council, in an interview with chinadialogue.net. 31
